FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENTH

Jesus makes himself present to us in the Holy Eucharist so that we can be in communion with him and with one another. And so the final part of the Mass is the Communion Rite. In order to receive Christ worthily we must first of all be baptized members of his church and free of serious sin. Many of us remember a time when Catholics regularly went to Confession before receiving Holy Communion, in order to be worthy to receive the Lord. Today, reception of Communion seems more casual, like getting in line because everyone else is doing it. Jesus makes himself vulnerable in this sacrament: we can give offense to God by a lax disposition, and we miss out on the grace of the sacrament if we are not properly disposed. St. Paul writes: "whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27)

The Communion Rite begins with the Lord's Prayer and continues with the ancient practice of exchanging a sign of peace with one another. Both of these acts underline the fact that we are called by the Lord to be a community of believers and not just individual worshippers. Keep in mind, though, that the Sign of Peace is not intermission or time to catch up on the week's news. It is a sacred moment of communion among the faithful as we prepare to enter into communion with the Lord.

EASTER BRUNCH AND RAFFLE
The eighth annual Spring Brunch sponsored by the Men's Club will be held on Sunday morning, May 1, from 9:30 to 11:00 am. All are invited to come, before or after Mass, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast and fellowship. A raffle drawing will be held during the brunch, with prizes of a 24" flat panel HD television, microwave oven, $50 restaurant card and more. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and are available from Men's Club members and the church office.

POSITION OPEN
Sr. Jeanne Barasha, SSND will be leaving her position as Pastoral Administrator of St. Ann Church in June. A parish Search Committee is soliciting applications for the position, which is responsible for the overall administrative services of the parish under the pastor. A full job description is available by calling St. Ann's at 410-235-8169. Applications are due by April 30.

DANIEL RUDD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Office of African-American Catholic Ministries has begun a scholarship fund to help the children of our parishes attend Catholic Schools. The goal is to raise $20,000 to fund the program through a raffle, with a winning prize of $10,000 and the remaining $10,000 to be awarded in scholarships. Only 200 tickets will be sold, at $100 each (ministry groups may choose to buy a ticket together). St. Wenceslaus parish and the Franciscans have purchased tickets. More are available by calling the office. Drawing is scheduled for July 11.

POPE JOHN PAUL II MOVIE
A film "Nine Days that Changed the World" will be shown on Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 pm at Holy Rosary Church, 408 S. Chester St. It tells the story of the revolution in Poland in June of 1979.

INVESTMENT CLUB WINNERS
Week 5
$100-Hattie Boone #1714                  Seller: subscription
$25-Rosalie Hand #1489                            Seller: church
$25- Bridget Holley #1750                 Seller: subscription

PREVIEW OF HOLY WEEK

Our final Friday evening service before Good Friday will be a Preview of Holy Week. This is the most sacred week of the year, and the liturgical services are rich in tradition and symbolism. But we may miss some of the benefits of this week if we are not fully aware of what it all means. At 6:00 pm on Friday evening, April 15, we will preview the services from Palm Sunday to Easter so that we may celebrate them with greater understanding and devotion. This would be a teachable moment for our children and youth, as well as adults.

PENNIES FOR PEACE
As mentioned last Sunday there is a large water jug in the vestibule to collect pennies (and other coins) to be used in our Gun Buy-Back program. Last Sunday's second collection brought in $760 for peacemaking projects. Remember the prayer and fasting part of our peace efforts as well.

DONATIONS OF FOOD
As the Outreach Center prepares for the distribution of Easter baskets, your gifts of non perishable food will be greatly appreciated. They can be left in the baskets in the back of the church.

HOLY WEEK MINISTRIES

MASS INTENTIONS

READINGS NEXT SUNDAY

PREPARING FOR HOLY WEEK
Please add your name to the list in the back of the church if you wish to attend the Seder Service at St. Ann's (Mother Seton Academy building) on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00 pm.

There is also a list for volunteers to take part in the washing of feet at St. Wenceslaus on Holy Thursday evening.

The church bus will operate for the services of Holy Week if it is needed. Please call the office to be placed on the bus list.

We welcome volunteers to help in decorating the church for Easter on Good Friday evening, beginning at 7:00 pm.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
April 17, Palm Sunday
Blessing and distribution of palms at both Masses.
Monday, April 18
Mass and Blessing of the Holy Oils at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, April 20
Seder (Passover) Service at St. Ann, 7:00 pm
Holy Thursday, April 21
Mass of the Lord's Supper, with washing of feet and procession of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Wenceslaus, 7:00 pm
Good Friday, April 22
12:00 noon. Outdoor Way of the Cross with Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
3:00 pm Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at St. Ann
Holy Saturday, April 23
Easter Vigil and Mass at 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday, April 24. Masses at 8:30 and 11:15