1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Parish Stewardship
Feb. 28-March 1: $15,549.00
March 2, 2014: $15,244.93
March 3, 2013: $12,475.00
The collection that is taken up each weekend is
the life support for our church community. The
ministries and events listed on the calendar are
supported by your donations. Thank you for
your generosity.
PARISH CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Monday, March 9, 2015
10:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Prayer Shawl Group—Finnegan Room
Sewing Group—Finnegan Room
Bible Study—Coll Room
1st Eucharist Retreat—Church Basemt.
Bible Study—Finnegan Room
Prayer Shawl Group—Fritz Room
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
9:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
ProLife Group—Fritz Room
We The Living Group—Finnegan Rm.
Contemp. Ensb. Rehearsal—Church
ProLife Group—Fritz Room
Liturgy Board Mtg.—Parish Office
Tues. Eve. Bible Study—Kitchenette
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
10:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Bible Study—Finnegan Room
PREP
RCIA—Finnegan Room
Stations and Benediction —Church
Choir Rehearsal—Church
Lenten Reconciliation Service
Our parish will celebrate God’s
forgiveness with a Reconciliation Service on
Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the church.
Additional Confessions will be held:
• Saturdays in Lent from 4—4:45 p.m. (except
on Holy Saturday)
• Fri., April 3, after the 3 p.m. service to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m. to noon
Pray the Rosary during Lent
Women of the Parish
Let’s join together in prayer on the
second Thursday of each month to say
the Rosary. We’ll meet this Thursday,
March 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the chur ch.
Any questions? You can email Bonnie
Preisler at bchristeinpreisler@yahoo.com
or call her at 484-851-3473.
•
Parishioners are welcome to join the Respect
Life group every Tuesday morning after the
8:15 a.m. Mass for the Rosary.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
3:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Youth Choir rehearsal—Church
Boy Scouts—Basement
CODA—Fritz Room
Co-ed Adult Volleybl—Hanlon Center
Friday, March 13, 2015
6:00 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
Top Gun Group—Finnegan Room
Stations and Benediction—Church
Saturday, March 14, 2015
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Confessions—Church
Shopkeepers rehearsal
Sunday, March 15, 2015
8:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
PREP
Adult Ed. Series—Finnegan Room
Retreat Team Meeting
The next parish Pro-Life meeting will be held
this Tuesday, March 10. We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m.
AND we’ll meet at 7:00 p.m. Both meetings will
be held in the Fritz Room (in the church
basement). Choose which time best fits your
schedule.
• See today’s bulletin insert for information on
the 40 Days for Life campaign.
For more information, contact Lisa Temple at
281-507-8912 or email her at
lisa_temple3@yahoo.com.
Mission Statement
The Church of the Assumption B.V.M. is dedicated to becoming a community of disciples of Jesus Christ. As
disciples we make Jesus Christ a living reality in the lives of the members of our parish family. By guiding and
encouraging our people to discipleship through a heightened awareness of our Lord’s presence in their lives, the
parish community becomes a visible and active expression of the living Christ in our world today.
Assumption Parish Staff
Parish Office: 610-867-7424 - ext. 10
Rev. Msgr. Nevin Klinger J.C.L., M.A., Pastor
Deacon Don Elliott, ext. 18
Saint Michael the Archangel School: 610-867-8422
Dr. Joanne LoFaso, Principal; Mrs. Colleen Weiss, Assistant Principal
Assumption Preschool, Carol Barron, M. S., Director: 610-867-7892
Christina Durback, DRE: Parish & St. Michael Middle School: 610-814-0712
Dr. Dennis Varley: Director of Music: 610-282-1872
Mary Williams/Parish Office – x10, Email: abvmrect@ptd.net
Kate Varley –Room Scheduling/Bulletin – x11, Email: abvmkate@ptd.net
ShareCare Faith-In-Action—610-867-7424 x19
Parish Bible Study Groups focus on “The Gospel of
Matthew” and meet the following times:
• Monday evenings, 6:30-8 p.m. in the Finnegan
Room
• Monday afternoons, 1-2:30 p.m. in the Coll Room
• Wed. mornings, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Finnegan
Room
DVD Adult Religious Education Series “Catholicism”
featuring Fr. Robert Barron. This series scans 50
locations in 15 countries and explores the beauty and
depths of the Catholic faith. Join us on Sunday
mornings, 8:30-9:50 a.m. in the Finnegan Room.
Join at any time. If interested, call Larry Durback at
610-867-7424 x12 or email ldurback@gmail.com.
Our best wishes go out to Lily
Catherine Elliott who was brought
into our faith through Baptism on
February 28. Nathaniel James Barlogio was
baptized on March 1. May they carry their newly
acquired Christian dignity through this life and into
the next.
ABVM PREP is collecting canned tuna for ar ea
food banks. Please bring your donations to the
Religious Education Office by March 26.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
When:
Time:
Where:
Cost:
Saturday, March 21, 2015
6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Hanlon Center
$15.00 per ticket
The price includes dinner catered byThe Meadows, Beer, Soda and entertainment.
Dinner Menu: Potato Leek Soup, Corned Beef, Ham, Cabbage, Irish Potatoes, Shepherd’s Pie
and dessert.
Entertainment: Live music provided by Amárach, Step Dancers from the O’Grady Quinlan
Academy, and ceili dancing (group dancing) instruction.
BYOB: If you are not interested in the complimentary beer or soda, you can bring your own
libations!
Tickets will be on sale after weekend Masses. Tickets are also on sale in the parish
office. Tickets can not be purchased at the door.
www.st-mikes.com
Dr. Joanne LoFaso, Principal
Mrs. Colleen Weiss,
Assistant Principal
Sowing Seeds of
Faith, Hope and Love!
REGISTRATION FOR K -8 OPEN
Any family wishing to register their child for
enrollment at St. Michael the Archangel School
may contact the Advancement Office for
registration information for the 2015-16 school
year. Limited seats are available in all grades.
Transportation is available from most areas.
Transfer grants and tuition assistance are both
available to qualifying families. Contact Marianne
Gano, Advancement Director for more
information at 610-867-8422.
APOSTLESHIP AWARDS
The Apostleship Award is given to two students
from each grade who exemplify what a Catholic
student should be about. The students do well in
their academics, set good example, have strong
leadership skills, and walk in their faith. The
faculty voted for those students who best fit these
criteria. The winners of the Apostleship Awards
for the School Year 2014-2015 are as follows:
Grade 5: Kendall Cioffi and Owen Westwood
Grade 6: Br endan Gemelli and J olie Lanning
Grade 7: Isabel Calaba and Emma Sweter litsch
Grade 8: Rhyan J oyce and Anne Salva
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
ST MICHAEL’S COMING EVENTS
3/14/15 Night of Knights at DeSales University
Call the Advancement Office for ticket
information at 610-867-8422.
CONFIRMATION 2015 SPECIAL
PREPARATION SESSION REMINDER:
Monday, 23 March, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Candidates
meet in the church basement; sponsors meet in
church. This session is mandatory for
candidates. Sponsors are urged to attend if they
live in the area. If a sponsor is unable to attend
this practice, please send someone else (older
sibling/parent) in the sponsor’s place to fill him/
her in on the details.
Our PREP children and youth are participating in a
“Water for a Quarter” campaign for the
Missionary Childhood Association this Lent.
Mindful that many children throughout the world
have no choice but to drink dirty, contaminated
water to quench their thirst, our children are
collecting quarters for MCA to offer hope and the
love of Jesus to those in need throughout our
world. By their prayers and donations, our young
people will experience the difference they can
make to others and learn what it means to be a
missionary for Christ.
First Eucharist Retreat: Monday, 9 Mar ch,
4:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the church social hall. All First
Eucharist candidates are expected to attend.
Parents, please bring your child’s banner (if it is
ready) to this evening of faith, friendship, and fun.
PREP Families: If you did not attend Stations
on 20 February, we encourage you to attend
another Lenten Wednesday or Friday Stations of
the Cross at 7 p.m. in the church. Please remember
to submit your Stations of the Cross attendance
sheet, as family attendance at Stations at least once
during Lent is considered part of the PREP
curriculum.
Thank you to the teens and adults who assisted
with set up and clean up for First Reconciliation,
and for the youth who presented the Gospel during
the service. What wonderful servants of God you
are!
If you would like to be a “prayer partner” for one
of our children who will receive First Eucharist
this April, please take a card form the basket on
the windowsill near the side entrance of church.
All it takes is an “Our Father” each day.
Give God five minutes of your day.
Weekly Sales: Feb. 23-Mar. 1: $2,400.00
Weekly Goal: $10,000.00
Monday, March 9: St. Frances of Rome
8:15 a.m.
Jim Henry
Tuesday, March 10: Lenten Weekday
8:15 a.m.
Agnes Kern
Wednesday, March 11: Lenten Weekday
8:15 a.m.
Brigido “Chick” Garza
Thursday, March 12: Lenten Weekday
8:15 a.m.
Patricia Topper
Friday, March 13: Lenten Weekday
8:15 a.m.
Rick Leone
Saturday, March 14: Lenten Weekday
No Morning Mass
Vigil 5:00pm Deceased members of the Toomey
and Clark family
Sunday, March 15: 4th Sunday of Lent
7:30 a.m.
Mary Ann Boyd
10:00 a.m.
Living and Deceased Parishioners
11:30 a.m.
Dario Datis
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4;
Lk 4:24-30
Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6-7bc,
8-9; Mt. 18:21-35
Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19
-20; Mt 5:17-19
Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9;
Lk 11:14-23
Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17;
Mk 12:28-34
Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab;
Lk 18:9-14
2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137:1-6;
Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21
Please pray for the repose of
the soul of Owen McFadden
who passed away. May the
angels lead him into paradise, may the martyrs
come to welcome him and lead him to the Holy
City, the new and eternal Jerusalem.
Now on sale: J. C. Penney,
Red Robin, Cooperhead Grille
and Macy’s Gift Cards
along with grocery gift cards!
Credit Cards can be used to buy grocery gift cards.
Gift cards are on sale after the 10:00 a.m. and
11:30 a.m. Masses in the parish office. Gift cards
are also on sale in the parish office Monday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ST. MICHAELSCHOOL
NIGHT OF KNIGHTS EVENT
On March 14, 2015, St. Michael the Archangel
school will hold a Night of Knights Silent Auction.
The event will be held at DeSales University. We
will present the “Friend of St. Michael School
Award’ to Mrs. Carol Sonon and Ms. Barbara
Paluszec. Ticket cost is $60.00 per person. For
auction donations, sponsor opportunities, program
advertising or ticket sales, contact the
Advancement Office at 610-867-8422 x17 or
email: mgano@st-mikes.com.
There will be a Raffle as part of Night of Knights
Event sponsored by the Board of Limited
Jurisdiction of St. Michael the Archangel School
for one full TUITION for one student of St.
Michael the Archangel School OR $1800 in
CASH. Tickets will be sold after all Masses this
weekend.
St. Michael the Archangel School
has the following employment
opportunities available:
♦ Educational
Technology
Coordinator (full time)
♦ Long-term Substitute Middle
School Science Teacher (full time)
♦ Extended Care Facilitator (part time)
For additional details and application procedures
visit www.st-mikes.com or go to the Diocesan
website at www.allentowndiocese.org.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS
3rd Sunday of Lent
The Lenten Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent
was written by parishioner, Lynn Regan.
Stations of the Cross and Benediction
will be held every Wednesday evening
in the church at 7:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross will also be held
every Friday evening in the church at
7:00 p.m. Included each Friday will be
Benediction and a brief reflection on
the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed
Mother.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
What is “Operation Rice Bowl” ?
It is a nationwide effort to help people
in dire need to be fed. You are asked to
feed your family one meager meal a
week during the 7 weeks of Lent,
deduct the cost of the meal from what
you ordinarily spend for a family
dinner, then donate the difference to
Rice Bowl.
Please place your sacrificial offerings
during Lent in the bowl located at the
Holy Family statue. This nationwide
effort helps provide food to the needy.
75% of your contributions support
Catholic Relief Services’ development
projects overseas and Lenten education
activities in the United States. 25% of
your contributions to Operation Rice
Bowl remain in our diocese to fund
local hunger and poverty alleviation
programs.
Reflecting on today’s readings, I thought, “What is
human nature?” It is generally self-centered. We all have our
idols, i.e. things that control us. How often they are not about
God.
If we were to reverse this, we would ask, “God, what
do you want from us?” or “God, how can we make our lives
about you?” So, for this week’s Lenten Reflection, let’s ask
the Lord what it is He would have us do.
The gospel from today ends: Jesus “did not need
anyone to testify about human nature. He Himself understood it
well.” What a relief He understands our humanness! He shows
us that the God of Heaven can look beyond all our human
frailties and still love us beyond measure. Jesus set such an
example for us when He walked among us. While on the earth,
He overcame His daily trials by keeping His eye on the future
kingdom. He reminds us that we are just passing through this
time. That, in the end, it is between God and us. Let’s follow
His commandments and make the most of our time here. Jesus
shows us the way. It is up to us to follow Him.
Lynn Regan and her husband Brian have
been members of ABVM for over 25 years. Lynn
has worked as a nurse for Lehigh Valley Hospital
for over 30 years. The Regans have three
children: Kevin, Kerry and Shawn. All three
attended St. Michael the Archangel and Central
Catholic high school. Kevin is a CPA and lives in
Pittsburgh, Kerry and Shawn are currently
attending the University of Delaware and St
Joseph’s University respectfully.
NEW PARISHIONERS
Talent Show and Bake-Off
Saturday, April 11, 2015—6:00 p.m.
the Hanlon Center
Enjoy this parish event and
support
your
fellow
parishioners who will entertain
you and tempt you with
delicious goodies!
Talent Show Divisions: Dance, Vocal,
Instrumental, Stand-Up Comedy and Variety. Age
groups are 6-12 yrs., 13-18 yrs. and adult. Tryouts
for the talent show will be held on March 27 from
3:30-5:00 p.m. in the church basement. Acts
should be 2 mins. in length. A CD player will be
provided at the tryouts. Prizes will be awarded to
the top three in each division. The Entry Fee for
the Talent Show is $10.00
Bake-Off Divisions: Cookies, Cakes, Pies,
Candy and Gluten-Free Goodies. Age groups are 6
-12 yrs., 13-18 yrs. and adult.
Prizes will be awarded to the top
three in each division. The Entry
Fee for the Bake-Off is $5.00.
For an official Entry Form, please visit our
website at www.assumptionbethlehem.com
and click on Talent Show. Entries are due
by March 20.
Welcome! Our parish family invites all of its members to
participate fully in our spiritual and social life. Please contact
the parish office to register.
BAPTISMS
Baptisms are scheduled on the first or third Sunday
of each month immediately following the 11:30 a.m. Mass.
Contact the parish office at
610-867-7424 x10 at least six weeks in advance.
Parents must attend a Baptismal Preparation Class.
WEDDINGS
Couples must contact the pastor at least 6 months
prior to the wedding.
BULLETIN
All copy must be received in writing two Fridays prior to the
intended Sunday publication. We reserve the right to edit all
copy. All inserts must be received at least
two weeks in advance.
PRAYER CHAIN
Call Carol Herman at 610-838-1048 or email her at
prayer@ealvinc.com and give her your name and intention.
She will contact other parishioners participating in our
Prayer Chain on your behalf.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Council welcomes any comments or suggestions
by parishioners. Please contact John Temple
John.Temple@olympus.com this month.
PARISH MEMORIALS
Following the death of a relative or friend, offerings may be
made to the Church in loving memory of the deceased. The
offerings may specify a particular request or placed in the
Parish Memorial Endowment, The Parish Education
Endowment, or the Health Ministry Endowment.
DIOCESAN VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR
Wendy S. Krisak, M.A., NCC, LPC: 1-800-791-9209
All proceeds from the Talent Show/Bake-Off
will help defray the costs for the Assumption
Choir to sing at St. Jerome Church in Largo, FL.
DIOCESAN SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR
Sr. Meg Cole, S.S.J.: 610-866-0581 x 19 or by email at
mcole@allentowndiocese3.org
Our website:
www.assumptionbethlehem.com