Around the Parish
Blessing of the Easter Food, Holy Saturday, April 3 at 1:00 PM.
A traditional Easter Food basket contains:
BUTTER – This favorite dairy product is often shaped into a lamb or a cross. This reminds us of the goodness of Christ that we should have toward all things. EASTER BREAD – A round loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is our true Bread of Life.
HORSERADISH – Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds but sweetened with some sugar because of the Resurrection.
EGGS –(decorated with the symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) – Indicate new life and Christ’s Resurrection from the tomb.
SAUSAGE – A spicy pork sausage, indicative of God’s favor and generosity.
HAM –Symbolic of great joy and abundance. Some prefer lamb or veal. The lamb also reminds Catholics that the Risen Christ is the “Lamb of God”.
SMOKED BACON – A symbol of the overabundance of God’s mercy and generosity. SALT – A necessary element in our physical life, that Jesus used its symbolism: “You are the salt of the earth.”
CHEESE –Shaped into a ball, it is the symbol of the moderation Christians should have at all times.
CANDLE – A candle is inserted into the basket to represent Christ, the Light of the World.
A colorful ribbon and sometimes sprigs of greenery are attached. A linen cover is drawn over the top and it is ready for the priest’s visit or the trek to church where it is joined with the baskets of others to await the blessing that will render it fit for consumption on Easter Sunday
Divine Mercy Sunday, April 11, 2021
Divine Mercy Sunday celebration will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021 after the 11:30 Mass, at 12:30 PM. Liturgy will include Mass, Eucharistic Exposition, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Talk, and Benediction.
Remember: If you go to confession during the Lenten or Easter Season you fulfill the obligation for confession for Mercy Sunday.
Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist, Tuesday, April 6 from 6-8 pm in the Church. The Knights of Columbus invite you to spend some time with Jesus.
Faith Formation Class Schedule
April 18: GIFT class, 10:30 -11:30
April 13: TUES class, 6-7 PM
Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries 2021. We have met our goal for 2021! Additional pledges are welcome. Thank you to all who have participated in St. Mary’s 2021 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries, Joyful in Hope. To date we have received pledges of $48,045.
When you give to the Annual Appeal, you now, you provide additional, much needed, support to St. Edwards, our sister parish, while also strengthening ministries that serve our neighbors throughout our entire Archdiocese. If you have yet to make a pledge or gift, please do so by completing and mailing your envelope to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, or give online at https://www.archbalt.org/appeal/give/. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Father Kunkel's 50th (51st) Anniversary Update. May 23, 11:30 AM, Mass with Archbishop Lori.
The celebration dinner is canceled. If you have paid for the dinner, please contact Barbara Sadler (bsadler@stmaryspylesville.org) to request a refund or to convert your payment to a donation to the parish. Donations will be credited to your 2021 donations for tax purposes.
Cemetery Guidelines during Mowing Season During mowing season flowers can only be in vases on the side next to the stone; on the head stone or over the head stone. There cannot be any planting of flowers or shrubs in the cemetery. Also, no glass containers or ornaments on the ground; only on the head stone and attached securely. We will have no choice but to remove the above items if the guidelines are not followed. Thank you.
Outreach
Our Daily Bread. Thanks to everyone who took pans and returned the frozen casseroles to the Parish freezer. On March 15th, we delivered half of the casseroles, 25 homemade masks, and 103 single serve cereal boxes to ODB. The rest of the casseroles will be delivered to ODB on April 5th.
If you took a pan and haven't returned the frozen casserole, please do so by March 31st.
Our next distribution of casserole pans will be held on May 8 and 9 at the Masses.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob at crhoopert@zoominternet.net.
Easter Food Project. Thanks to everyone who donated groceries and money for Easter. The groceries for our families have been moved over to the Mason-Dixon Community Services office in Delta. And we were able to help restock our Parish Pantry.
The Food Pantry
Thanks to the generosity of the parish, in March, the food pantry served 11 families, 34 people.
The food pantry will be open on Saturday, April 17, from 10:00 until 11:30.
Respect Life
Fifth Month (size: about 12 inches)
This month marks the half-way point to birth, and the baby is very active. Sleep habits develop and his mother can feel him move and stretch, particularly when she is resting. He is big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside uterine wall and dent it. Up to now, although he swam with ease in his watery world, he was too small for her to detect because the outside wall of the uterus has no feeling. Babies born at this age have survived. Continue to pray for your “adopted” Little One!
This month marks the half-way point to birth, and the baby is very active. Sleep habits develop and his mother can feel him move and stretch, particularly when she is resting. He is big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside uterine wall and dent it. Up to now, although he swam with ease in his watery world, he was too small for her to detect because the outside wall of the uterus has no feeling. Babies born at this age have survived. Continue to pray for your “adopted” Little One!
40 Days for Life February 17 - March 28 Participants pray at the Belair Beltway Plaza at 7600 Belair Road, 7am-7pm. Whole Woman’s Health, the abortion center in the back corner of the plaza boasts “Abortion pill (at home).” Join in prayer, in person or at home, to close this and all abortion centers.
PRAY the Rosary and ACT to end abortion for the good of all people.
Take Action on State Legislation:
Maryland: Go to www.mdrtl.org and sign up for ACTION ALERTS. Contact your legislators and politely express your opposition to abortion. www.mgaleg.maryland.gov click on MEMBERS and Find My Representative.
Pennsylvania: Go to www.paprolife.org/join-one, scroll down and sign up. Contact your legislators and politely express your opposition to abortion. Pennsylvania: www.legis.state.pa.us On the General Assembly page, go to Find My Legislator.
Rachel’s Vineyard is a post-abortion ministry. If you seek healing from the wounds of an abortion, contact www.rachelsvineyard.org or 877-467-3463.
News from the Archdiocese
Pontifical Good Friday Collection. Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Your support helps the church minister in parishes, provide Catholic Schools and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines. The wars, unrest and instability have been especially hard on Christians. In these times of crisis, the Pontifical Good Friday Collection provides humanitarian aid to refugees. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you become an instrument of peace and join the Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church and the Holy Land. For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday.
PLEASE BE GENEROUS!
PLEASE BE GENEROUS!
"I believe that morally everyone must take the vaccine."
Perpetual Adoration at the Basilica (409 Cathedral Street) Beginning May 31, 2021 the Basilica of the Assumption will launch Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. This will be the first time Baltimore City has ever had perpetual adoration! Please sign-up for an hour and pray for our City, our Country and our Church. The Basilica will have security around the clock. At night, a security guard will walk you to your car. Everything is well lit and secure. Only scheduled adorers will get a code to access the adoration chapel. Everything you need to know about adoration at the Basilica can be found here: www.americasfirstcathedral.org/adoration/ To sign up for an hour of adoration, go to www.adorationpro.org/baltimorebasilica and select “Weekly Commitment.” For more information, contact Ana Farias at ana.farias@baltimorebasilica.org or (410) 547-3149.
Year of St. Joseph
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, July 25. Pope Francis has instituted a Church-wide celebration in honor of the elderly. Starting this year, it will be held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus.
Plenary Indulgence Pilgrimage.
Archbishop Lori encourages Catholics to make a pilgrimage to one or more of the nine churches in our archdiocese named in honor of St. Joseph. An indulgence for the Year of St. Joseph will be offered for visits to the churches named for the saint.
One special feature of this decree is an invitation to participate in a spiritual retreat that includes meditation on St Joseph and contemplation of the Lord's Prayer. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore that are dedicated to St Joseph are opening their doors to pilgrims throughout this Year of St. Joseph.