Sunday, March 21st - The Fifth Sunday of Lent
CHEERS! - A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Cheers!
Last week was a busy week: we had those three special events — St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day and the First Day of Spring. And, on Tuesday through Friday, we had all the members of the Sophomore Class of Bishop Gorman High School, here from 8:15 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Their program consisted of four days of recollection — a time of prayer, reflection, music and Scripture, including a Penance Service. We have already had this same experience for the Freshmen and Senior Classes; the Juniors will have their Days of Recollection in April. I enjoy having the Gorman students here: they bring a lot of youthful energy and enthusiasm!
Next week, we have one major feast on Thursday, March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord. This feast celebrates the event in Mary’s life, when the angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth and asked her to become the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. Mary’s “Yes” allowed the Son of God to take flesh in Mary’s womb: the mystery we call “the Incarnation”. Each time WE say “Yes” to God’s will, we too can bring Christ’s presence into our midst. Try to attend Mass on this beautiful feast day (still need to pre-register online); or, at least, honor Mary in some way at home — perhaps the recitation of the Rosary.
Then, next Sunday, we begin the most sacred week of the year: Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday. Please check this bulletin elsewhere to see the entire Holy Week schedule. Remember, last year— because of the pandemic —we could not have anyone in the Church for Palm Sunday or for the Triduum celebrations. This year, we are still limited — on Palm Sunday — in the number allowed, that is, 500, but that’s better than none! Of course, if you cannot attend, you can watch it live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 — or anytime after that through our website or on YouTube or Facebook. We will give out palm branches at the end of the Masses: our ministers will be gloved to ensure a safe procedure. We will designate an in-between time to distribute palm branches to those who could not attend. You will be notified of this though an email sometime next week.
Again, please make plans to attend as many of our Holy Week liturgies as possible. I’ll give more information in next week’s bulletin about Easter Sunday services.
Have a great week! God bless you.
Fr. Bill
NEWS FROM THE PARISH
Seating Capacity
Church seating capacity remains at 400 people even with the governors increase in overall percentage. To maintain social distancing of 6-feet between households, 400 total people at Mass will remain the capacity.
Dispensation Extension
The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass has been extended to April 4th, 2021.
Weekly Mass signups are emailed out each week on Wednesday at 7pm. Signups can also be accessed through our website.
We are here to serve you. Please offer any other suggestions by placing a comment to this email as to what you would like to see in this bulletin.
Do you need a prayer? Would you like to pray for someone? You can reply directly to this email (which will create a private comment) or click the 'Reply' button to leave a public comment.
We are united to one another through our prayer. We are praying for you. You are not alone.
LENT 2021 RESURRECTING HOPE
Daily Reflections from the Lenten Book "Here I Am, Lord" posted on Facebook, YouTube, and the website. (Book available in the Gift Store)
"Les Miserables" Bible Study with Fr. Bill in the Church + Live Stream
Every Wednesday, 7pm - 8pm
Stations of the Cross - Every Friday 6:00-6:30pm in the Church
Taize Prayer with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - March 23rd at 7pm
Lenten Reconciliation Night - Thursday, March 11th at 6pm
"Drive-Thru" Fish Frys - Last one! March 26th 5pm - 7pm
MOMENT OF THE WEEK
It is no secret that St. Patrick's Day is one of Fr. Bill's all time favorite holidays, and, why wouldn't it be, with his Irish roots. So, in celebration of this wonderful day, Fr. Bill began with Mass wearing his green in any way that he could. Just before Mass began on Wednesday, Fr. Bill also found a leprechaun...or Anna...not quit Irish, but being English and Scottish, it's close enough.
PSALM 8: A REFLECTION
The theme of this years Confirmation Retreat was called "Discovery" and was all about how we discover the presence of God in our lives, and once we do, what effect it has on who we are and how we live. A variety of different videos were used and shown throughout this retreat to engage the participants. The video below is a reflection video that was used at the very beginning of the retreat. It is based on Psalm 8 and a very powerful reflection. It was created by Core Team Leader & A/V Tech Aidan Niehoff.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
What do you typically have for your Easter Meal?
Traditional Ham Dinner
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Lamb Dinner
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Some Type of Chicken or Beef
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Easter Brunch
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Feel free to add your opinions, feedback, and suggestions in the comments section.
Last weeks (March 14th) Question Results: #1 Irish Food
GOSPEL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Read the Readings from this Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Lent
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33
Use the following discussion/reflection questions in your families, with your spouse, your friends, or even as personal journal questions:
1.Why must we die to self and Christ for there to be fruit? Does it need to be a physical death?
2. What does serving and following Christ look like on a day-to-day basis? What are the qualities of a person who serves Christ?
3. Who in your life lives and dies for Christ, daily? What kind of fruits do you see in their life? How have those fruits affected you?
4. Are there any areas in your life that need to die in order for you to better follow Christ and deepen your relationship with Him?
WEEKLY WORSHIP
"I choose to worship, I choose to bow, though there’s pain in the offering I lay it down. Here in the conflict when doubt surrounds, though my soul is unravelling I choose You now. I will praise You through the fire through the storm and through the flood, there is nothing that could ever steal my song. In the valley You are worthy You are good when life is not, You will always and forever be my song" - Rend Collective
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St. Joseph.” It is a wonderful opportunity to increase our love for St. Joseph and knowledge, “to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal" (Patris Corde).
ANGEL TREE 2020
November 28th - December 13th
This year’s Angel Tree project will be a little different. As you are aware several things are different from prior years: We are practicing social distancing and many schools have not reopened. Many families are without jobs through no fault of their own. The agencies are at a disadvantage since they must use fewer volunteers to assist in their Christmas gift giving programs. We are limited in space for storage and the number of volunteers we can use at one time. Therefore, we are asking everyone to try something new this year…
After all the Masses on the weekend of November 21st & 22nd, volunteers will be handing out a special Angel tag as you leave Mass. Please consider taking one or two to help a child in need this Christmas. If you are unable to attend Mass and watch virtually, we have inserted an Angel tag in the bulletin that you can print, cut out and attach to your stocking. We will also leave some Angels in a basket in the gathering space of the church if you attend morning Mass during the week.
Here is what we are asking:
Please purchase a 16”-18” Christmas stocking and a Target, Walmart, Visa, etc. gift card (minimum $25). Please be sure to write the amount of your gift card somewhere on the card. You may choose the age and gender (newborn - teenagers) of your Angel just be sure to write that information on the back of the Angel. Put the gift card in the stocking and fill the rest of the stocking with little fun items you think your Angel would enjoy receiving. For many children this might be the only gift they will receive this year. After you have purchased the items and filled your stocking attach your Angel tag to the stocking and follow the directions on the back of the Angel tag. It is important that you give your stocking to one of the volunteers either on Wednesdays or on the weekend before all the Masses.
If you are unable to shop or would like us to shop for you, please put your donation (checks payable to Holy Spirit) in an envelope and label it “Angel Tree”. You can also go online to our website www.holyspiritlv.org, go to “Give On Line” and select “Angel Tree. Donations in the Poor Box will also assist with this project.
Thank you for rising to this new challenge and making this Christmas special for many deserving children. God bless you!
"Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation."
-Pope Francis
Prayer to Saint Joseph
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
Have you seen? Our gift shop now has Lenten "Resurrecting Hope" masks, Crown of Thorns silicon bracelets, First Communion masks, and lots of Confirmation and First Communion Gifts. Stop by to check it out!
Gift Shop Hours:
Open after all weekend liturgies and
Monday - Friday 8am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm
Saturdays 8am -12pm
Saturdays 8am -12pm
A WELL-BUILT FAITH
Mondays 7:00 - 8:00pm
This 13-week series is for the following:
1. Catechumens: those adults, NEVER BAPTIZED, who wish to join the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Candidates: those adults, ALREADY BAPTIZED in another Christian denomination, who wish to join the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Confirmandi: those adults who are CATHOLIC, but have never received First Communion and/or Confirmation.
4. Other interested adults: ANYONE who wants to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe (This book will be available at the sessions)
Schedule:
March 22nd: Prayer
March 29th: The Lord's Prayer & Conclusion
Final Two Sessions of Well Built Faith!
These sessions will be Live Streamed. Link on our Website.
OUR COMMUNITY
Below is information about Holy Spirit! Access the information by clicking on the links below. If, for any reason, you cannot find what you are looking for, please call our office 702-459-7778
OUR MINISTRIES
Below is information about some of our ministries and groups at Holy Spirit. Access this information by clicking on the links below. For additional information, please call our office 702-459-7778
WAYS TO GIVE
IN PERSON: Drop it off at the office or Use the kiosk in the lobby of the Church
AT MASS: Put it in the collection basket at the altar steps when you attend Mass
MAIL: Send it through the mail (5830 Mesa Park Drive, LV, NV 89135)
ONLINE: Use our on-line e-tithing system (www.holyspiritlv.org); click “On-line Giving”
BY PHONE: Text "Assist" to (702)500-1938
Thank you for your generosity to Your parish!
"We are born to love, we live to love, and we will die to love still more"
St. Joseph Cafasso