EASTER SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S RESURRECTION

Look again at the ending of the Gospel reading: “For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” Sometimes we lose that statement when we hear this Gospel passage. The disciples at the tomb were confused, they were disbelieving, they were afraid, astonished, thought his body had been stolen, and perhaps had even more reactions. We know for sure they didn’t understand what had happened. Their discovery of the empty tomb really did not make sense until Jesus later began to appear to his friends.

In a way, the good news they discovered was too good to be true. Sometimes it also takes us a long time to let any wonderful, amazing, “unbelievable” good news seep into our hearts and minds. No wonder the disciples were slow to believe. Yet, Easter is the keystone of the whole life of Jesus. Without Easter, his life, which had promised so very much, would have been, if not a failure, a huge disappointment. However, because of the Resurrection, everything in his ministry has an amazing significance. Because of the Resurrection, his disciples, including the doubters who visited the tomb that first Easter, began the mission of the Church. That mission continues today in the life of the Church, in our own hears and words and actions.

Rejoice, heavenly powers!
Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song
of all God’s people!

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
There is no celebration in the church year that is as rich in signs and symbols as is the Easter Vigil. From eight o’clock at night when we begin, to the actions and objects we use, we are almost bombarded with images and reminders of God’s saving action in human history. For this is a night in which time almost stands still as we remember events long past and yet celebrate God’s present saving grace. All of the centuries melt into one glorious story culminating in the joy of Jesus’ rising from the dead. The memory of this night dispels all our fears and restores innocence and brings us peace. Kris, our catechumen, and Terry, our candidate, will tell and re-tell the events of this night for the rest of their lives. This Easter season begs us to celebrate our history and tell our stories. There is a cultural custom of telling jokes on Easter Sunday, recalling the great and unexpected “joke” played on Death this day. Let us delight in surprising each other with the unexpected—a good story or even a good joke.

May God bless you all with the fullness of life and love of this holy season.

Peace and all Good,
Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M., Pastor

PARISH CALENDAR

March 30 Taizé Prayer Around the Cross, 6:30 PM
April 9 Confirmation at St. Raphael’s Church (5444 Hollister Avenue)
April 19 Baptism Class at 6:30 PM
April 24 Baptisms at the 9:00 AM Mass
May 1 First Communion at the 10:00 AM Mass

Do You Know …

First, we kept the forty days, with praying, fasting and giving alms. Then we celebrated the three days of Christ’s passion, dying and rising. Now we delight in the fifty days, with rejoicing, feasting and giving witness! The season of Easter is fifty days long. It is a time of unbridled joy, of exuberant rejoicing. The church tells us, “The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day, or better as one ‘great Sunday.’ These above all others are days for the singing of the Alleluia.”

Why is Eastertime fifty days? The ancient cultures that gave us the Bible had great respect for numbers. They believed that numbers contained hints about God and the meaning of life. The number seven was thought to contain fullness— there are seven days in the week, according to God’s original way of ordering time, creating all that there is and resting. So if you multiply 7 times 7, you have “fullness times fullness.”

But wait! 7x7=49! With God, there is always more—more than we can ever imagine. So our holy season of Easter is even more than “fullness times fullness.” It’s “fullness times fullness” and then some: 7x7+1. That’s what God’s love is like—more than we can ever imagine. That’s what heaven is going to be like—more than we can ever imagine.

The fifty days are days for looking for the risen Lord among us, for hearing in each other’s stories of rising from the big and small deaths, days when we experience something of Christ’s triumphs. That’s why we look to the newly baptized with gladness. At Easter, they died and rose with Christ! Now they take their places with us. Together, like the apostles who were so full of the Spirit, we rush about with good and giddy news: Death is not the last word! Life and love are forever! And slowly, painstakingly, we work together, together with Christ, to change this world into the world to come. Sing Alleluia!


Readings for the Week of March 27, 2005

Monday:
Acts 2:14,22-33/Ps 16:1-2,5,7-11/Mt 28:8-15

Tuesday:
Acts 2:36-41/Ps 33:4-5,18-20,22/Jn 20:11-18

Wednesday:
Acts 3:1-10/Ps 105:1-4,6-9/Lk 24:13-35

Thursday:
Acts 3:11-26/Ps 8:2,5-9/Lk 24:35-48

Friday:
Acts 4:1-12/Ps 118/1-2,4,22-27/Jn 21:1-14

Saturday:
Acts 4:13-21/Ps 118:1,14-15,16-21/Mk 16:9-15


The Catholic Church Welcomes You!

Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a community-based process for welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic Church that is guided by the Gospel and the lived example of the community. Adults learn about the Catholic tradition and prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Parish Office (682-4151).

Secular Franciscans

Secular Franciscans are a community of Catholic men and women who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis. This international order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi almost 800 years ago. For more information, please contact Bob Carman at 964-1042.

Youth Ministry

Senior High “LifeTeen Mass” takes place Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM at our partner parish, St. Raphael’s. It is followed by “LifeNight” at 7:00 PM. The Junior High Youth Ministry “Tobiah Club” meets at St. Raphael’s on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. For more information, please contact St. Raphael Parish Youth Minister, John Vasellina at 964-3466, ext. 1.

“Get on the Bus”

Most incarcerated women never see their children. On Friday, May 6th, you can help make it possible for children to see their mothers at the Valley State Prison for Women and the Central California Women’s Facility, both in Chowchilla; the Corona Institute for Women; and the Ventura Youth Authority for offenders ages 12 through 24. We are looking for people who can help with the hospitality committee, putting together gift bags and gathering medium-sized teddy bears to be given to the children on the way home, donating money for lunches for the bus trip home, or through your prayerful support as a faith community. If you would like to help in any way, please call Catherine Conneally-Salazar, Catholic Chaplain, Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, at (805) 278-3746.


Youth Altar Servers and Adult Acolytes Needed

We are always in need of more youth altar servers and adult acolytes. Training sessions for youth and adults are in progress. For more information, contact Bob and Claudia Chyla at 683-4966.

Pilgrimage to Italy and Sicily
September 1st—21st

Join Fr. Vince for a trip to the holy places of Italy and Sicily. We will visit Rome, Assisi, Capri, Venice, Palermo, a special Marian Festival in Sicily, ancient temples, and much more! The price is $3,500. Come along for a spirit-filled and joy-filled experience. For information, please call Fr. Vince Mesi, OFM, at (602) 354-2072. Ciao!

Music Notes

If you are a singer or instrumentalist, your musical gifts are needed at our liturgies. Please contact Dr. Keith Paulson-Thorp, Music Director, for details on how you might join in our music ministries.

Applications for Notre Dame

Notre Dame School is now accepting student applications for Pre-School through 8th grade. Applications are available in the school office (33 E. Micheltorena Street) or by calling 965-1033.

In Honor of Cesar E. Chavez

The annual Mass to honor the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez will be held on Thursday, March 31st, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles). For more information, please call (213) 637-7690.

Kinship, Hope and the Journey of God’s Own Heart

On Saturday, April 9th, Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, and Loyola Marymount University present a special workshop exploring the themes of God, reconciliation, hope, solidarity and resurrection through the narrative prism of life in East Los Angeles among gangs and the poor. A nationally renown speaker, he has many years of experience in ministry in Los Angeles, as a pastor of Dolores Mission, and in work with your people and communities affected by gangs. The workshop will be held in Huesman Chapel, Loyola Marymount University, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The cost is $55. To register, go to http://extension.lmu.edu/religion, email CRS@lmu.edu or call 310-338-2799.

Scholarships Available

Santa Barbara Council #1684 of the Knights of Columbus will award four $2000 scholarships for the upcoming 2005-2006 academic year to students that will be attending Bishop Diego High School, and $1250 each for the two Catholic Elementary Schools. Applications are available at the school office. The complete application must be returned by April 16, 2005.

Placement Exam Info

Bishop Garcia Diego High School’s Placement Exam for incoming freshmen will be held from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Thursday, April 7th, at 4000 La Colina Road. For reservations, call 967-1266 ext. 18. Financial assistance is available.

Marriage Encounter

Spring is here. Make it last with a Marriage Encounter weekened! Upcoming dates are April 15th-17th in Hawthorne and April 22nd-24th in Woodland Hills. For more information, call Russ and Jeanine at 648-4244, email info@wwme-la-north.org, or visit www.wwme-la-north.org.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 12:45 PM. Our mission is to help and to serve the poor. Call our voicemail at 687-7547 and leave a message for more information.

Thank You for Helping to “Make Hunger History”

The Parish’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee would like to thank you for participating in Bread for the World’s “Make Hunger History” campaign by signing postcards to our members of Congress asking them to co-sponsor legislation to cut the number of people who are at risk of hunger in the United States in half by 2010 and to commit to ending hunger in our country by 2015. A total of 785 postcards were signed.

Together in Mission Annual Appeal

“Together in Mission” will provide financial support to the 32 parishes and 46 schools most in need within the Archdiocese this year. Many thanks to those who have already responded with donations or pledges. Our parish goal for this this year’s appeal is $59,362 of which $29,687 has been collected—we’re half way there! If you have not yet made a donation or pledge, please consider doing so. Pledge cards are available on the table in the back of the church. Thank you for your generosity.

Prepare for Next Sunday’s Liturgy

Second Sunday of Easter


First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31


Reflection on Next Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word

Next Sunday’s readings center on faith. Acts tells us the early community of believers took the gospel to heart and formed their lives on its message. Peter writes to encourage the newly baptized Christians who faced hostility. And the Gospel tells the story of Thomas. He insists upon physical evidence before he believes. He doubts, but Jesus knows this and speaks to him through his doubts. He recognizes Thomas as one who can believe and he calls him to faith. The gospel writer encourages his audience to believe in Jesus even though they haven’t actually seen him.


Life Focus

When did you believe because of a sign and not by faith?

Name a time when you believed by faith.

Share an experience when you hesitated to admit that you were a Catholic.

Relate a time when you overcome your doubts and became stronger in your relationship with God.

When have you ever felt “sent” by the Lord?

Relate a time when you did something to help strengthen someone’s belief.

What hinders you from believing in Jesus in your life?

Do you ever identify with Thomas in your spiritual life, and how do you handle periods of doubt?


Traveling?

For nationwide Mass times and locations, visit www.MassTimes.org.

Getting in the Parish Bulletin

For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office. Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is truly touching. Jesus loved Lazarus, and when he died, Jesus was deeply saddened. In the gospel story, John makes it clear that it was out of love for Lazarus that Jesus called him back to life. There is a profound lesson here for us.

One of the major underpinnings of the Christian faith is its tenacious belief in eternal life—that we are destined to live forever. When we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, we will also celebrate the belief in our own resurrection. Jesus presented clear teachings in life after death, where, as Paul describes it, “no eye has seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love God.” Jesus promised the thief who died alongside him, “Truly, I tell you, this day you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus preached that he would separate the goats from the sheep and the sheep will enter “eternal life.”

The heart of the Christian message is the joyful revelation of God’s limitless love for us. Jesus revealed God as the absolute lover who numbers every hair on our heads. In the final analysis, it is God’s complete and utter love for us that overpowers death. The author of life has power over life, and in loving us absolutely, God will never, ever, let us go.

The significance of understanding God’s love for us is monumental. As we enter the final weeks of Lent, let us spend prayerful moments meditating on God’s love. Ponder that love. Dwell on its ramifications. Consider its meaning. As in the case of Jesus and Lazarus, love overpowers death.


Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Last Saturday our religious education class, in preparing for their First Eucharist, celebrated their First Penance. Linda Ruffton, their teacher, the parents and the children themselves prepared very well for this moment of meeting Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The gospel story of Zacchaeus figured largely in the celebration. It was the gospel for the Penance Liturgy, was part of one of the lessons in the preparation sessions, and was the story that the children and I talked about individually before their first confessions. It is a great story about Zacchaeus who wants to see Jesus (just as we do). Ol’ Zacch had a shadowy reputation (just as we do). Jesus looked up at this silly figure in a tree (haven’t we all done silly things) and said, “I want to have dinner with you!” Can you just imagine Zacch’s response? “Oh, way cool, Jesus and I are going to have dinner!” The result was that, on the way to dinner, Zacchaeus resolved to make right anything he had done to damage his relationships by ten times!

As our children want to see Jesus, so do we. As our children are preparing for Eucharist, so are we, and we do so continually. Jesus wants to have dinner with us, too! It’s not just Zacchaeus; Jesus wants to spend time with us because Jesus believes we are good company. So in preparation for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Easter Vigil, can we answer Jesus’ invitation and spend some time with him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? This year there are two scheduled Communal Celebrations of the Sacrament: on Saturday, March 19th at 10:30 AM and on Monday, March 21st at 7:00 PM. Participation has been somewhat lukewarm in the past. Isn’t it time to change that? Oops, there’s that word again, “change.” Forget fear! It’s really way out cool! Jesus wants to have dinner with you.

Peace and all Good,

Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M., Pastor

_________________________________________

Easter Purification & Enlightenment

Communal Reconciliation

Saturday, March 19 • 10:30 AM
Monday, March 21 • 7:00 PM

Taizé Prayer Around the Cross

Wednesday, March 16•• 6:30 PM

Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 18 • 12:00 Noon
_________________________________________

The Sacred Three Days
The Triduum
Holy Thursday • March 24

7:30 AM Morning Prayer (no Mass)
7:00 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper


Good Friday • March 25

7:30 AM Morning Prayer (no Mass)
12:00 Noon Outdoor Stations of the Cross
3:00 PM Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion



Holy Saturday•• March 26

7:30 AM Morning Prayer (no Mass)
8:00 PM Glorious Easter Vigil



Easter Sunday • March 27

Masses of the Lord’s Resurrection
7:30 AM • 9:00 AM • 10:30 AM • 12:00 Noon
_________________________________________________________

The Holy Season of Renewal

“Each year, you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery with mind and heart renewed. You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you, our God, and of willing service to our neighbor.”

Taizé Prayer Around the Cross

Please join us on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for Taizé prayer. This type of contemplative prayer and song leads us to God in and through the image of Christ crucified.


Lenten Observances

Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. All Catholics 14 years of age and older abstain from meat, and all Catholics 18 to 59 years of age eat sacrificially on this day. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat.

Praying the Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed each Friday during Lent at 12:00 Noon. Join us as we recall and meditate on Jesus’ journey from his condemnation to his burial in the tomb.


Readings for the Week of March 13, 2005


Monday:
Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62/Ps 23:1-6/Jn 8:1-11

Tuesday:
Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3,16-21/Jn 8:21-30

Wednesday:
Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95/Dn 3:52-56/Jn 8:31-42

Thursday:
Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-9/Jn 8:51-59

Friday:
Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-7/Jn 10:31-42

Saturday:
2 Sm 7:4-5,12-14,16/Ps 89:2-5,27,29/Rom 4:13,16-18,22/
Mt 1:16,18-21,24

Do You Know ...

The Catholic faithful use palm branches at Mass on Palm Sunday and take them home for devotional purposes. “Palm Sunday” is the popular name for the Sunday before Easter, though its full title is “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” Two Gospel passages are proclaimed at Mass that day: one tells of people waving branches or spreading cloaks to welcome Jesus in triumph to Jerusalem, and the other tells of his Passion and death.

Any branches may be used in the liturgy, but parishes usually provide palm branches, as mentioned in John’s Gospel (12:13). The faithful hold them at the beginning of the Mass for the blessing and procession.

After Mass, people may take the branches home as a sacramental. Various customs have developed. Some place branches behind a wall-mounted crucifix or other religious image. Others cleverly fold them into crosses. Still others incorporate blessed branches into improvised prayers for protection during harmful weather.

Used palm branches are burned the following year, and the ashes are placed on the heads of the faithful on Ash Wednesday. Some parishes burn their own ashes. People who wish to dispose of old palm branches may offer them back for burning or dispose of them at home in some reverent manner.

Palm branches appear in religious art as a symbol of martyrdom. In the Book of Revelation (7:9), a great multitude praises God with palm branches in hand. In the apocryphal Gospel of pseudo-Matthew (20-21), a palm tree miraculously bends over to nourish the Holy Family on the flight into Egypt, and an angel plants one of its branches in paradise, making the palm a sign of victory in any contest.

PARISH CALENDAR

March 15 Lenten Faith Sharing Groups, 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM
March 16 Taizé Prayer Around the Cross, 6:30 PM
March 18 Stations of the Cross at 12:00 Noon
March 19 Communal Reconciliation, 10:30 AM
March 21 Communal Reconciliation, 7:00 PM

The Beauty of The Season

Everyone is invited to donate Easter lilies or cut calla lilies to help decorate the church during the Easter season. Please bring the plants to the Parish Office by 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 25th.

Many volunteers are needed on Holy Saturday morning to transform the church for the most glorious solemnity of Easter. Please call Mary Heron at 687-6117



“Get on the Bus”
A Mother’s Day Event
For all who wish to support “Get on the Bus” (very young children are chaperoned to the California Youth Authority to visit their mothers on Mother’s Day weekend), come with bread to share and enjoy Sister Barbara’s “Soup at Six” on Friday, March 18th, at Bishop Diego Center. A video of last year’s trip will be shown. Please call 682-1508 to RSVP.


Attention Eucharistic Ministers & Lectors

Please help us! Below is a list of the liturgical ministers still needed at the Triduum Masses:

Good Friday 3:00 PM 5 Eucharistic Ministers

Easter Vigil 8:00 PM 4 Lectors
4 Eucharistic Ministers

Easter Sunday 9:00 AM 11 Eucharistic Ministers

10:30 AM 2 Lectors
7 Eucharistic Ministers

12:00 PM 4 Lectors
12 Eucharistic Ministers

(Sign-up sheets are located in the Sacristy.)

Also, the new ministry schedule for March 1st through May 1st is now available. You may pick up your copy either in the Sacristy or in the Porter’s Office.


Collection for the Universal Church

Today we will have a special collection for the Universal Church. In more than 80 countries worldwide, Catholic Relief Services focuses on improving the lives of those in need by working with local communities and partners overseas in agriculture, community health, education, peace building, and much more. Please give generously.


Bread for the World Action Alert

During the last 20 years the number of people at risk of hunger in the United States has increased from 31 million to more than 36 million, including 13 million children.

St. Barbara Parish is a Bread For the World Covenant Church. Bread for the World, in its “Make Hunger History” campaign, is asking us to write to our members of Congress urging them to co-sponsor legislation to implement the goals they set in 2000 to cut the number of people at risk of hunger in the U.S. in half by the year 2010, and to end hunger in our country by 2015.

Please stop by the tables next to the church today and sign the postcards to Sen. Boxer, Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Capps.


Ushers … Please Take Note

We need your help at the Easter Masses, the fullest Masses of the year! Sign-up sheets can be found by the ushers’ closet. Please sign up today.

Good Friday Collection for the Holy Places

Your help is needed now, as in the days of Saint Francis, to protect the Holy Places of the Holy Land. Even more important, your help is needed to protect the Holy Name of Our Lord in this troubled land which He chose for His birth, sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.

That is why Franciscan Missioners in the Holy Land minister—in Christ’s name—to the people there. The Holy Land Franciscans protect more than the stones of ancient shrines from the ravages of time or armies or tourists. They express the very idea of what it means to follow Christ, just as we do.

Your donation will give life to some and hope to others, lighting candles of faith in darkened shrines and lives. At this sacred time of year, please give generously to the annual Collection for the Shrines (and people) of the Holy Land. A special collection will take place on Good Friday.

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Justice and Peace Committee

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 16th, at 7:00 PM in the Bride’s Room. Please join us. Call Kitty Maxwell at 682-5606 for more information.

Prepare for Next Sunday’s Liturgy

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-27, 66


Reflection on Next Sunday’s
Liturgy of the Word

The crowds demand that Jesus “be crucified.” In this, they side with the religious leaders. Two of Jesus’ chosen disciples also side with values opposed to those Jesus taught and lived. Judas betrays the Lord to the authorities; Peter, who was first among the apostles and first to confess Jesus as the Son of the Living God, now denies that same Jesus out of fear for his own life. Jesus, the obedient Son, deliberately chooses to be faithful to God’s values even though it led to his death. He dies, as he lived, carrying out God’s will.


Life Focus

Describe a time in your life when a job, task or money became more important than someone you loved.

Speak of a person you know who stood alone to stay true to the values of his or her life. How did it influence you?

Share a time when you were faithful to God’s call despite personal sacrifices.

Together in Mission Annual Appeal

“Together in Mission” will provide financial support to the 32 parishes and 46 schools most in need within the Archdiocese this year. Many thanks to those who have already responded with donations or pledges. Our parish goal for this this year’s appeal is $59,362 of which $29,687 has been collected—we’re half way there! If you have not yet made a donation or pledge please prayerfully consider doing so. Thank you for your generosity.


Stewardship Ministry
Sunday, March 6th $10,828.00


Thank you for your continuing generosity!

Don’t forget to use your contribution envelopes.
A good steward believes that everything you have and everything in the world
around you is not yours, but is “on loan” from God, for you to care for accordingly.

Traveling?

For nationwide Mass times and locations, visit www.MassTimes.org.