10 Church St. 01473

Tel. 978-874-2362 Fax 978-874-1024

EMAIL: Office@stedwardconf.org WEB PAGE: http://stedwardconf.org

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE 978-874-1559 • Reled@stedwardconf.org

PASTOR Rev. Kevin F. Hartford

DEACON

Dennis J. Cormier

PARISH SECRETARY/BOOKKEEPER Linda Barrows

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Anna Richard

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR Kimberly Brillon

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 3-3:30 PM, or by appointment

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Arrangements must be made at

least one year in advance.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Please call the Rectory to

schedule a Baptismal instruction.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Please let us know of anyone who would like

to receive the Sacrament.

PARISH REGISTRATION: If you would like to become a member of the Parish, please call the Rectory.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Programs for education in our Faith are held

weekly. Please call the Religious Education Office: 978-874- 1559.

CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA): Adults who are interested in becoming members of

the Catholic Faith are invited to join the RCIA. Please call the Rectory for information.

VISITATION OF THE SICK: Our Eucharistic Ministers are always pleased to

bring the Eucharist to parishioners who are unable to join us for weekly worship. If you or a family

member would like to receive Communion, please call the Rectory. If you know of someone from the Parish who is in the hospital and would like a visit from the Pastor, please let us know.

ADULT AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR: Contact Anna Richard at 978-874-0012.

OUR FATHER’S HOUSE PROJECT: Feeding the Hungry: Second Tuesday of the month.

SAINT EDWARD Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 22, 2018

LORD’S DAY MASSES

Saturday 4:00 PM

Sunday 9:00 (Family)

11:00 AM

WEEKDAY MASSES

Monday through Wednesday

8:00 AM in the Chapel

T H E C O N F E S S O R

W E S T M I N S T E R

CHRIST

IS

RISEN!

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH WESTMINSTER

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Let us honor God with our first

fruits rather than the leftovers.!

Last Sunday’s Offering $3,134.00 Online Giving $ 533.00 Fuel collection $ 380.00

Thank you for your generous support of the Parish. Your weekly financial support enables

Saint Edward's to provide for the needs of our Parish.

Journey of Faith

Just The Facts John F. Craghan

Everyday events happen around us. We know of political successes and disasters. We hear of personal happiness and tragedy. We learn of great feats and failures. Our tendency is to accept these without reflection on their meaning, with interpreting their significance. Today's readings are a study in interpretation. They challenge us, not only to tabulate the facts but also to uncover the meaning of the facts. They impose upon us the somewhat demanding task of going beyond surface observation to penetrate the deeper dimensions of life. They advocate that believers interpret the facts. The scene in Acts is of Peter's first speech after the healing of the cripple. Moved by the Spirit, Peter addresses the highest Jewish authority, the Sanhedrin. Immediately the passage moves to a level of interpretation. The facts are the events surrounding the cure of the cripple, but the key issue is clearly the interpretation of the cure. Peter points to a higher level. It is no longer a question of restoration to health and physical soundness but to salvation. The Jesus whom the people rejected in the crucifixion has been raised by God. It is only because of this reversal that the cripple now enjoys good health. Implicitly, Peter challenges his audience by interpreting the facts. In an atmosphere charged with conflict, the author of today's gospel reading contrasts Jesus with Israel's leaders. In the first parable, Jesus the ideal shepherd does not hesitate to lay down his life for the sheep (the Pharisees are probably the hired hands). In the second parable, Jesus has a deep personal relationship with his sheep ("I know mine and mine know me,"). The purpose of this knowing is to effect union among all of Jesus' followers. Jesus freely lays down his life. It is this self-giving that is at the heart of the Gentile mission. By this connection the author of John interprets the facts. The modern believer is called upon to react to the evil in society. Exploitation, oppression, abuses of power and so forth are not merely the undesirable results of immutable economic laws. The believer is challenged to uncover those responsible for the dehumanizing of persons made in the image of God. This implies a call to action. From a Christian point of view, the wretchedness of human existence indicates that the power of Jesus' death and resurrection has not yet penetrated those situations. Believers must interpret the facts. The modern believer is also called upon to react to the good in society. We need to applaud the unstinting efforts of leaders to improve the quality of human life. And we too must uphold the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.

"I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine

know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the

Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep."

- Jn 10:14-15

Mass

Intentions

For The Week

If you or a family member is in the hospital or unable to

come to Mass and would like to receive Communion,

please call the Church office and let us know. There are also Prayer Shawls available, for the sick,

grieving or for those who are pregnant.

Word of Life

Heavenly Father, give us love for all people, especially the

most vulnerable, and help us bear witness to the truth that

every life is worth living. USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, “Every Life is Worth Living” Prayer Card, www.usccb.org/worth-living

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 22, 2018

Weekly Rosary at 2:45 PM, Saturdays All are invited to be in the church at 2:40 P.M. on Saturday afternoons to

pray the rosary together. Come join us!

Readings for the Week of April 22, 2018 Sunday: Acts 4:8-12/Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 [22]/1 Jn 3:1-2/Jn 10:11-18 Monday: Acts 11:1-18/Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4 [cf. 3a]/Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26/Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 [117:1a]/Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: 1 Pt 5:5b-14/Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17 [2]/Mk 16:15-20 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25/Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27 [2]/Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33/Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab [7bc]/Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [3cd]/Jn 14:7-14 Next Sunday: Acts 9:26-31/Ps 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 [26a]/1 Jn 3:18-24/Jn 15:1-8

Partners in Charity Thanks to all our parishioners who have made their gift to the 2018 Partners in Charity Ap-

peal. St. Edward the Confessor is 76% towards our goal of $32,500. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please fill out a commitment pledge envelope located in the church and return it to the church office or in the collection basket. You can also make your gift online at www.partners-charity.net. Partners n Charity, formerly

known as the Bishop’s Fund, is the Annual Appeal for the Diocese of Worcester, serving 28 charitable, educational, and pastoral ministries. Through your generous support we are able to serve thousands of families and individuals in Worcester County. St. Edward’s has received $24,601.00 in gifts. Thank you!

St. Joseph Parish Bereavement Support Group - Begin your path toward hope and healing. The next six week faith based grief support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one will begin on Monday, May 7, 2018 through Monday, June 11th from 10-11:30 am. Meetings will be at Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church, 118 Theresa St. Fitchburg Ma. Pre-registration is re-quired (space is limited) call Jerolyn (Jerri) Blouin, Coordinator/facilitator at 978-345-5416. This is offered as a free service to the community by St. Joseph Parish, Fitchburg

May Basket Workshop

Help us make May Baskets for our senior parishioners. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 24, 25, 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM downstairs in the church hall. No prior ex-perience needed, just a willingness to get glue on your hands! It’s a great way to welcome Spring. Bring a friend and join in the fun.

Spring Craft Fair

to benefit St. Edward’s Outreach Ministry

Saturday, May 12th

10 am to 6 pm

Parish Hall, 10 Church St., Westminster

Unique Crafts, Handmade Gifts

Local Artists, Tasty Treats

Free Admission!

We are looking for volunteers to help at the bake sale

and raffle tables. Please call Mary V. 978-660-7315

Walk for the Homeless –Save the Date The Annual Walk for the Homeless is a treasured and family-friendly community event that benefits programs of Central Mas-sachusetts Housing Alliance, Friendly House, the Interfaith Hos-pitality Network, and St. John’s Food for the Poor program. For more information visit www.cmhaonline.org or if you’d like to sign up for the WALK go to,www.walkforthehomeless.org . WALK date is May 20, 2:00 pm at Elm Park in Worcester.

Knights of Columbus Council #15972

The Knights of Columbus meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will take place on Tues. April 24 at 7:00 PM. Men over age 18 interested in joining the Knights of Columbus, please contact Grand Knight Mike Green 978-855-6486.

ST. ANTHONY NOVENA BEGINS TUESDAY, APRIL 17 FOR NINE CONSECUTIVE TUESDAY’S All novena nights begin at 7pm on Tuesday evenings here at St. Anthony Church, 84 Salem Street, Fitchburg. Novena prayers, sermon and Benediction with veneration of the relic of St. Anthony of Padua. Spread the word! Come and bring a friend. Current list of preach-ers can be found on our website www.stanthonyfitchburg.net under the “Bulletin” tab.

“Misgivings” coming to Worcester, Our Lady of Providence Par-ish on Saturday, May 12 in the Gym at St. Bernard Church, 228 Lincoln St., Worcester. The one-man show is a “divine” comedy of belly laughs, blessings, blarney and bingo! Begins with a Social hour at 5 pm, Dinner is at 6 pm and Showtime is 7 pm. Tickets are $25 and there will be a 50/50 raffle. For reserva-tions or information contact Renee Jalbert at the Parish Office at 508-755-3820.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter - Jesus is the good shepherd and laid down his life for us that we may have new life. Give your marriage new life by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are May 19-20, 2018 in Warner, NH and Jun 9-10, 2018 in Medway, MA. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963.

How about making a Cursillo weekend? Cursillo or "short course in Christianity" is an uplifting and edu-cational experience. Cursillo was brought from Spain to the United States in 1962. The weekend is facilitated by a team of laypeople and clergy who deliver organized talks and discus-sions. The presenters add to the talks, the witness of their own lives, their struggles and triumphs in Christ. Our 2018 dates are: Men’s - June 14-17; Women’s - May 3-6& October 25-28. All will be held at the Immaculate Conception Spiritual Renewal Center in Putnam, CT. For information, please contact Sue Leighton at 508-278-3155 or sleighton1958@gmail.com

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