St. Matthew Parish 19 Dora Lane, Limerick, Maine 04048-3527

Tel. 207-793-2244 Website: www.stmatthewlimerick.org

Email: StMatthew@portlanddiocese.org Diocese of Portland Diocesan website: www.portlanddiocese.org

We welcome you to the Catholic Community of St. Matthew and the celebration of the Eucharist.

ST. MATTHEW PARISH STAFF:

V. Rev. Wilfred Labbe, Pastor

V. Rev. Jack Dickinson, Parochial Vicar

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, Pastoral Associate

Heather Silva, Administrative Assistant

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, P.C.L.

Deacon Paul Lissandrello Altar Server Coord.

Gail Libby, Music Director, 207-423-5998

FINANCE COMMISSION:

Kevin LaFreniere

Theressa Harrigan

LaurieJane Kelley

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:

Jon DiCentes, Grand Knight, 247-8875

BIRTHPLACE HELPLINE:

Abortion Alternatives/Project Rachel,

1-800-227-3002

WEEKEND MASSES:

Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

WEEKDAY MASSES:

8:00 a.m. - Monday Prayer Service

8:00 a.m. - Tuesday*, Thursday*, Friday*

7:30 a.m. - Wednesday* *Check weekly bulletin for possible time changes.

BAPTISMS: Parents who want to have their child(ren) baptized are

asked to please call the parish office (793-2244).

WEDDINGS: Anyone planning to get married must call the parish

office at least SIX MONTHS PRIOR to the proposed wedding date.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday at 3:00 p.m., AND ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT.

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to St. Matthew Parish. Please fill out the Par-

ish Membership Form below and drop it in the collec-tion basket or mail to the parish office.

DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: 324-1802 or 1-800-239-7298

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN: www.portlanddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children

We joyfully welcome back to the Church any of our brothers and sisters who may have been away. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Name ______________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City _______________________________________________ Zip Code ___________________________________________ Phone No.___________________________________________ Email Address________________________________________ Check _____New Registration _____Updating Info. _____Change of Address _____Moving out of Parish

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEKEND

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Bella & Joseph Estrella

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Chris & Chrystal Denis by The Marchessault Family

10:30 a.m. Intentions of the Parishioners

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

Monday Miraculous Medal Novena & 8:00 a.m. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Joseph Cote by Constance Cote

Wednesday 7:30 a.m. Rev. Lionel Chouinard by Constance Cote

Thursday 8:00 a.m. Rev. A. Levasseur by Constance Cote

Friday 8:00 a.m. Our Lady of Rosary for Prayers Answered By Constance Cote

MASS INTENTIONS NEXT WEEKEND (March 28 & 29)

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Isabel & George Stewart by The Estrella Family Sunday 8:00 a.m. James Matthews by The Marchessault Family

10:30 a.m. Linda Ledoux by the Fiber Arts Group

Readings for the Week of March 22, 2020

Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [1]/Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34- 38 Monday: Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b [2a]/Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12/Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9/Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 [8a and 9a]/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23 [4a]/Jn 5:31- 47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23 [19a]/Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12 [2a]/Jn 7:40 -53 Next Sunday: Ez 37:12-14/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 [7]/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Would you like to have the Sanctuary Lamp burn in the church for your loved one? There is a list in the Narthex you can sign up for the weeks you want.

Donations of $10 for 7 Days and $20 for 14 Days.

Sanctuary Lamp burning:

March 9—April 12th—Kenneth Gagne

St. Matthew Church Limerick

TODAY IS THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT. THE READINGS BEGIN ON PAGE 79 OF THE MISSALETTE. Pastor’s Pondering

I have to admit as I sit here composing this essay on anger, I am feeling more than a bit of anger. I suspect, given the circum-stances presented to us with the corona virus , there may even be a coexisting pandemic of anger. Some of this anger may seem reasonable and some may even seem necessary, but most of it is just adding additional levels of anxiety which causes more anger which causes more anxiety and so on and so on… First, we need to know what makes anger a deadly sin. There is, indeed such a thing as righteous anger. When we see injustice, we may become angry. When we are the victim of a crime, we may become angry. When we are nearly in an accident because of the negligence of another we may become angry. An-ger is by nature morally neutral. That is, anger is an emotion that arises from our passions in response to a stimulus we cannot con-trol. It’s what we do with our anger or what we allow our anger to do to us that rises to the level of being a deadly sin. When anger becomes hostility, when it becomes a desire for revenge then it becomes a deadly sin. When we desire to harm someone for what they have done to us, when we find satisfac-tion in the thought of another person being hurt or injured, when we take joy in the troubles of another person then we have al-lowed anger to become a sin that drives a wedge between God and us. For many of us, in this time of crisis, anger has become a default response to much of what is out of our control. We allow the loss of some control or freedom to become reason to be an-gry. This type of anger leads to selfishness. Rather than be incon-venienced by what we are being told to do; we decide what is best for ourselves without concern for how it affects others. This too can become a sin that damages and perhaps destroys our rela-tionship with God. Finally, we need to remember that for many of us anger is our response to the unknown. It’s how we respond when some-thing causes us to be afraid. Anger can often be our default re-sponse to things that are outside of our control or in the realm of the unknown. This too can lead to us thinking that we need to be in control of everything, or that we have the skill or knowledge to be in control of everything. Ultimately this type of anger can lead to the other deadly sin of pride. So how do we avoid anger? Not many will like this answer. The counter to anger is patience. Patience is the virtue that al-lows us to adapt to and endure all that is going on around us. Patience is the strength to respond to our surroundings in a way that reduces our desire to be in control or to harbor destructive feelings towards others. Patience allows us to keep our wits about us when all around us are losing their minds. Patience allows us to practice self-control and to respond to the events around us in a measured and proportional way. At times it will be necessary to express anger, it will be necessary to “blow off steam,” but the virtue of patience helps us to do this in a way that seeks resolution rather than causing harm. Patience helps us to control our anger when otherwise our anger would control us. In the end we have very little control over what may cause us anger, but we are able to control how we deal with our anger. We can use our anger to turn an unjust situation into a moment of justice, we can use our anger to rail against unfair practices, we can use our anger to make changes that bring about the good of the many. But we must always remember that anger that is not tempered with patience causes more harm than good. Next week: Gluttony!

~ Fr. Bill

Fifth Sunday of Lent

"Thank you so much to the vegetable peelers, dishwashers, servers, cooks, carvers, decorators, sanitizers, donations, ticket sellers, supporters, those

who came to eat, electricians, and so many more that helped make St. Patrick's Day dinner a success! We love you all." The dinner made a profit of approximately $780.

All parish events and activities through the end of APRIL have been cancelled with the exception of Mass and Confession. Please check the website, or our Facebook page frequently for updated information.

Prayer for Our Country

Good and gracious Father,

You created the human race as one human family, yet formed a special people for Your own.

God of Abraham the Patriarch, God of King David, watch over our nation!

May our government leaders be blessed with wisdom, counsel, and prudent discernment in creating just laws for our land.

May all service men and women be protected as they defend our freedom and way of life.

May all citizens work together for the common good and the protection of the least among us. Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, it is in

Your coming kingdom that we place our trust. Give us the grace here and now to love as you love

and to serve as you served. Holy Spirit, inspire us to transform our communities

on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH FOOD PANTRY

THE PANTRY SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

1st Monday of the month: 6-7pm EVERY Tuesday 10am-12pm

**Serving residents of Limerick, Newfield, Parsonsfield or parishioners.

St. Matthew Food Pantry is always in need of a few items they have a hard time purchasing from Good Shepherd. Would you be willing to donate these items? A collection container can be found in the Narthex under the tables.

Pasta Hamburger Helper* Condiments* Canned Meat Spaghetti Sauce* Chef Boyardee* Jelly & Jams* Soups Cereal* Oatmeal* Canned Veggies Mac & Cheese Crackers* Granola Bars* Fruit Snacks*

Bread & Eggs are always useful, if you can drop during pantry hours.

*These items we tend to have a shortage of.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Plastic & paper bags are needed for the Food Pantry. You may leave them in the narthex in the Food Pantry bin.

PARISH FINANCES Amount needed weekly to operate parish $ 4,200.00 Offertory 3/15/20 $ 2,204.00 WeShare 3/11/20-3/17/20 $ 981.50 MARCH 2020 OFFERTORY $ 11,919.25 BELOW March Offertory Goal $ (680.75)

WHAT SHALL I BRING TO THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, WHEN I COME TO WORSHIP HIM? - Micah 6:6

THIS Week’s Second Collection- Catholic Relief Services has been a leading international humanitarian agency since 1943. Highly trusted and globally respected, we partner with people, organizations and governments around the world to end poverty, disease, hunger and injustice—always based on need, not creed. Guided by the belief that we are all one human family, CRS puts humanity first.

DID YOU GRAB YOUR RICE BOWL? (ask an usher)

Lenten Alms Change Lives: CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten pro-gram of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief and develop-ment agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Through CRS Rice Bowl, faith communities in every diocese throughout the United States put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in roughly 45 different countries each year. 25% of all donations to CRS Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, CRS Rice Bowl has raised nearly $300 million.

What is a CRS Rice Bowl? The iconic CRS Rice Bowl is a staple on the table of Catholic families across the country during Lent. This simple cardboard box is a tool for collecting Lenten alms—and comes with a Lenten calendar that guides families through the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections and stories.

The St. Matthew Food Pantry is remaining open, but will do pan-try to go. We would like you to remain in your car, or return to the car once you have notified us you are here. Food will be brought out to you by a volunteer. If you are unable to get to the pantry, please call the office and we will make delivery plans with you, 793-2244. HOME BOUND: If you are home bound and unable to go to the store for necessary items, please call the office, 793-2244. We have people willing to do your shopping for you and deliver to your home.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM “PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN”

In the interest of children’s safety, we ask that children not be allowed to leave Mass to use the restrooms downstairs, unless they are accom-panied by an adult. Because we are a public building, doors are required to be unlocked, allowing entrance to all.

March 22, 2020

Please include the following priests serving in our diocese in your daily prayers this week:

Mar 22 Rev. Emile H Dube/Rev. Anthony F. Kuzia CM Mar 23 Rev. John Mazzei/V. Rev. Daniel P. Greenleaf Mar 24 Our Holy Father Mar 25 Rev. Joseph W. Cahill/V. Rev. Thomas M Murphy Mar 26 Msgr. Andrew Dubois/Rev. Alfred Jacques Mar 27 Rev. Hubert J Paquet/Msgr. Richard S. Sniezyk Mar 28 Msgr. Charles M Murphy/Rev. Raymond P. Morency

Our priests speak to the faithful with their hearts and their faith. Fill them, Lord, with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners.

St. Matthew Church

Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Monday: Prayer serv. 8:00 AM

Tue, Thur, Fri: 8:00 AM*

Wednesday: 7:30 AM*

*Subject to priest availability.

St. Therese Lesieux Parish

Saturday: 4:00 PM Holy Family, Sanford

Sunday: 7:30 AM Notre Dame, Springvale 9:00 AM & 11AM Holy Family, Sanford

MTF 7:30 AM Holy Family W 9:00 AM Holy Family TH 6:00 PM Holy Family

Check often for Daily Mass Changes

“The Lord looks on the heart.” Are you being called to do the deeds of Christ as a priest or in the consecrated life, proclaiming the reign of the loving mercy of God our Father? Call Father Seamus Griesbach at (207) 773-6471 or write: sea-mus.griesbach@portlanddiocese.org.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He an-swered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he wor-shiped him.

The 6 Characteristics of an Everyday Stewardship for Lent – Gracious Vacations can be great times for refueling the body and renewing bonds within a family and between friends. No matter how good the vacation was, it is almost always good to get home when it is over. Sleeping in our own bed, taking a shower in our own bathroom, and resting on our own couch are some of the aspects of home we can miss while on the road. That’s why encountering truly gracious and hospitable people while we are away is so important. These people are not family, but they sure can provide for us a glimpse of home. They can be waiters at a restaurant, desk hosts at a hotel, or even Uber drivers. They enrich our lives if for only a moment, yet that moment can make all the difference.

When disciples of Jesus Christ act in a gracious manner to all those they meet, they provide a glimpse of home. This home is not in a house in a particular location, but it is a home prepared for all of us for eternity. No matter how comfortable we may be in our earthly homes, it truly pales in comparison to eternity with God. In that heavenly home, there is no darkness, only light. There are no tears, only joy. There is no hate, only love.

We are ambassadors for heaven by how we offer ourselves to others. Our stewardship of hospitality allows others to see a glimpse of what God promises to us. Unless we truly step up and act in a gracious manner, will those we encounter ever know the Truth? I hate it when I am on the road and fail to meet people full of joy and welcome. At least I can look forward to coming home. What do those along the way look forward to in the next life that you can’t show them a glimpse of in this one?

— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

©LPi

March 22, 2020