Served By: Fr. Basil Lek

Pastor: (201) 364-9808 (cellphone)

Fr. Dennis Reiff (In Residence, Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady of Mt Carmel)

Mrs. Josephine Sarno Director of Religious Education

Catechetical Office: (973) 743-6122 sarnojos y

Parish Secretary

Mr. Robert Bulkowski Parish Custodian

Mr. Gary M. Sabak Music Director & Organist

ASSES Saturday at 5:30 PM.,

Sunday at 8:00 AM., 10:00 AM. & 12:00 PM. Weekdays: Monday through Saturday

8:00 AM. in the Rectory Chapel. Holy Days as announced in the Bulletin.

Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Novena Prayer: 8:30 AM. on Saturdays.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) Saturday at 4:00 PM. (also by appointment)

PARISH Tel: (973) 743-0220, Fax: (973) 743-2041

Parish E-mail: stvalentinechurch@yahoo.com Parish Website: www.stvalentinechurch.com

ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK Archdiocesan Website: www. org

Mission Statement We, the Parish Family of Saint Valentine, are a Roman Catholic Community within the local Church of the Archdiocese of Newark. The celebrations of the mass and the other sacraments are central to our identity as a parochial community which worships God in communion with family, neighbors and friends. Celebrating the Eucharist unites us to be a sign of the Kingdom of God present among us, yet ever growing as a reality, as we follow Christ, proclaiming and witnessing to his Gospel in our lives. Through liturgical worship and the ministries of the Church, we love and serve each other in our service of God. THEREFORE, we the Parish Community of Saint Valentine, are dedicated to serving others within and outside ourselves, as we strive to deepen our own response to the Lord and to announce the Good News of salvation in Christ.

CATECHETICAL PROGRAM Please contact the Catechetical Office to enroll children for Catechism. For further information, please contact the Religious Education Office: (973) 743-6122.

CATECHETICAL FORMATION The Catechetical programs are open only to registered parishioners. Regular worship at Sunday Mass is an obligation and duty. The Christian formation of children require regular attendance and discipline in Catechism classes for the growing knowledge of our faith and doctrine, in order to prepare children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist & Confirmation. CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD Celebrated at the 10 AM. Sunday Mass. After the Introduction, the priest sends the children to celebrate their own Liturgy of the Word on the Sunday Scriptures. Then, the children join the assembly for the Eucharist. We invite and encourage all children to participate. Check Bulletin Calendar for Schedule.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION An Adult faith formation with various stages

of the Catechumenate. Call the parish office for information. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptism is celebrated once a month at the Sunday 12 Noon Mass, as noted in the Bulletin. Parents should contact the Parish Office at least two months prior to scheduled dates in order to make required preparation. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Christian Marriage is God’s call to a baptized man and woman to love each other in a indissoluble relationship for the whole of life and open to the Catholic formation of their children. Contact Fr. Basil one year in advance. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK The Sacrament of the Sick (Holy Anointing) is for both spiritual and physical healing. For anointing before an operation, or for the infirmed or homebound, please call Fr. Basil’s cellphone anytime (201) 364-9808. SOCIAL CONCERNS The St. Valentine’s Social Concerns Ministry is compelled by the love of Christ to show His compassion and love to persons with

identified needs in our parish.

MARIAN DEVOTIONS Join us for the Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal after the 8:00 AM. Mass on Saturdays. ROSARY Join us for the Rosary before the 8:00 AM. Daily Mass in the Rectory Chapel.

PARISH REGISTRATION For your ongoing Christian faith formation and participation in the life of the Church, please register as a member of our Parish at the Rectory Office. By virtue of your Baptism, you have a responsibility and duty to your soul to celebrate the Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, and to regularly receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Third Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2020

CHURCH OF SAINT VALENTINE Corner of East Passaic Ave. & Hoover Ave., Bloomfield, NJ

125 NORTH SPRING STREET BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY 07003

Page : Third Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2020

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

SATURDAY March 14

5:30 pm Matthew Florczak (Athletic Club)

SUNDAY March 15 (Third Sunday of Lent) 8:00 am Roderick Chen

10:00 am The People of the Parish

12:00 pm Patrick Kennedy (Mazzeo Family)

MONDAY March 16 8:00 am Dennis Petrucci (Victor & Donna Bulkowski)

TUESDAY March 17 (St Patrick, Bishop) 8:00 am Roland Cook (Salvetta Family)

WEDNESDAY March 18 (St Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop) 8:00 am Edward Szefer (Maria Szefer)

THURSDAY March 19 (St Joseph, Spouse of BVM) 8:00 am Thomas Family (Gloria Matson)

FRIDAY March 20 (Abstinence from Meat) 8:00 am Thomas Family (Gloria Matson)

SATURDAY March 21

8:00 am Evelyn Prato (Gerard & Katty Covello)

5:30 pm Dennis Petrucci (Victor & Donna Bulkowski)

SUNDAY March 22 (Fourth Sunday of Lent) 8:00 am Santo & Beatrice Perri (Cristina Gabriele)

10:00 am Bob & Kathy Westiwel (Westiwel Family)

12:00 pm The People of the Parish

CALENDAR OF EVENT

SATURDAY March 14

8:30 am Miraculous Medal Novena (Chapel)

2:00 pm Women’s A.A. (Rectory Basement)

4:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation (Church)

8:00 pm Catechumenal Eucharist (Rectory)

SUNDAY March 15 (Third Sunday of Lent) 11:00 am Catechism, Grades 1-8 (School)

MONDAY March 16 8:00 pm Adult Faith Formation (Church)

TUESDAY March 17 (St Patrick, Bishop)

8:00 pm Liturgy of the Word (Rectory)

FRIDAY March 20 (Abstinence from Meat) 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross (Church) 8:00 pm Prayer Group (Chapel)

SATURDAY March 21

8:30 am Miraculous Medal Novena (Chapel)

2:00 pm Women’s A.A. (Rectory Basement)

4:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation (Church)

2nd Collection: Snow Removal Collection Holy Land Sales (Church Vestibule)

8:00 pm Catechumenal Eucharist (Rectory)

SUNDAY March 22 (Fourth Sunday of Lent) 2nd Collection: Snow Removal Collection Holy Land Sales (Church Vestibule)

11:00 am Catechism, Grades 1-8 (School)

CHURCH COLLECTION

Sunday Collection 03/08/2020 $4,228.39 Fish Fry Fundraiser 03/06/2020 $1,013.00

Thank you for your kind donations!

The 2020 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal has begun. The Archdiocese has given a goal for our parish of $27,602. Any money collected above this goal will be returned to us. Please give generously. The Archdiocese of Newark will send you the envelopes and the Annual Appeal Brochures.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Fourth Sunday of Lent

1 Sam 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23: 1-6; Eph 5: 8-14; Jn 9: 1-41

The Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross (Via Crucis in Latin) is a spiritual pilgrimage through the Passion of Christ. It depicts the

path taken by Christ through the Via Dolorosa in Jerusa-lem on his way to be crucified and die on his cross on Good Friday. That is why we celebrate the Stations of the Cross on Fridays in Lent. We celebrate the manifestation of Christ’s love for us in his suffering and death.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt 16: 24). As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are invit-ed to follow him in the Way of the Cross, always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body (2 Cor 4: 10). In this Season of Lent, join us for the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7pm in the Church.

Page Three: Third Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2020

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parishioners

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Jn 4: 5-42), Jesus meets a Samaritan woman. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” Jesus is asking her for water, when he is the living water of eternal life.

The Samaritans were descended from the Babylonian exiles who returned to Israel but they were polytheists because they worshiped the gods of the Babylonians and Assyrians who enslaved them. The ten lost tribes of Israel had been taken away as slaves. Those that came back were despised for their idol worship.

Why did they fall into the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians? Because Israel broke their covenant with God. They did not keeping the day of rest, the Sabbaths, they wanted to make more money; the love of money is the root of all evil. So, God let them fall into the hands of their enemies. Well, Jesus goes to look for these Samaritans, the lost sheep of Israel, just as he is looking for us to invite us to follow him.

Jesus knows that the people of the world have souls that are thirsty because they do not have the living water that Jesus can give. They live in a desert where love, life or happiness does not last. The devil quickly takes away what appears to be happiness, and without the Good Shepherd, the difficulties and sufferings seem to last forever.

When the disciples brought food to Jesus, he said to them, “My food is to do the will of the One who sent me and to finish his work.” It is the will of God that Jesus calls back those who are lost in worshipping idols that cannot give life. These are the idols that we worship every day: our hubris, our self-centered will, our love of money, popularity and success; in other words, whatever builds up our earthly kingdom. We are even willing to use our religion, our family and friends to get what we want, and we convince our-selves that we are doing something good.

Instead, Jesus comes to enlighten us about how we are being deceived. He gives us strength to abandon the idols of the world, and to worship God in spirit and truth. No longer lying to ourselves but living in truth and worshipping God in the depth of our spirit. So that swept clean, the soul can become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Let us repent, convert to the Lord, and let Jesus Christ give us the waters of life.

- Fr. Basil Lek.

Butter Lambs & Palm Crosses

Get ready your Easter Meal! In support of the parish, Butter Lambs are on sale now at $5.00 each.

Also, Palm Crosses are on sale at $8.00 each. Place your orders in the Order Forms in the Vestibule of the Church or call Patty Krawiec for your order at 973-380-6626.

Celebrate the Anniversary of our Christian Marriages

We are once again preparing the annual tradition of thanking God for those couples in our Archdiocese who will be celebrating five, twenty-five and fifty years of Christian Marriage in the year 2020.

These anniversary liturgies will be celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Tobin in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark as follows:

April 19, 2020 3:00pm 5 & 25 years (All Counties)

May 3, 2020 3:00pm 50 Years (All Counties)

It is our desire that every couple in the Archdiocese deserving of such recog-nition be present at the appropriate liurgy. The presence of a large

number of couples will be a tender witness to the strength and stability of Christian Marriage in to-day’s society. Please call the Parish Office for more information at 973-743-0220.

IHA’s spring Musical Mamma Mia!

Please join us for Immaculate Heart Academy's spring produc-tion of Mamma Mia! On April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and April 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets for this spring musical, with outstanding

performers singing legendary music from ABBA, are $15 each. Tickets are available for pre-purchase at ihatheater.com and sold at the door. For more infor-mation, visit ihatheater.com, call IHA at 201-445-6800, or email Ms. Maureen McNulty at mmcnulty@ihanj.com. Immaculate Heart Academy is located at 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Township of Washington, NJ 07676.

Page Third Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2020

St Valentine Choir

Come let us sing joyfully to the Lord; cry out to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with a song of praise, joyfully singing out our psalms

(Ps 95: 1-2)

Come join the Choir and use your voice for praising God. Our Choir practice is on Friday at 7:45pm after the

Stations of the Cross.

Enroll with Gary Sabak, our Music Director, or inform the Rectory Office: (973) 743-0220.

St Thomas the Apostle September Club Trips 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

“Sister Act” 7:00pm at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn April 23rd (Thursday) preceded by Prefix Dinner at La Cucina Di Clemenza Restaurant. $100.00 Per Person includes Ticket to Performance, Dinner, Bus Trans-portation, & all Gratuities. Bus will depart St Thomas at 3pm. Minimal Walking. Join us for this fun show. $25 due upon Sign-Up & $75 Balance by March 30th. (Minimum 39 to run & Maximum 53)

Noon Prefix Lunch at Carmine’s Restaurant in NYC & Visit to Hudson Yards May 14th (Thursday) Following Lunch we will stop at Hudson Yards (upscale shopping) & the climbable (also has elevator) sculpture called “The Vessel” that affords great views of the waterfront. $101 per Per-son includes Lunch, Bus Transportation, & all Gratui-ties. Bus will depart St Thomas at 10am. Moderate walking at Hudson Yards, but distance & pace up to you. Join us to dine at one of the premier Italian res-taurants in NYC. $20 due upon Sign-Up & $81 Bal-ance by April 17th. (Minimum 39 to run & Maximum 40- 50 persons).

Call Fran Gardella at 848-448-4335 or email her at fgardella@hotmail.com to get the individual Information Sheets that have a stub at the bottom to be returned with your deposit to reserve your spot on a Trip.

Prayer Request for the Sick

If you would like the parish to pray for a parishioner, relative or friend, please call the Parish Office at (973) 743-0220.

Please pray for the following infirmed:

Janice Mannello, Rosemarie Michelle, Doris Dinardo , Carmella Baccarri, Nicole Maiore, Alexandra Mahasky,

Colbie Durborow, Michael Wegrzeynek, Matthias Birmingham, Ron Chanco & Gina Maiore

If there is any parishioner who is sick or dying and would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please call Fr Basil Lek at (201) 364-9808 (cell) at anytime night or day.

Protect Unborn Chidren

An unborn child’s heart beats at about the 22nd day after conception.

At the fourth month the unborn child has finger prints

By the 50th day (the second month of pregnancy) the unborn child has highly pigmented eyes

By the sixth or seventh week, the unborn child’s heart is beating between 40 and 80 every minute

ICHS Food Festival & Tricky Tray

Immaculate Conception High School 258 South Main Street in Lodi, NJ, will be

holding its annual “Taste Of...” Food Festival & Tricky Tray event on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 6:30 PM.

To buy tickets or learn about sponsorship opportuni-ties, please visit– www.ichslodi.org. You can also contact Dr. Sonaliz A. Morel-Baker at (973) 472-7231/ giving@ichslodi.org.

Come celebrate St Joseph’s Feast Day at St Mary’s Church

17 Monsignor Owens Place, Nutley, NJ

The Novena Tues March 10 to Wed March 18, 7pm in Church.

Solemnity of St Joseph, Solemn Mass Thursday March 19, 7pm in Church.

The St Joseph Altar, Table and Dinner Following the Solemn Mass on March 19, all are invited to the St Joseph Altar, Ta-ble and Dinner to be held in Msgr Walsh

Hall. A limited number of tickets will be sold at $10 per person. Purchase tickets at the Novena or the Par-ish Center Office during business hours.