Parish of the Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior …...pledged, we are at 59% of goal. The early outpouring of support from so many helps sustain the important ministries that make

Parish of the Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Melrose and Saugus

Fifth Sunday in LentApril 2, 2017

6th century raising of Lazarus,Sant 'Apollinaire Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy

Fifth Sunday in LentApril 2, 2017

Friends,As I begin my third week here at Incarnation I am incredibly grateful for the kind and generous welcome I have received. You have certainly opened your hearts and extended your hands to welcome me into your spiritual home. Fr. Dan was so correct when he told me weeks ago, “Steve you are going to like it here.” I do!

One of the most important traits of a growing and happy faith community is what I like to call “radical hospitality.” Every member of our Parish needs to be involved in evangelization--the welcoming and bringing of others to worship with us. Everybody who walks through the doors of the Church needs to feel welcomed and at home right away. I certainly felt that way a few weeks ago. The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is an example of our hospitality. For many years Baptisms have been celebrated by the entire community at a weekend liturgy. The newborn and their family are welcomed by the entire Incarnation family. For those who wish, that practice will continue for sure. Over the last several weeks we have seen an increase in the number of families requesting the Sacrament of Baptism for their

children. A wonderful problem to have! Because of those requests I would like to offer the Sacrament of Baptism at a designated time outside of our regularly scheduled weekend liturgies. Beginning on June 4th, and each 1st Sunday of the month after that the Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated, for those who wish, at 12:30 pm. It is my hope that the Parish will soon put together a Baptism Team consisting of couples who have had their children baptized here at Incarnation offering the catechesis and hospitality to our new families.

Have a great week-God Bless,

FR. STEVE

P.S. Fr. Dan would want me to say that the Celtics and Bruins are heading to the playoffs and Monday is Opening day for the Red Sox!

This Easter our parish collection will benefit the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust which cares for the needs of our priests. Our priests are always there for us, they share Christ’s good news , perform good works and build communities of good faith. All are welcome to learn more and make a gift online at clergytrust.org. And don’t

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forget to find and follow the trust on Facebook by searching” @ClergyTrust”. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

2017 CATHOLIC APPEALThe Incarnation 2017 Catholic Appeal campaign is off to a wonderful start! With $21,352 already pledged, we are at 59% of goal. The early outpouring of support from so many helps sustain the important ministries that make Incarnation a vibrant place of worship. If you have yet to give, please pick up a pledge form or visit bostoncatholicappeal.org. Thank you for your prayers and support.

CALENDARApril 1! 4:30 ! Robert O’Brien, ! ! ! William O’Brien & Katelyn Riley

April 2! 8:00 ! ! Robert Barry

! ! 10 :30 ! Edward Harper

!April 5! 9:00 ! ! Carol and Kevin Rappa

April 7! 9:00 ! ! People of the Incarnation

April 8 ! 4:30 ! ! Mary and Albert Toomey

April 9 ! 10:30 !! Robert Barry

MILESTONESPlease remember family and friends in need of prayer, especially Margaret Blaise, Sarah Fradkin, Bill Connors, Maureen, Irene Lawless, Perry Brown, Betty Howard, Stephen Gaeta, Jim R., Ted Ayotte, Robert Burke, Fr. Paul Rouse, Sandra W., John Anderson, April Crouse, Adele Maciejowski, Colleen Sullivan, Debbie Saschuk, Julia G., Donna Correia, Sandra V., Don Marsden, Dee O’Malley, Georgia Rose Okerholm, Donna Page, Denise,

Walter Landergan, Sr. Mary Shaun, Sr. Mary Lou Graziano, Nicholas Ward, Frank Zizzo, Helen Staunton, Jay Gordon, Michael Paull, Domenic DeLuca, Jeannette Bailey, and parishioners facing surgery.

If there is anyone you wish to add to the prayer list please contact the rectory.

FINANCIAL REPORT

! March 20 -March 26, 2017! Offertory! ! ! ! !! Online Giving! ! $2,650.00! Basket! ! ! 3,061.00! Total!! ! $5,711.00!! Building Maintenance! Online Giving! ! $ 350.00! Basket! ! ! 50.00! Total!! ! $ 400.00

GOF LEARNING EVENT #4The fourth GOF adult session on morality focused on the “good life” contrasting the different views of a secular answer to that of our faith. We viewed the on-going results of the Harvard study on adult development finding that positive social relationships are related to overall health and a healthy brain, in particular. We looked at nine humorous tips from the wisdom of Mark Twain before covering Pope Francis’s ten secrets to

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happiness. We concluded with the gifts that the Spirit brings to us. These were exemplified by the astounding story of mercy and forgiveness shown by Assunta Goretti (mother of Saint Maria Goretti) to her daughter’s convicted murderer, Sandro Serenelli. She refused to condemn Sandro at his sentencing and assisted in his re-entry into society by welcoming him into her home after his 27 year sentence had been concluded. While Assunta was present at Maria’s beatification and canonization, it is clear that she was the model for her daughter’s saintliness.

FOOD DRIVE: APRIL 8 AND 9Your contribution of non-perishable items, canned food and packaged goods is greatly appreciated.

Donated food products will be delivered April 10 to "A Servant's Heart" food pantry.

Again, thank you for your continued support

LINEN DRIVEThe weekend of April 22-23 , we will be holdingour annual linen drive. Please keep us in mindwhen you are spring cleaning, redecorating,moving, downsizing, etc.

Items needed are new or "gently used" towels,sheets, blankets, bed spreads, curtains, tablecloths, etc.

As in the past, we will be donating these itemsto local shelters as well as to people who havelost their homes and are starting over.

APRIL COMMUNITY DINNERWednesday April 12, 2017 5-6:30pmMost Blessed Sacrament Parish. Please call 781-486-3927 for more information.

To volunteer at this or future Community Dinners, visit:www.mbsparishwakefield.com/communit-dinners

LENT @ INCARNATION

LENTEN REGULATIONSAbstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics age 14 and older on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

LOCAL DAILY MASS SCHEDULE• At Incarnation at 9:00am Wed,Thur,Fri• At St. Mary’s Melrose at 9:00am Mon, Tues, Wed,

Fri• At Most Blessed Sacrament, Wakefield at 7:00am

Mon-Wed and Fri, Sat 8:00am

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CRS RICE BOWL

ENCOUNTER RESILIENCE

We encounter Dita in Ethiopia, and see how her newfound entrepreneurial skills are providing three meals a day for her children—even during a devastating drought. What skills have you discovered this Lent that can be put to good use in building God’s kingdom? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU On all the Wednesdays of Lent from 6:30-8:00pm, Incarnation and all the parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Boston will be open for individual confession. The Archdiocese has set up a website, www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org, to help you prepare. It has videos on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sheets on how to make a good confession, answers to frequently-asked questions and more. Please make plans to come on Lenten Wednesdays and spread the word of this special outreach of mercy to those you know.

RISE AGAINST HUNGER (FORMERLY STOP HUNGER NOW)Looking for Lent service opportunities? Look no further! Last year, the Incarnation Parish came together to purchase and package 17,000 meals that were distributed to Stop Hunger Now’s partners throughout the world. Stop Hunger Now changed

their name to Rise Against Hunger, but their goal is the same – to end world hunger in our lifetime.

Incarnation Parish is hosting another fantastic meal-packaging event, allowing parishioners to lend their time and talents (while spending quality time together) to help achieve that worthy goal. The meal packaging will take place from 11:30-2 on Today, April 2nd – please visit this website to register and donate:http://events.stophungernow.org/Incarnation2017Donation boxes are available at church.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:SIGN UP ONLINE TO HELP!Sunday Morning CoffeeIncarnation has a tradition of hospitality-why not lend your hands to helping out at morning coffee? Click on the link below to volunteer. Instructions are posted in the parish hall kitchen.http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4ba4aa29aafb6-sunday

My Brother’s TableFor the past 30 years, Incarnation parishioners have been volunteering at "My Brothers Table," a soup kitchen in Lynn, serving the poor and homeless. Their mission, along with the help of volunteers, is to feed every guest who comes to their door with dignity, humor, love and kindness.The time involved is the first Saturday of every month from 12:30-4 PM.Follow the link below if you’d like to join us:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b48aaa72dab9-mybrothers

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FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENTBring Us Back

Father of the living and the dead,you have promised to open the graves

and lead people back to life in the Spirit. Open the graves in our minds and hearts,

that we may know of your great love and witness to the Resurrection of your Son.

Give us the strong faith of your servants, Martha and Mary,

whose brother Christ led from the tomb.When we feel bound in tombs of darkness and sin,

help us approach the Sacrament of Penance, that our chains may be broken.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

HELP WANTEDThe Little Sisters of the Poor in Somerville, MA is currently seeking Certified Nursing Assistants, Prep Cook/Dishwashers, Registered Nurses and a Porter to join our team. The schedule for all direct care workers includes shifts every other weekend. Candidates should be compassionate, have a desire to help others and a willingness to work as part of a team. Please contact us at [email protected].

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER“Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." Let your spouse see into your heart better by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next WWME Weekends are Apr

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LOOKING AHEAD TO HOLY WEEKPALM SUNDAY,APRIL 9, 2017

MASS ON SATURDAY AT 4:30PM SUNDAY AT 8:00AM AND 10:30AM

HOLY THURSDAY,APRIL 13, 2017MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER AT 7:30PM

POT LUCK SUPPER AT 6:00PM

GOOD FRIDAY,APRIL 14, 2017COMMEMORATION OF THE

LORD’S PASSION AND DEATH AT 7:30PM

HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017THE EASTER VIGIL MASS AT 8:00PM

EASTER SUNDAY,APRIL 16, 2017MASSES AT 8:00AM AND 10:30AM

22-23, 2017 in Brewster, MA and Jun 10-11, 2017 in Medway, MA. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit us at www.WWMEMA.org.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENTAPRIL 2, 2017Love and DeathThe Gospel for Sunday declares that “Jesus loved Martha and Mary her sister and their brother Lazarus.”

This is a golden statement. It tells us so much about Jesus and his personal friendships. But it also emphasizes how very odd it was that, while Lazarus was sick unto death, Jesus camped out a fairly short distance away and did not go to heal his friend. Messages arrived calling for him. An easy journey. But no. His reason? “This illness is not going to end in death,” he says.

What? He is wrong! The illness of Lazarus led directly to death!

When Lazarus did die, and had been in the tomb for four days, Jesus finally decided to go down to Bethany. Martha ran to him there and she quietly went back for Mary, who was so grieved that she would not leave home! Each in her turn cried out, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died!”

When Jesus saw Mary’s tears and those of the friends who had gathered, we behold a touching revelation. The famous words that came next are unlike any others in the Gospels:

And Jesus wept.

His tears make Mary and Martha’s question even more poignant. (I paraphrase): “You love us and you loved him; why did you not come and cure him before he died?” I think many of us ask God that very question when a loved one dies. “God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Pretend that you are asking this question directly to Jesus right now, about a sorrow of yours. Listen to whatever answer comes. Take your time. If what you hear is fruitful, please stay with it.

For my part, I hear Jesus saying this:

Friend, I know that life, love, and death are hard for you to comprehend. I have revealed them in my flesh, but of course any example can be ambiguous.

Not only life but even death and even sorrow are given within God’s gentle love. They are like flowers pushing up from the earth. The ground from which they push is God’s kind and deep care.

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Even life gets its being from God’s love. Even death gets its life from God’s love.

At this point you and I, startled, interrupt and say, Wait! How can death receive life? Death is the end of life. What are you talking about?

Jesus seems to reply that there are many beautiful plants and trees that come forth from God’s earth. Life is surely one of them, he says. But death is too, and suffering as well.

Let me show you, he says.

He calls out in a loud voice, calls into the soil of God-love where Lazarus’ soul is held tight. From this womb of love, death gestates into life. Out of the tomb he walks.

It is as if Jesus says to us,

you always think of love as what you have because you have life. But the opposite is true. Life is something you can have only because you are rooted in love. Death does not erase love, it brings you more deeply back into it, to the place you came from—the rich loam of love.

Pray about it, Jesus says, because that is the reason I delayed going to Bethany.

John Foley, SJFr. John Foley, SJ is a composer and scholar at Saint Louis University.

PERSPECTIVE OF JUSTICEVictory Over DeathToday’s Gospel recounts one of the most dramatic stories from the life of Jesus: the raising of Lazarus from the dead. John goes to great lengths to make clear that Lazarus had been dead for some time, and he shows Jesus’ power to conquer death.

We live in a world that has been caught up in death for a long time. We kill each other in acts of murder, abortion, euthanasia, execution, war, terrorist activities, drunk and reckless driving. 

We kill ourselves through suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, overwork, stress, bad eating habits, and physical neglect.

We watch calmly as others die from poverty, hunger and malnutrition, homelessness, unemployment, poor education, disease, lack of health coverage, child abuse, arms proliferation, discrimination, pollution, destruction of the environment, unsafe working conditions, and all the laws, policies, practices and attitudes which contribute to these conditions.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He is the God who “will put my spirit in you that you may live.” Our Lenten celebration must serve to remind us that the paschal mystery represents a victory over death.

The right to life ... is basic and inalienable. It is grievously violated in our day by abortion and euthanasia, by widespread torture, by acts of violence against innocent parties, and by the scourge of war. The arms race is an insanity which burdens the world and creates the conditions for even more massive destruction of life.Pope Paul VI, Message Issued in Union with the Synod of Bishops (1974)

Gerald Darring

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HOW TO FIND USAs a Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Boston, we are committed to excellence in liturgy, service, hospitality, and life-long learning, all centered in Christ.

429 Upham Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Office: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm1-781-662-8844 Office1-781-662-9340 FAX e-mail: [email protected] website: www.incarnationmelrose.org Follow us on Twitter @IncParishLike us on Facebook!

PASTORAL and SUPPORT STAFF Fr. Steve Madden, [email protected] Lahiff, Director of Faith Formation [email protected] Gelzleichter, Director of Music [email protected] Gina Distefano, Business [email protected] David E. Wiggin, C.F.X., Bookkeeper Dottie Ahlin, Household Assistant

LITURGY Mass Schedule: Saturday 4:30; Sunday 8:00 and 10:30 Daily Mass is Wednesday-Friday at 9:00.

SCRIPTURE STUDYEvery Friday morning after Mass we share coffee and conversation about God’s Word for the week. Everyone is welcome in this lively and interesting forum.

RECONCILIATION Saturday, 3:30 - 4:15 pm, or by appointment at any time.

JOINING THE PARISHNo matter what your journey has been, we want to be your companions for the next steps, to share the Gospel together and to help each other along the way. Most of us are from within parish boundaries in Melrose and Saugus, but we have parishioners from far afield Please introduce yourself to a staff member, or drop in for coffee on Sunday. You can register as a parishioner online via our website, or stop by the rectory.

ADULT INITIATION, RCIAWe are always ready to begin the process by which an adult or older child becomes a Catholic, either by full initiation in baptism, or by reception into full communion. We are also happy to prepare you for adult Confirmation. Contact Fr. Steve

BAPTISM FOR INFANTSCongratulations! The baptism of infants is celebrated is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month, or within the Sunday assembly. Parents must be parishioners here or have a letter of permission from their pastor. Fr. Steve is the staff contact person for preparation.

GENERATIONS OF FAITHWe are a community of life-long learners. Our parish program of inter-generational learning and celebration of faith is called Generations of Faith. We all meet together several times a year for “Faith Festivals,” and many opportunities for adult learning and enrichment are offered in the bulletin and programs. Materials are in the Church or available at our Faith Formation Office through Ann Lahiff.

MARRIAGECongratulations! The engaged couple must contact the Rectory at least six months in advance, preferably a year ahead. One must be a parishioner, or have permission by his or her own pastor to celebrate the marriage with us.

CARE OF THE SICK To arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, for Holy Communion for the home-bound, or Viaticum for the Dying, please contact the parish office. We normally send ministers out with communion after the eight o’clock on Sunday, and also schedule regular home visits during the week. It is always possible to anoint the sick during regularly scheduled liturgies. All you have to do is ask!

ORDER of CHRISTIAN FUNERALSWe will work with you to plan your own funeral liturgy or that of a loved one, and are prepared to celebrate the Vigil, also known as the “Wake,” in the Church building for those who choose.

For Additional Details and Contact Informationhttp://www.incarnationmelrose.orgTo view bulletin, click “bulletin archive,” and then, “Incarnation bulletins”

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