Introduction Today we hear two familiar scripture passages: the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his beloved

son, Isaac; and the Transfiguration of Jesus when the disciples heard God say to them, This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Let us prepare ourselves to find meaning in these stories for our lives today, to listen as God commands us and to admit that we often fail to listen.

Mass Intentions
Sat. 3 6:00 p.m. Parishioners of St. Patricks Sun. 4 9:00 a.m. Maria Luisa Ortiz Antonio Maduro Hortencia & Manuel Lima Intentions of Lisa Earl 11:00 a.m. John Pacheco Mon. 5 8:00 a.m. Intentions of Kesea Cacaldo Tues. 6 8:00 a.m. Antonio Gara Wed. 7 8:00 a.m. Paddy Maguire Thurs. 8 8:00 a.m. John Parry Fri. 9 8:00 a.m. Intentions of Marian Earl Sat. 10 6:00 p.m. Frank Cabral Sun. 11 9:00 a.m. Mary & Joseph Benevides, Sr. Joseph Benevides, Jr. Gary Martin Germana DeSilva Manuel Pacheco DeSilva 11:00 a.m. Parishioners of St. Patricks

Stewardship Treasure Mass Offering last week: Poor Box:

$3,898.00 $135.00

Weekly Stewardship Thought In our Lenten stewardship call to focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, how much time am I giving to God in prayer? Reflection Question Am I willing to Listen to him (Jesus) as the Father asks? During this Lenten season, am I making an effort to climb the mountain and have time alone with God in prayer? Am I hesitant to encounter Him there, and to discover what He is asking of me? New Website to Promote Vocations Vocationculture.ca is a new website designed to help us discover and celebrate vocations to Married Life, Single Life, Consecrated Life, the Priesthood, and Permanent Diaconate. You are invited to join Fr. Toby Collins, CR, at www.vocationculture.ca for this epic journey.

Youth Corner
COME OUT TO THE NEXT FRIDAY YOUTH NIGHT FOR TEENS 13 18 YEARS OF AGE

March 9 and March 23

St. Theresas Hall
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. LOVE LIFE LIVE LENT TRANSFORM BERMUDA

Bring a Friend for a fun filled evening. We look forward to seeing you!

Diocesan Stewardship Committee News Mrs. LaVerne Lau, chairperson of the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, is pleased to announce Stewardship Day 2012 for Saturday, March 17 at St. Theresas Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please see the insert in this weekends bulletin and make plans to attend. Listening and Caring Ceremony During the 11:00 a.m. Mass this weekend, the Grade 2 students in CCD and at MSA will participate in a short ceremony after the homily. The children will receive a small bible they can use in the home. Please pray for these children who are preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Annual Parish Report The Finance Committee has reviewed the finances of the parish for the past year and formulated a budget for 2012. You will find additional copies of this report at the entrance to the church. Stations of the Cross and Adoration at St. Patricks As we have done in previous years, the Stations of the Cross will be celebrated in the church each Thursday evening from 7:30 7:45 p.m. during Lent in combination with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which will follow until 8:30 p.m. You are encouraged to attend either or both celebrations. Volunteers are needed to lead the Stations. Please see Fr. Paul to receive the resources available. Daily Mass during Lent The 12:10 p.m. Mass will be offered every day, Monday through Friday, at St. Theresas Cathedral during Lent. Make this devotion a part of your Lenten practice. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament also takes place at St. Theresas Cathedral on Saturdays from 9;30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. St. Patricks Day Dinner Bingo March 17 Mark your calendars now! Our popular St. Patricks Day Dinner Bingo will take place Saturday, March 17. Please see the insert in this weekends bulletin. Choir Practice for Easter Masses Starting Wednesday, March 14, there will be choir practice at 7:30 p.m. in St. Patricks Church in preparation for the Easter Sunday Masses. All are invited to attend.

Caritas House of Prayer Activities

Quiet Wednesday: Rosary at 10:30 a.m., followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 1:15 p.m. Diocesan Lenten Mission: 1:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. This Wednesday, special evening prayer at 5:45 p.m. All are welcome! Next Bible Study Sessions to be announced. Monthly Evening Prayer: "The Questions Jesus Asked" will take place on Sunday, March 25 and April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Caritas.

Diocesan Penitential Service at St. Theresas You are invited to join parishioners from all around the Island at a Diocesan Penitential Service at St. Theresas Cathedral on Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 .m. All the priests of the Island will be present. This is an ideal opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation before the start of the Easter preparations. Note: A second Penitential Service will take place at St. Patricks Church on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. 40 Days for Life Campaign 40 Days for Life is a pro-life campaign where Christians throughout the world take part in the international 40 Days for Life Campaign, from Ash Wednesday, through to Palm Sunday, April 1. Visit: www.40daysforlife.com for more info. Ecumenical Friendship Social/Tea Every second Saturday of the month, seniors of all faiths gather for fun and fellowship at various churches throughout Smiths parish. The next gathering is scheduled for Saturday, March 10 at Centenary from 2 5 p.m. All are welcome!
How Can I Use Lent to Prepare My Familys Heart for the Easter Celebration? by Susan Kehoe, Director of Faith Formation, Christ the King Church, DesMoines My adult son was visiting one Christmas when he realized that his parents were no longer just in case it might be true Catholics. He exclaimed, You have changed! It was an accusation, and not a compliment. Our about faceour conversiontook him out of his comfort zone. He felt that his parents had acquired a whole new set of beliefs from when he was growing up. We had done nothing to prepare him for it. Consequently, he had difficulty meeting his new mom and his new dad. That is why it is important to help our children prepare to meet our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, at Easter when He meets us in all of His glory. We dont want them to be caught off guard, and so we must teach them to be ready. However, we cant help our family prepare if we dont first prepare our own hearts. Our children follow our lead. Now is the time to make a plan for Lent and stick to it. Share it with your children, and help them to come up with their own plan. Children notice when our actions do not match our words. Lent is a time for penance. At baptism Christians are sanctified and are called to lifelong radical conversion and transformation. It is an ongoing process, because sin is a reality Prayer, fasting, and alms giving are the three penitential practices that Scripture and the Church ask of Christians. It is a good idea to determine what you need to change in order to be in closer union with Jesus. Ask yourself, what sins am I attached to? What bad habits do I practice? Resolve to make time for God every day in prayer and read scripture. Encourage your family members to choose a time and place to pray at least once a day. Pray as a family daily. Participate more often in the Eucharist and Confession.

Most Catholics fast by giving up something for Lent. Choose something that is damaging your relationship with God and/or your neighbor. You can fast from a behavior. The hardest Lent I ever lived was when I gave up sarcasm. Forty days without a snarky come back was really tough. It did show me exactly how I failed to love God and my neighbor. It was life changing, and my family noticed. Giving alms is much more than giving money to the poor. Jesus call us to Agapetotal, self-giving love. Love is at the heart of the Christian life. Freely give more of your time to God, His Church, and others. Strive to model for your family in true Christian love. This Lent let us all take a hard look in the mirror of our souls in order to help our families prepare for Easter. We ask Gods help to turn our lives more completely to Him so that we can truly become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Smile for the Day! Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasnt much, but the reception was excellent.