Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Entrance

1.         Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

            Longing for truth, we turn to you.

            Make us your own, your holy people,

            light for the world to see.

Refrain:

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.

Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your Church gathered today.

2.         Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

            Longing for hope, many despair.

            Your word alone has pow’r to save us.

            Make us your living voice.  Refrain

© 1993, 2000, Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP.

 

Presentation

Refrain:

Only this I want:

but to know the Lord,

and to bear his cross,

so to wear the crown he wore.

 

1. All but this is loss, worthless refuse to me,

for to gain the Lord is to gain all I need.

 

2. I will run the race; I will fight the good fight,

so to win the prize of the kingdom of my Lord.

 

3. Let your heart be glad, always glad in the Lord,

so to shine like stars in the darkness of the night.

Text based on Philippians 3:7–16; 2:15, 18. Text and music © 1981, OCP. All rights reserved.

 

Communion refrain: 

Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! 

Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!

        

Recessional

1.         There's a wideness in God's mercy Like the wideness of the sea;

            There's a kindness in God's justice Which is more than liberty.

            There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed;

            There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the Head.

 

2.         For the love of God is broader Than the measures of the mind;

            And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.

            If our love were but more faithful We should rest upon God’s word;

            And our lives would be thanksgiving For the goodness of our Lord.

Text: Frederick W. Faber, 1814-1863, alt.

Reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-700703. All rights reserved.

 

PARISH AND PASTOR EVALUATION

This year Father Michael McLoughlin will be completing his first six-year term as Pastor of St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction. In keeping with Archdiocesan policy, an evaluation of the parish has begun.  Parishioners and staff who wish to do so may write letters with their own comments about our parish and the pastoral leadership of the parish.  Please address your letters to:

                                                The Office of Priest Personnel

                                                Archdiocese of New York

                                                1011 First Avenue

                                                New York, New York 10022

Letters should be received no later than February 28, 2021 

Any correspondence received after the deadline will NOT be included in the evaluation process.

 

LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE

During the season of Lent, the Church urges the faithful to reflect a spirit of penance in their daily lives through performing acts of fast and abstinence.

+Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17 and ends on Holy Thursday, April 1.

+Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. This is a serious matter within Church law.

+Fasting means only one full meal a day may be taken. Two smaller meals can be eaten to maintain physical strength but together they should not equal another full meal in quantity. Snacking between meals is not permitted. Catholics ages 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are not specifically obliged to fast are encouraged to join in the discipline of fasting to the extent that they are able. 2

+Abstinence forbids the eating of meat or poultry. Those who have reached the age of 14 or older are obliged to abstain on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. Those who are not specifically obliged to abstain from eating meat are urged to join in the discipline of abstaining to the extent that they are able.

+All Fridays of the year are designated as days of penance during which we are encouraged to practice self-denial out of gratitude for the suffering and death Jesus accepted for us.

+The time for fulfilling the Easter Duty extends from the First Sunday of Lent (February 21) to Holy Trinity Sunday (May 30).

ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY !7

 Due to the pandemic our services will be brief. Thus, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL COME ON TIME. When the Service ends, the priest/deacons will not remain waiting at the altar for his safety and yours. The prayer will be said once for everyone. Then all will be invited to come forward to receive the Blessed Ashes on your forehead.

 

Masses at 7:00 am and 12:00 noon

Services at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm.

DAILY MASS – NEW SCHEDULE

Beginning in Lent, here is our Daily Mass schedule:

Monday-Wednesday-Friday – 7:00 am

Tuesday-Thursday – 12:00 noon

Saturday – 8:00 am.

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday in Lent at 7:00 pm – except March 19 (Confirmation).

 

OPERATION RICE BOWL

Collecting coins each day and placing them in your Rice Bowl is an excellent way to participate in almsgiving this Lent. Your donations will be sent to Catholic Relief Services. Rice Bowls are now available and they include a Lenten Calendar.

Other News

 

ADORATION DURING LENT

Our Adoration Chapel continues to be closed, but we have moved Adoration to our Church. Join us Monday to Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm (Fridays 4:00 pm and concluding with Benediction at 6:40 pm) We would like to resume our devotions:

4:00 pm – Divine Mercy Chaplet

7:00 pm – Rosary

7:40 pm – Night Prayer and Benediction

We hope that all who led these devotions will resume. Let Deacon Chris or Deacon Steve know. Please remember that we will not be providing books. You must bring your own.

 

CONFESSIONS IN LENT

Every Saturday at 8:30-9:00 am and 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Reconciliation Monday – March 29 – 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm

 

LENTEN FAITH SHARING GROUPS - SIGN UP NOW!

We are offering Faith Sharing Groups for Lent using materials from Renew International. We will study the Sunday Readings for Lent. To see free samples, go to store.renewintl.org/collections/lent. Groups will meet for six weeks using zoom. Group leaders include Father Michael, Deacon Dennis, Paddy O'Mara and Carolyn Torella.  You may wish to form your own group. Let us know who is in your group by emailing rectory@stcolumbaonline.org. The donation for materials is $10.00. Sign up online now - https://columbahopewell.flocknote.com/signup/39523

 

PEOPLE OF THE PASSION - LENTEN TALKS AND HOLY HOURS BY FATHER MICHAEL AND FATHER CONNOLLY

Mondays 7:00pm – 8:00 pm include Talk, Compline, Benediction – in church and Livestreamed.

Monday February 22 – Mary, The Mother of Jesus – Father Connolly

Monday, March 1 – Peter – Father Michael

Monday, March 8 – Pontius Pilate – Father Michael

Monday, March 15 – The Centurion – Father Connolly

 

SOLEMN LENTEN VESPERS – SUNDAYS IN LENT AT 6:00 PM – ST. COLUMBA CHURCH

Father Connolly will lead Solemn Vespers, the Evening Prayer of the Church from the Liturgy of the Hours. All are welcome – February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28.

 

VIRTUAL CHRISTLIFE FOR LENT – UNTIL WE CAN GATHER IN PERSON AT ST. COLUMBA

Christ Life Continues to lead people closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Archdiocese is pleased with our ongoing partnership with Christ Life which has been offered in the Archdiocese since January 2010. Many are familiar with the series. Last year we were pioneers in offering the first fully virtual Christ Life series which was a success. We are offering the virtual series for Lent 2021. Sessions will be offered every day of the week, mornings, afternoons and evenings. Visit the website www.christlife.org for more information about this ministry and the invitation to all parishioners beginning NOW. To learn more from our website, go to www.archny.org/ministries-and-offices/adult-faith-formation-2/christlife-discovering-christ-for-lent-2021, and register on line.

 

NY CATHOLIC RADIO

New Tab on our website – click to stream – go to https://stcolumbaonline.org/about