Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year A

Sunday March 29, 2020

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT This week, the Sanctuary Lamp burns in

I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live. memory of:
(Ezekiel 37) + CARMINE & MARIA BASILE
The Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead The Sanctuary Lamp burns to remind us of Christ’s
dwells in you. (Romans 8) presence in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.
I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11) If you wish to sponsor the sanctuary lamp for one
As Jesus called out to week, the stipend is $35.00
Lazarus to be untied Mass Intentions
from the wrappings of  March 31 - April 5, 2020
the dead and to be free to As we gather, let us remember and pray for . . .
st
live once again, so we Tues. ~ ………………………………………. Mar. 31
are called to be free from Intn’s of Christine Hogan
those things that keep us (by Rosemary Salmon)
too busy from loving and Wed. ~ ……………………………………….. Apr. 1st
being loved. + Marlene Berberich
Resurrection is an attitude, a perspective that finds (by Nancy Winslow)
hope in the hardest times and uncovers life among the Thurs. ~ ……………………………………….. Apr. 2nd
ruined, that reveals light in the darkest night. To each Intn’s of Hendriks & deKoning
one of us belongs Jesus’ work of resurrection at Families - L&D
Lazarus’s tomb: to help others free themselves from (by Helen & Andy Hendriks)
their tombs of dark hopelessness and the fear and
Fri. ~ ……………………………………….. Apr. 3rd
sadness that bind them.
Special Intention
.
FIFTH WEEK OF LENT ……………………………………… Apr. 4th
Sat. ~
This week is filled with drama. We continue to Special Intention
prepare ourselves to be open to God's graces. We Sun. ~ ……………………………………… Apr. 5th
continue to try to choose Lent, to act Lent, in very + Louisa & Romano Ballatori
concrete ways. We are examining our patterns and (by Ricci Family)
realigning our priorities. Our hearts are being renewed, For the People of St. Helen Parish
as we experience God's reconciling love and beg for the
gift of healing. Arrangements have been made to live stream the 11:30
All this is wonderfully supported by the drama of the am Sunday Mass from the Cathedral beginning March
daily liturgies. We begin with the raising of Lazarus. 29th on the Diocesan website www.saintcd.com as
During the week, we have powerful stories about the well as Holy Week.
accusation against Susanna, a healing image lifted up in
the desert, the three faithful witnesses who survive the FROM THE PASTORS DESK
fiery furnace, the account of God's covenant with Thank you to those who stopped in last Sunday and for
Abram, Jeremiah's fearful trust in the midst of the plot your support. I ask all to pray for the daily intentions
against him, and Ezekiel's incredible vision of and I will celebrate those Masses privately. Phone
restoration of the nation - that God will make a new and messages and emails will be tended to. Please stay safe
everlasting covenant. and stick to the social distancing.
Each of these readings is matched with a gospel from Spiritual Communion: Catholics are reminded that
John. We hear about witnesses and testimony and during this extraordinary time, they are dispensed from
judgment, about his being lifted up (on the cross and in their obligation to attend Sunday Mass. People are
glory), about the freedom/liberation he has come to encouraged to make an Act of Spiritual Communion
bring, about himself as the fulfillment of God's with the following prayer:
covenant, the new and everlasting covenant. And, we An Act of Spiritual Communion
can feel the opposition rising against him. And we My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy
grow in devotion, and grace, as we realize that it is all Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive
“for me.” You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You
BISHOP’S COVID-19 UPDATES sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
All churches except the Cathedral are closed until I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself
further notice (please see the attached memo). The wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Chrism Mass and Holy Week Liturgies are cancelled. Amen.
 DIOCESE OF ST. CATHARINES
P.O. Box 875
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
L2R 6Z4
________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE CHANCERY
905-684-0154
Fax: 905-684-2185

MEMO
To: All Clergy/Religious/Parishioners in the Diocese of St. Catharines

From: Bishop Gerard Bergie

Date: March 26, 2020

Re: COVID-19

It becomes clearer every day that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have a profound impact on everyone for an
extended time. Each day government places more restrictions on public activity. The number of cases in our country and
community is increasing at an escalating rate. As a result, we need to enforce stricter measures to protect the life and health
of our priests and people.

For these reasons, effective immediately, all churches are to be closed to visitors until further notice. This decision is
based on the strong recommendation of healthcare professionals and those involved with infection control.

This will be difficult and disappointing for many in our Catholic community, both clergy and laity. However, the more
serious and proactive we are in responding to this pandemic, the sooner we can hope to overcome it, with fewer illnesses
and deaths, and fewer long-term spiritual, personal and economic hardships.

I have also decided that our Cathedral will remain open for personal prayer for the time being. In so many ways the Cathedral
is a symbol of unity in our diocese because it is the mother church and all members of the diocese are considered her
children. During this difficult time, we need to know that ‘our mother’ is there for us.

The Cathedral will be opened from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm every day. During this hour there will be someone present to
monitor and to ask the appropriate screening questions before entering. In the three pews that will be used, there will be
special markings indicating physical distancing. The designated pews will be cleaned several times during the hour and
visitors will be asked to sanitize their hands when entering and when leaving. The washrooms will not be available. There
will be a limit to five persons at a time in the Cathedral and they can not stay longer than 15 minutes at a time. There will
be one entrance/exit off the parking lot and the door handles and stairwell railings will also be sanitized.

I am most grateful that many parishes are livestreaming Masses, Holy Hours, and Rosary recitations, and they are reaching
greater numbers than ever before. Some priests have used outdoor spaces (parking lots, shrines, etc.) for small, managed,
and safe prayer gatherings.

Thank you for your great efforts in responding to the needs of your parish communities. Our continued prayerful support of
our people, and of each other will see us through this challenging time.

May God bless you.

CATHOLIC CENTRE: 3400 Merrittville Highway, Thorold, Ontario

www.saintcd.com email: chancery@saintcd.com