ST.

COLUMBA CATHOLIC CHURCH

March 23, 2014 Third Sunday of Lent

SAN DIEGO

Soup and Scripture

Wednesday, March 26th 6:00 p.m., Parish Hall
This week we will view "Happy Are We: The Teachings of Jesus," Part II of the beautiful DVD series called Catholicism. Father Barron highlights the Beatitudes, the path of non-violence and lessons of forgiveness, care for the poor and our relationship with God as presented in the parables. Jesus teachings are illuminated during Fr. Barrons pilgrimages to Poland, Germany, Spain and New York City.

Pastors Corner
JESUS CHRIST, THE HOPE OF SINNERS
There is a kind of thought in Catholic spirituality that has the tendency to focus more on sins and punishment rather than on the love of God. With this perspective, God is portrayed as one who is strict and mean and counting the sins of men. In order to please and appease Him, one has to do a lot of sacrifices and in this case, holiness is very difficult to attain. This is not the Christian God that Jesus revealed. The readings today portray Him as God who loves His children unconditionally. The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well is a picture of God dealing with our humanity in our lowest and most vulnerable state. Jesus saw the woman as broken and wounded, and focused not on her sins, but as one in need of compassion and forgiveness. She was looking for happiness but always through the wrong means. Six men could not satisfy her deep longings, but the seventh Man, Jesus Christ, who is the source of Living Water, is the ultimate answer to all her thirst. The longings of her heart can only be satisfied by God. Jesus restored her lost dignity through forgiveness and compassion. The love of God is far greater than all human guilt and sins. Paul described this very beautifully in the second reading by saying that God proved his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The woman found hope, forgiveness and joy in Jesus. Again, Paul proved that hope does not disappoint, because Jesus is the hope of sinners. This hope exists for us too. We have the hope that despite our sins, Gods compassion and mercy will restore us to life. His forgiveness is infinitely more powerful than our guilt. God waits for us especially in the Sacrament of Confession to assure us that He loves us unconditionally. In this unconditional love of God our Father, even the worst sinner finds hope and new life through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Mens Club Fish Bake

Saturday, March 29th 4:00-7:00 pm, Parish Hall
Pre-sale tickets available this weekend after Mass: $7/ adult, $5/child. Baked fish, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, roll, and drinks. Proceeds will benefit the St. Columba School Tuition Assistance Fund. Tickets will also be available at the school office or by calling Ed Ancmon at 858-356-8111.

Missionary Guest
Next weekend at all Masses we will welcome a nun from the Immaculate Mary Queen of Heaven missionaries. Their charism is to rescue women and children victims of prostitution and help break the cycle of poverty.

Mass Intentions for the Week

MONDAY, MARCH 24 7:00 amME Evie Daniel TUESDAY, MARCH 25 7:00 amME Donors Intention WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 7:00 amEC Candy Lane THURSDAY, MARCH 27 7:00 amME James Edward Gainer FRIDAY, MARCH 28 7:00 amME Shawn Kavaney 8:15 amME Leona Rafanan SATURDAY, MARCH 29 8:00 amME Gaye Harkay 5:30 pmME Pierre Aubin SUNDAY, MARCH 30 7:30 amEC Donors Intention 9:30 amME Ma. Lourdes Pestao 5:30 pmME People of the Parish
EC=Fr. Edward Corcoran, ME=Fr. Mario Elias

New Website!
See our beautiful, new web site, created by TwinBees! http://www.stcolumbachurchsandiego.com

Seniors Club
Thursday, March 27, 10:30 a.m. Potluck, Oldies, Inc.

Lenten Collection
This weekend is designated for the 2014 Annual Lenten Collection, which supports Catholic Relief Services and the Church in Africa and Latin America. Special pink envelopes will be available in the pews.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

PLEASE PRAY for the following who are ill, their families and those who care for them:
Joaquin Babauta, Jim Bowerman, Jan Chandler, Donna Brozovic DeLaTorre, Debra Drake, Thomas Dunne, Bruce Elizondo, Gigi Esguerra, Pauline Estrada, David Hoover, Lee Howard, Karen Hughes, Cheryl Hunter, Claudia Jarrell, Joe McDougall, Vic Miranda, Arlene Nave, Doris Oliver, Pat Oliver, Feliciana Rebujio, Steve Romero, Julie Turek, Fr. John Van Deerlin

MARCH 23, 2014

Monthly Schedule
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: 2nd Saturday of month, Daily Chapel, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Holy Hour for Life with chaplet of Divine Mercy, 2:30-3:30 pm. ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Room. BIBLE SHARING: Mondays, 8:00-9:30 am in the Ministry Center. BINGO: Every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Babysitting is available. CHILDCARE: Every Sunday during the 9:30 am Mass in the Preschool; for infants and children up to four years of age. For more information, call (858) 279-0161. CULTURE OF LIFE MINISTRY: For information, call Louise Holland at 619-316-7498. DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION: Mondays and Fridays at 3:00 p.m. in the Daily Chapel (chaplet, rosary and a reading from the diary of St. Faustina.) GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: The 1st Monday of each month, 7:00-8:00 pm in the Ministry Center. Call Robin at (858) 277-3861 for more information. GREETERS/USHERS: Terry Foster at 858-427-7178. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Council #1349. Round Table, Richard Portugal. For information call (858) 279-8731. LAY APOSTLES for JESUS CHRIST RETURNING KING: 2nd Tuesday of every month in the Music Room, 6:30-8 p.m. Contact Peggy Keller at (858) 569-5996. MENS CLUB: The 1st Tuesday each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Music Room. All men of the parish are welcome and encouraged to join. Contact Ed Ancmon at 858-356-8111. MENS FAITH GROUP: First Saturday of the month in the Ministry Center, 8:45 am-10:00 am. All men are invited to this informal spiritual gathering to share prayer, discussion and donuts. PRAYER MEETING: Join us in praise, songs, scripture readings, teachings and worship every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Ministry Center. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults): For adults seeking Baptism or for baptized adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church by preparing to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. For information, call Mike Conroy, (858) 278-1507. ROSARY MAKERS: First Thursday of every month, at 2:00 p.m. in the Music Room. Call Teresa Kleinpeter for more info at 858-277-6240. SENIORS CLUB: 2nd/4th Thursdays of the month, 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Open to seniors over 50 in our parish. Watch bulletin for upcoming events. YOUTH GROUP: Sundays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Ministry Center for both Junior and Senior High. For more information call (858) 277-3861.

Readings for the Week

Mon: Tues: Wed: Thurs: Fri: Sat: Sun: 2 Kgs 5:1-15/Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4/Lk 4:24-30 Is 7:10-14;8-10/Ps 40:7-11/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38 Dt 4:1,5-9/Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20/Mt 5:17-19 Jer 7:23-28/Ps 95:1-2,6-9/Lk 11:14-23 Hos 14:2-10/Ps 81:6-11,14,17/Mk 12:28-34 Hos 6:1-6/Ps 51:3-4,18-21/Lk 18:9-14 1 Sm 16:1,6-7,10-13/Ps 23:1-6/Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41

Palm Sunday Brunch

Sunday, April 13 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Brunch and Easter egg hunt in the Hall. Sponsored by the Men's Club and Youth Group. More information in coming weeks.

School News
SPRINGEST 2014! - April 5th, 10:00 am-7:00 pm $1,000 Opportunity Drawing Games Booths & Inflatables Food & Entertainment Purchase tickets in school office. Opportunity Draw only $10/chance. Advertise your business on a booth for as little as $25. More info at (858) 279-1882. RECYCLE, RECYCLE, RECYCLE! Bring plastic bottles and aluminum cans to drop off at the recycling bins located near the end of the Ministry Center. Tuition Assistance Fund: Year-round fundraiser. There are yellow envelopes in your monthly envelope set as well as in the pews. Thank you for your on-going generosity. Make check payable to: St. Columba School. Box Tops for Education: Keep sending in your Box Tops each Sunday! Its great to see how many parishioners are supporting the school each week. Look for Box Tops cut-outs on many household products. SCRIP Program (Gift Cards): Year-round fundraiser. Go to: shopwithscrip and follow the steps to sign up. Enter enrollment code: 5B7465D45922. Cards are available for pickup in the school office.