St. Mary Catholic Church

APRIL 3, 2022

Dear Friends, In today’s Gospel reading, we hear about the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This story, and the stories of the Woman at the Well and the Healing of the Man Born Blind from the past couple of weeks, are special Gospel readings which help us celebrate the gift of life, heal-ing, and salvation that comes to us in Jesus Christ. His Passion, Death and Resurrection assure us that we, too, share in the promise of resurrection and life in God’s Kingdom if we follow Jesus as faith-filled disciples. Let us pray this week for the continued grace we need to be successful in our Lenten journey this year. May we draw closer to Christ each day, and deepen our faith as we reach out in service and care to those around us. God bless you! Father Fred

THE CRESCENDO OF JOHN’S GOSPEL

The Gospel readings of the past several weeks form a sort of “crescendo” as they build in intensity toward the capstone of our Lenten season: Holy Week. Jesus tells the woman at the well the secrets of her life, se-crets he could not, should not have known, and promis-es her the never-ending salvation of his living waters. The man blind from birth has light restored to his eyes, as Jesus, the Light from Light, overcomes the man’s ailment as a sign of removing the sin that those around him believed was in him. Today Jesus answers Martha’s critique of his late arrival by informing her that Lazarus has died for the same reason the man had been born blind: that God might be given glory for being the light and life of the world. We have been following the road to Jesus’ destiny that John’s Gospel has been tracing for us: to the place where the Father would be given the ultimate glory in his passion, death, and resurrection.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT AND LIFE Sometimes we need Jesus to walk that same sort of road with us. We need him to see into our hearts and pry open for us those secrets that we try to keep from ourselves, from others, and from God. We think that a life situation, illness, or ailment is somehow a retribu-tion for some wrong that we have done, and we must seek Jesus Christ to take us past that moment into a place of healing. And when death itself enters or touches our lives somehow, we are called upon to place our ultimate trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone. He can take our chiding for not making our lives tribu-lation-free; but beyond that he can weep with us as he wept at the tomb of Lazarus. He can be with us in the most woeful times of darkness and death, and transform them into God’s glorious day of resurrected new life, for he died our very human death. When we—as Thomas says today—“go to die with him,” filled with faith that he is Resurrection and Life, then we also—as we hear in the Letter to the Romans—will live and reign with him in everlasting glory. Copyright © 2007, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

FAITH FORMATION There will be no class for Little Saints this Sunday, April 3, at 9:30 and 12:15. There will be just one ses-sion for Little Saints next Sunday, April 10, at 9:30. Encounter will meet this Sunday evening as usual. There will not be Sessions for ROCK and EDGE this Wednesday, April 6. Please join us for Faith Formation/Youth Ministry Sta-tions of the Cross on Friday, April 8.

VBS Jerusalem Marketplace is coming to St. Mary Parish June 27 to July 1. Save the date. We will meet from 9:30 to 1:00pm. Regis-tration for Teen Helpers and

Campers will be open on April 18. We can use adult helpers and/or folks who like to work with decorations. If you are an adult who would like to help with a magi-cal week of fun and faith sharing with the children of the parish, please contact the Faith Formation 0ffice. To volunteer or ask how you can help, email: mtiffany@stmary-wc.org or apisciotto@stmary-wc.org

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Thursday, April 7, 7:00 - 8:00 pm Saturday, April 9, 2:00 - 4:00 pm Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

(No Confessions on Holy Saturday)

In the Faith Formation Building

MASS INTENTIONS

PRAY FOR THE SICK

DATE TIME INTENTION

04/02 4:30 pm Lucy Lichota

04/03 7:00 am The People of St. Mary

9:00 am Juana Moreno

11:00 am Vena Pawloski (L)

1:00 pm Daniel Moradi (L)

04/04 6:30 am Tad Schwartz (L)

12:05 pm Rita McNally

04/05 6:30 am Tony & Ashley Cook

12:05 pm Brenda Ambrulevich

04/06 6:30 am Aaron Parker (L)

12:05 pm COMMUNION SERVICE

04/07 6:30 am Camille Lourdes James (L)

12:05 pm Rosina Balestreri

04/08 6:30 am Sergio Gonzalez (L)

12:05 pm Cirilo Roman

04/09 8:30 am Bobbi Clyde

2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Staff and Administration

Website: www.stmary-wc.org

Parish Office 891-8900 Fr. Fred Riccio, friccio@stmary-wc.org Pastor 891-8900 Ana Lau, alau@stmary-wc.org Office Manager 891-8908 Aileen Baker, abaker@stmary-wc.org Bookkeeper 891-8911

Faith Formation

Maureen Tiffany mtiffany@stmary-wc.org Director of Faith Formation 962-5808 Austin Pisciotto, apisciotto@stmary-wc.org Administrative Support 891-8939 Margaret Riley mriley@stmary-wc.org Coordinator K-Grade 5 891-8920 Kiona Medina kmedina@stmary-wc.org Coordinator Grades 6-12 891-8944 Heather Abraham habraham@stmary-wc.org Coordinator Confirmation 891-8934 & Community Service Tim Mannix tmannix@stmary-wc.org RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator 891-8921

School

Office 935-5054 stmary@st-mary.net Website: www.st-mary.net Alumni: stmaryalumni@st-mary.net Garrett Padia, Principal 935-5054

Fred & Emilia Sohn Raul Gonzalez Dominador Hontucan Oralee Floria Mary McLoughlin Angela Crane Beverly Regan Josefina Zabat Audry Robinson Loretta Holmes Nancie Campi Carol Erikson Danyel Sheets Beth Wainwright Robin Wood Billy Silva Mary Kennedy Cheryl LaMarre Marissa Magno Ed Regan

Annabelle Semira Mary Ann McGill

Bibiana Christman Pat O’Rourke

Marina de Castilla Mark Butler

Rica Montgomery Christie Macksoud

David Holmes Mary Johnstone

Dorothy Lindberg Camille Giglio

Julia Rodriguez Maza Marina Rodriguez Maza

Rudy Rodríguez Raquel Zittel

Carol Lorenzana Jamie Crowley Maria Avitabile

Tim Mannix

St. Benedict the African (1524-1589), was born in San Fratello, Sicily to Cristoforo and Diana Manasseri, Africans who had been taken as slaves. Some ac-counts claim that it was because of his parents’ loyal service that Benedict was given his freedom at birth; other sources say that his freedom was granted when he turned 18. At 21, Benedict joined a society of hermits living under the rule of St. Francis of Assisi. Eventually he succeeded his friend, Jerome Lanze, as their leader. When the Pope disbanded the independent hermit society, Benedict joined the Order of Friars Minor and he was sent to Palermo, to the Franciscan Friary of St. Mary of Jesus. There Benedict worked in the kitchens and despite being illiterate and a lay brother (not a priest), he also served as Master of Novices, and as Guardian of the Community. St. Benedict was known throughout his life as a brilliant cook under whose hands food seemed to multiply miraculously, a healer, and a spiritual leader with profound understanding. He is recognized as the patron saint of African Americans. © LPi

Third Scrutiny

The words of the hymn, "I Now Live," echo faintly in churches still decorated for Lent as the Third Scrutiny takes place and those who journey toward Easter hear about the raising of Lazarus. The Gospel story is about more than just the raising of a single man, but about the life that Jesus Christ offers to every one of us. But there are many powers that seek to steal this life from us. In the words of this Scrutiny we pray for those journeying toward Easter, as the presider says: "Free from the grasp of death those who await your life-giving sacraments and de-liver them from the spirit of corruption." It is through the sacrament of the Church that Jesus Christ instituted that we receive a new life, but sin stands in our way. But what Jesus did for his friend in this story, he did for us through his cross and resurrection. If we choose life, there is no spirit that can stand against us. May we stand with those before us who will be baptized at Easter and testify to the reality that we now live because we have died and risen with him and death's power is no more. ©LPi

APRIL 10

Masses at

7:00 am, 9:00 am 11:00 am, 1:00 pm

APRIL 17

Masses at

7:00 am, 9:00 am 11:00 am, 1:00 pm

APRIL 14

No morning or Noon Masses

7:00 pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Adoration in the Gym until 10:00 pm

Stations of the Cross

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

APRIL 15

No morning or Noon Masses

12:00 pm: Solemn Liturgy of the Passion 2:00 pm: Stations of the Cross 7:00 PM: Solemn Liturgy of the Passion (Spanish)

APRIL 16

No morning or Afternoon Masses No Confessions

8:00 pm: The Great Easter Vigil

Our catechumens and candidates are excited about their impending celebration of the Easter Sacraments at our Easter Vigil. Let us keep them close to our hearts as they enter into final, intense preparation for the sacraments.

God of the Samaritan Woman, 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 during the upcoming Season of Easter. 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 reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

God is speaking, are you listening?

Adoration and Rosary for men Wednesday, April 6

7- 8pm IN THE CHAPEL Invite a friend and sons welcome.

Questions? Contact: michaelgallagher1025@outlook.com

These are some of the answers to the question, “Why do YOU come out to the sidewalk?” Some say they come out of love and a desire to imi-tate the love of God the Father, by praying for those who are considering or who are providing abor-tions… that they will change their minds and have a conversion of heart. Others have said they come out of a sense of grati-tude for their own lives, recognizing the beautiful val-ue of life itself. One of our volunteers said, “My mother was di-vorced, raped, alone and confused when she asked her doctor for an abortion. Lucky for me, it was 1965 and abortion was illegal. I’m the only child she ever had, and as she says to this day, ‘the meaning of her entire life.’ “ Someone else said, “Especially now during this Lenten season, I am called by the Holy Spirit to profess my faith and serve as an example to others. I do this to save the littlest among us through prayer to our Lord and our Blessed Mother. If I can make a difference with one life, I feel I will have done my part. It’s the least I can do for the blessings I have received.” We have one more week of prayer before the end of this Spring 40 Days for Life Campaign. Please join us to pray: 40daysforlife.com/walnutcreek or email us at friendsforlifetrivalley@gmail.

It is sweet to everyone to be in the company of a dear friend; and shall we not find it sweet, in this valley of tears, to remain in the company of the best friend we have, and Who can do us every kind of good; Who loves us with the most tender affection, and therefore dwells always with us? Behold, in the Most Blessed Sacra-ment we can converse at pleasure with Jesus, we can open our hearts to Him, we can lay our wants before Him, and we can ask Him for His graces; in a word, in this Sacrament we can treat with the King of Heaven, in all confidence and without restraint. —St. Alphonsus Liguori

Prayer for Peace in Ukraine Compassionate God, We pray for all who suffer or perpetuate violence in Ukraine, as we invoke the words of Psalm 29: “May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” That those with the power to end violent conflict will heed your call to turn swords into plowshares and negotiate a peaceful resolution. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace Bring comfort and healing to the wounded. Bring courage and strength to their caregivers. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace For all in Ukraine who live in fear. Cloak them in safety and security, and fill them with your peace. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace Grant eternal rest to those who have died. Be with their families and loved ones in this time of sorrow. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace We ask all these things in your name. Amen.

TRUE CHARITY True charity doesn’t care whether it’s tax deductible or not. —Anonymous

RACHEL'S VINEYARD WEEKEND BILINGUAL SPANISH/ENGLISH RETREAT

April 29, 2022 - May 1, 2022 Rachel's Vineyard Weekend Bilin-gual Spanish/English Retreat If the quality of your life is affect-ed or you have never completely recovered from pregnancy

loss, Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat is a place where you can find support, compassion and healing. This is a confidential, safe place to share your story and dis-cover God’s heart of compassion and mercy. The re-treat is a non-denominational, interfaith environment offering Biblical principles and perspectives for res-toration. To register, contact Becky Mo-rales (becky@realoptions.net) for English or Jenn Gonzales for Spanish (jenn@realoptions.net) or apply online. Rachel's Vineyard Bilingual Retreat Date: Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1, 2022 Location: Local Retreat Center

HELPING YOUR NEIGHBOR If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask God simply to fill you with charity . . . with it you can accomplish what you desire. —St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Vincent Ferrer

Sometimes it can be easy to ideal-ize past ages in the Church. But a look at history shows that the Bride of Christ has never had it easy! In the days of St. Vincent Ferrer, two, then three men claimed to be the legitimate pope. Vincent found himself swept up in the drama. One of his old friends was elected a false pope. While ini-tially supportive, Vincent became disillusioned by the division in the Church. He spent 20 years going back to the basics. He avoided Church politics and traveled Europe as a missionary preacher. Eventually, St. Vin-cent publicly denounced the man who had once been his friend. Sometimes drama, scandal, and disap-pointment in the Church can drive us away from our faith. Rather than leave, Vincent clung to Christ. Dur-ing tumultuous times in the Church, St. Vincent Ferrer, pray for us!

FEAST DAY APRIL 5

The 29th Annual PASSION PLAY

After three years, the Passion Play is back!

Experience the Passion of Our Lord with the youth and young adults

of Church of the Good Shepherd Parish Sunday, April 3 - 7:00 pm - Opening Performance Saturday, April 9 - 7:00 pm Palm Sunday, April 10 - 5:30 pm Holy Wednesday, April 13 - 6:00 pm Good Friday, April 15 - 7:30 pm (with veneration of the Cross) In our ongoing effort to raise funds for supplies and equipment for the play, commemorative T-shirts will be sold at most performances.

Church of the Good Shepherd 3200 Harbor Street Pittsburg, California

EL CRESCENDO DEL EVANGELIO DE JUAN Las lecturas del evan-gelio de las últimas semanas forman una especie de “crescendo” hasta llegar a la culmi-nación del tiempo de Cuaresma: la Semana Santa. Jesús le dice a la mujer junto al pozo los secretos de la vida de ella, secretos que él no pudo ni debió conocer y le promete la salvación eterna de Su agua viva. El ciego de nacimiento recibe la luz para sus ojos cuando Jesús, Luz de Luz, vence la aflic-ción del hombre como signo de que le ha quitado el presunto pecado que aquéllos a su alrededor creían que había cometido. Hoy Jesús responde a la crítica que le hace Marta por Su tardía llegada, informán-dole que Lázaro ha muerto por la misma razón por la cual el hombre había nacido ciego: para dar glo-ria a Dios porque El es la luz y la vida del mundo. Hemos estado siguiendo el camino que conduce al destino de Jesús y que el Evangelio según san Juan nos ha ido señalando: hacia su pasión, muerte y re-surrección, donde el Padre recibirá la máxima gloria.

VIVIENDO EN LA LUZ Y LA VIDA A veces necesitamos que Jesús camine por la misma senda con nosotros. Necesitamos que él mire dentro de nuestro corazón y saque a la luz aquellos secretos que tratamos de esconder de nosotros mismos, de los demás y de Dios. Pensamos que ciertas situaciones en la vida, una enfermedad o dolencia son, de alguna manera, un castigo por algo malo que hicimos y que debemos buscar a Jesucristo para que nos ayude a superar ese momento hasta llegar a la sanación. También cuando la muerte misma se asoma de al-guna forma a nuestra vida, debemos poner nuestra total confianza y fe solamente en Jesucristo. Él puede aceptar nuestros reproches por no habernos dado una vida libre de tribulaciones; pero más aún, él puede llorar con nosotros como lo hizo ante la tumba de Lázaro. Él puede estar junto a nosotros en los mo-mentos más tristes de oscuridad y de muerte, y trans-formarlos en el día glorioso de una nueva vida resu-citada, puesto que él murió la misma clase de muerte humana destinada a nosotros. Como dice hoy Tomás, cuando “vayamos también nosotros a morir con él”, llenos de fe en que él es la resurrección y la vida, entonces, tal como escuchamos en la carta a los ro-manos, viviremos y reinaremos con él en la gloria eterna. Copyright © 2007, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

ORACIÓN POR LA PAZ EN UCRANIA

Dios, Todopoderoso, querido Padre de todos: Unidos como hermanos, te pedimos hoy por la paz en Ucrania, que sufre la barbarie de la guerra.

Da luz a los que tienen el poder de frenar tanta vio-lencia, por encima de sus intereses partidistas. Ten piedad de los más indefensos, de tantas vidas hu-manas inocentes. Que los más vulnerables sientan Tu abrazo a través de los sacerdotes, religiosas y laicos que forman la Iglesia en Ucrania. A éstos, dales la fuerza y la gracia para ser consuelo y esperanza en estos momentos de tanta sinrazón y sufrimiento. María, Madre de Dios y Madre nuestra, Reina de la paz, intercede por Ucrania, por Europa y por el mun-do entero. Amén. (ayudaalaiglesianecesitada.org)

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62]; Sal 23 (22):1-6; Jn 8:12-20 (o Jn 8:1-11 si es que se usaron las lecturas del Año A el domingo) Martes: Nm 21:4-9; Sal 102 (101):2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Miércoles: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42 Jueves: Gn 17:3-9; Sal 105 (104):4-9: Jn 8:51-59 Viernes: Jer 20:10-13; Sal 18 (17):2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Sábado: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10-12abcd, 13; Jn 11:45-56 Domingo: Lc 19:28-40 (procesión); Is 50:4-7; Sal 22 (21):8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Flp 2:6-11; Lc 22:14 — 23:56 [23:1-49]

VERDADERA CARIDAD A la verdadera caridad no le importa si es deducible de los impuestos o no. —Anónimo

Grow Your Business, Advertise Here.Support Your Church & Bulletin.

Free professional ad design & my help!email: RushT@jspaluch.com

Call Traci Rush925.239.1401

www.jspaluch.com

$29.95/Mo. billed quarterly• One Free Month• No Long-Term Contract• Price Guarantee• Easy Self Installation

Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608

Medical Alert System

Serving Concord and the surrounding area since 1958

Cremation and Burial Services

4125 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521

925-682-4242 • www.ouimetbrothers.com

FD1006

Get this weekly bulletin delivered by email - for FREE!Sign up here:

www.jspaluch.com/subscribe

Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.

913092 St Mary Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-675-5051

SeeYour Ad

in CCOOLLOORRCall J.S. Paluch Today!1.800.231.0805

If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert!24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY!

FREE Shipping

FREE Activation

NO Long Term Contracts

Solutions as Low as

$19.95a month

✔Ambulance✔Police ✔Fire✔Friends/Family

CALL NOW! 800.809.3352 GPS Tracking w/Fall DetectionNationwide, No Land Line Needed

EASY Set-up, NO Contract24/7 365 Monitoring in the USA

MDMedAlertSafe-Guarding America’s Seniors Nationwide!

This Button SAVES Lives!As Shown GPS, Lowest Price Guaranteed!

Catholic Cruises and Toursand The Apostleship of the Seaof the United States of AmericaCatholic Cruises/Tours to Worldwide Destinations

Call us today at 860-399-1785 or email

eileen@CatholicCruisesandTours.com

www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com

Take yourFAITHON A

JOURNEY.

(CST 2117990-70)

Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and

connect with yourCatholic Community

with OneParish!

Download Our Free App or Visit

www.MY.ONEPARISH.com