PALM SUNDAY Ι MARCH 25, 2018

B A R R O N , C A M E R O N , C H E T E K & S T R I C K L A N D , W I

ASSUMPTION BLESSED VIRGIN MARY P A R I S H C L U S T E R

SAINTS JOSEPH, PETER, BONIFACE &

ONE. HOLY. APOSTOLIC. UNIVERSAL CHURCH. WE ARE CATHOLIC. WE ARE FAMILY. WELCOME HOME!

C O N N E C T ! W I T H T H E W O R D

Tuesday

6PM—ST. PETER, CAMERON Wednesday

7:15AM—ST. JOSEPH, BARRON Holy Thursday—Mass of the

Lord’s Supper

7PM—ST. PETER, CAMERON Good Friday –

Passion of the Lord

1PM—ST. PETER, CAMERON Holy Saturday—

Easter Vigil

8:30PM—ST. PETER, CAMERON Easter Sunday Masses

7:45AM—ABVM, STRICKLAND 9:30AM—ST. JOSEPH, BARRON 11AM—ST. BONIFACE, CHETEK

MESSAGE FOR THE WEEK

Our humanity bleeds through today's Gospel passages in more ways than one. We see both elation and fall, hope in the midst of the darker sides of our natures. If we allow it, these Gospels hold a mirror to our own fickle hearts. The crowds cry "Hosanna" and the Apostles profess allegiance unto death. In a manner of days -- even hours -- Jesus is betrayed, abandoned, denied, condemned, tortured, and executed. As God, he could have stopped this horrific narrative from unfolding, but he doesn't. He allows free will to play itself out. There are nearly two millennia between this spectacle and us. We can stand safely removed, if we choose. But Lent invites us to return to this story. Lent invites us to find ourselves in the people we encounter there. Are we the repentant woman at Bethany? Are we naysayers of such lavish piety? Have we acted in a way that betrays those we love or denies what we know to be good and true? Have we fallen asleep in our faith? Have we unfairly accused others of a crime or immorality we imagine, though perhaps they didn't commit? Do we help others carry their burdens? Do we stand in solidarity with those who suffer? Do we care for the dying? This week, take up today's Gospel again. Look carefully at the Passion narrative and sit with it in silence. Find yourself in the story and ponder its meaning for your own life. Journey with Jesus to the foot of the Cross so that you too may say, along with the faithful centurion, "truly this man was the Son of God!"

Saturday 4:00 pm † Olivia King by Joseph & Irene Mujwid Family ABVM 5:30 pm Pray the Rosary Before Mass SP 6:00 pm † Pat Gehan by Gehan Family SP Sunday 7:30 am Pray the Rosary Before Mass SP 8:00 am All the People of our Parish Cluster SP 9:00 am Pray the Rosary before Mass SJ 9:30 am † All Souls SJ 10:30 am Pray the Rosary before Mass SB 11:00 am † Joann Stefl by Jene & Marge SB

Tuesday 6:00 pm † Dennis Sailor by Friends and Family SP Wednesday 7:15 am Special Intention for Families SJ 8:00 am Eucharistic Adoration until 3:00 pm SJ 2:45 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet SJ Holy Thursday 7:00pm All the People of our Parish Cluster SP Good Friday 1:00 pm Good Friday Services SP Holy Saturday 8:30 pm All the People of our Parish Cluster SP Easter Sunday 7:45 am † Jean Ebner by Robert ABVM 9:00 am Pray the Rosary before Mass SJ 9:30 am † Yvonne Anglesburg by Pat Sirovatka SJ 10:30 am Pray the Rosary before Mass SB 11:00 am † Richard Scott by George & Betty Scott SB

SB-St. Boniface • SJ-St. Joseph • SP-St. Peter ABVM-Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cluster Administrative Office www.sspbandj.org 827 E. LaSalle Avenue • Barron, WI 54812 Phone: 715-637-3255 Fax: 715-637-3252 Email: stjosephchurch@chibardun.net Email: stbonifacechetek@chibardun.net

Ministry Staff Fr. Bala Raju Policetty, Sacramental Minister…..715-292-8681 E-Mail………………………………………… . … bpolice@rediffmail.com Very Reverend John Gerritts …………………….Supervising Pastor Patty Gerber, Parish Director…………………………..715-642-2560 Email…………………………………………….pgerber4127@charter.net Deacon Dan Ford …………………………………………… 715-924-3514 Office Staff Marsha Rheingans, Secretary/Bookkeeper Anne Stephens, Faith Formation Mindy Hamilton, Assistant Religious Education Coordinator

Sacraments Reconciliation: Father Bala will be present in the Confessional, for Reconciliation at all parishes, 30 minutes prior to all Masses, Tuesday-Saturday; and prior to Sunday Mass at St. Peter; and 9-10am on the1st Saturday of the month at St. Joseph. Reconciliation may also be received following most Masses or by appointment.

Anointing of the Sick: By appointment, please call parish office first. If an emergency, please call Father Bala Policetty directly.

Baptism: Please call the parish office to schedule. First time parents, please plan to attend a baptismal preparation session prior to your child’s baptism.

Marriage: Please make arrangements for marriage prep classes beginning six months before the wedding.

Homebound Communion Communion is given weekly to our cluster homebound parishioners. If you would like to be added to the list, please call the cluster office.

Pastoral Visits: Please contact Father Policetty if you or a loved one would like to be visited.

Weekly Sacrificial Giving

Adult Loose Special Total

ABVM $268 $233 $10 $511

STB $1602 $203 $490 $2295

STJ $1244 $58 $713 $2015

STP $1182 $116 $315 $1613

Thank you! for your continued

financial support! Your contributions

are vital to your parish.

MON

6pm

Rosary/Morning Star Prayer Group, STJ

TUES

9:30am 6pm 6:45pm

Mass, Dove Health Care Mass, STP Cluster Choir Practice for Easter, STP

THURS

7PM HOLY THURSDAY MASS, Adoration Following Mass, STP

F A I T H F O R M A T I O N RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR

ORDINARY MOMENTS I read a story recently about a teacher who donated a kidney to one of her former students. This tremendous act of selflessness came about because the young person had lost most of the function of his kidneys due to an illness. Literally, that teacher gave the gift of life to someone who wasn't her own child or another fami-ly member. This is certainly radical stewardship. How far would you go to give of yourself so that another might live? Would you have to love him or her like your own child or parent? No one can deny it would be a difficult decision, especially if your giving put your own health at risk. Reflecting on these things helps to provide some perspective on the crucifixion of Jesus. Not only did he suffer tremendously at the hands of the Romans, he gave his life for us so we might live forever. What does true stewardship look like? The cross is a symbol to us of total surrender. When we are called to give of ourselves in ordinary ways in daily life we sometimes hesitate and think twice. Perhaps when we are unsure we should look to the cross and there we can find our strength. And then when the call comes to truly sacrifice and place our trust in God, we may have already developed a lifestyle that makes responding, "yes," that much easier. Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

WED

7:15am 8am

Mass, STJ Eucharistic Adoration, STJ NO RELIGIOUS ED. CLASSES

WHY DO WE DO THAT? - CATHO-LIC LIFE EX-PLAINED

Question: Where do Palm Sunday palms come from and where should they go? Answer: The

Palm Sunday cele-bration has ancient origins. Beginning the liturgy "outside" the church, we sym-bolically reenact Christ's entry into Jerusalem. The crowds in ancient Israel waved palm branches - a symbol of royalty - to welcome Jesus. These days, obtain-ing palms takes a lot of planning and co-ordination, as hun-dreds of thousands of churches worldwide need them on the same day! Many in the United States order palms from Florida, California, Texas, or Central America. Many companies stress the sustainability of their production and the just wages paid to their work-ers. The palms used on Palm Sunday are blessed at Mass. This means they shouldn't end up in the trash! Many people weave palms into crosses or families display them in their homes. If you do not plan on displaying your palms throughout the year, they should be burned, bur-ied, or left at the church. In the final case, the palms are burned to provide the ashes for next year's Ash Wednesday service.

Do you have an idea that might enhance parish life? A suggestion to enhance the building atmosphere of the parish? Do you see a need for repair somewhere in the church? NEW! At the back of each parish you will find a “Share

Board.” If you have an idea to share, simply take a card from the board, complete it and drop it into the collection

basket for delivery to the Administration Office! Ideas will be brought to the attention of the buildings and grounds committee of the parish, and to the parish

council to determine what actions need or can be taken.

YOUR BRIGHT IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, MAINTENANCE

FRI

8:30am 1PM

Stations of the Cross, STB GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE, STP

SUN

7:45am 9:30am 11am

Mass, ABVM Mass, STJ Mass, STB

SAT

8:30PM HOLY SATURDAY MASS, STP Happy Birthday Fr. Bala!

P R A Y E R S & P R A Y E R F U L O P P O R T U N I T I E S

Attitude of Gratitude

Every week, parishioners and employees of our parishes go over and beyond to make our Catholic Parish Cluster something special! Please contact the parish office if you would like to add someone to this recognition list!

A very special THANK YOU to everyone who participat-ed in the recent collection of food and money dona-tions. The pantry operates strickly on donations and without the help of churches (like yours) and others, we would not be successful in serving those in need in our area. Sincerely appreciated and may God bless you all!....The Cameron Food Pantry

Please Pray For: All of our cluster parishioners in hospitals, at home and in the nursing

homes & for those in the Armed Forces. Especially for: Adeline Tadel, Laura Johanson, Jackie Brohman, Ida Nevin, Chris Wigchers, Declan Fisher, Judy Lentz, Robert Ryan, Joan Krug, Josie Romanowski, Joyce Trotter, Dale Jakel, Ruth Huiras, Dc. Cullen, Mary & Bill Bell, H. B., Darlene Townsend, Dc. Jim and Barb Dennis, Diane DeMars, Anita Grygiel, Judy Graf, Nancy Kukla, Jo Ann Lundequam, Sandy Garr, Marie Greenbush, Larry Toufar, Jane Anderson, Pam Luethi, Jim Haas, Doug Rutledge, Janelle Wilson, Joan Fostvedt, Judi Peltier, Joe Puziewicz, George Scott, Norma Licht, Joel Rivera, Dan Novak, Lorraine Sirinek, Ceil Nelson, & Bea Link.

To be added or removed, please contact the parish office.

SUNDAY READINGS First Reading: Isaiah 50:7A These were the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah during Israel's exile in Babylon, 597-538 BC. What do these words reveal about Isaiah's character? Second Reading: Phillippians 2:6-7A What do you think Paul meant by the idea that Jesus "did not regard equality with God something to be grasped?" Gospel: Mark 16:39B As you hear once again the Passion of the Lord on Palm Sunday, how do you keep the story fresh in your mind and relevant to your life as a Christian?

PRAYER FOR THOSE RECEIVING THE EASTER SACRAMENTS

Let us pray for our catechumens and candidates. God of the Samaritan Women, the Man Born Blind

and Lazarus, You show yourself in many ways. Most often in ways we cannot see until we look with

eyes of faith. Continue to bless these catechumens and candidates who will receive the Church's sacraments

at the Easter Vigil. Fill their lives and hearts with your unending love and grace. Help us to continue to be models of living Christian lives and grant them the endurance to continue to race to the resurrection.

We ask all this in the name of Jesus, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Welcome to Gods Family! KITTON JAMES CHERNEY

Son of Andrew & Cassandra (Czerwonka) Cherney. Kitton was welcomed into the Kingdom of God through the Sacra-ment of Baptism at St. Peter. We pray that our Good Lord

W I T H S Y M P A T H Y Please remember in your prayers our parish family

members who have died and those who mourn them. May they be raised with Christ into Glory:

JAKE McFAUL

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may their souls and

all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

C L U S T E R N E W S

The Divine Mercy Novena (nine days) prayers were given to St. Faustina through an apparition of Our Lord Jesus Christ. These days of prayer are a pow-erful and moving way to come closer to Christ. The novena begins on Good Friday and ends on Divine Mercy Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter. Following with that tradition, Father Bala will begin the novena at the end of the Good Friday service and will continue the prayers at Masses leading to Divine Mercy Sunday. You are encouraged to join in the prayers. For more information about the novena, check the back of church for a pamphlet including the prayers.

Divine Mercy Sunday Devotions Sunday, April 8th, 2018

12:00 noon – 1:00 pm St. Boniface Parish, Chetek

Immerse Yourself in His Mercy! Please join us! All are welcome!

Blessing of the Food for the First Meal of Easter The blessing of the food is a well-established tradition of our

Church. It symbolizes breaking of the fast of Lent. We encourage families to continue this practice by bringing

those baskets of food containing bread, eggs, sausage, horseradish, salt, etc… to be blessed at the 7:45am Easter Sunday Mass at ABVM in Strickland.

Christians around the world are united in a special way during Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Our hearts, minds and prayers are also especially aware of the Holy Land. Once a year on Good Friday, our parishes are called on to support Christians in the Holy Land. Many Christians in the Holy Land depend on the col-lection for their lives. As a pontifical collection re-quested by Pope Francis, the annual Good Friday Collection offers a direct link for parishioners to be witnesses of peace and to help protect the Holy Places. When you donate on Good Friday you are supporting Christians in the Holy Land. Franciscans and others in the Holy Land are housing and feeding the poor, providing religious formation and education, maintaining shrines and parishes and conducting pastoral ministry. The Good Friday Collection is requested by the Holy Father. Please be as generous as you can.

A HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

JULY 16-26 Dear People, Several people have asked if I,

Fr. Ed Anderson, would be a Spiritual Director for

a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It made me wonder, why me, having never been to the Holy Land. I’ve

always wanted to go, but never had the opportunity. After much prayer, I do believe God is directing me down this path. And this company, Mater Dei, is a

very good and reputable company. So, if you have ever felt pulled to the Holy Land by the Holy Spirit,

this just might be the trip for you. Brochures are available or contact Fr. Ed

Anderson, pastor St. Joseph, Rice Lake, directly at 715-817-3736. Blessings…...Your brother in Christ,

Rev. Edwin C. Anderson

ST. PETER CATHOLIC

CHURCH ANNUAL SPRING

TURKEY DINNER Sunday, April 15, 2018

at St. Peter Catholic

Church, 11:00am- 1:30pm.

Menu includes grilled turkey breast, mashed

potatoes and gravy, homemade dressing,

glazed baby carrots, coleslaw, cranberries,

beverage and homemade pies! Takeout

dinners are available starting at 11:15am.

We will also be holding a bake sale and

chance drawing.

Cost: Adults $10.00, Children 5-12 $5.00,

under 5 yrs. Free. Everyone is invited.