Our Lady of Victories

INVITATION FOR LENT

We welcome you to our parish this weekend! As members of the Church, we recognize that Lent is only a few days away! How do you feel about starting the 40 days of Lent? Each of us might answer this question differently, but our Church certainly encourages us to see the Lenten season as a special opportunity. It can actually be seen as a gift from God which calls us to focus our attention on the things that are truly important in our lives. In reality, Lent is about growing closer to Jesus, our Lord and our brother, during a time of prayer, penance, and almsgiving. Any Lenten penance or other practice we take on is meant to help us change our hearts and our lives so that we more closely resemble our Savior. You are invited to enter this holy season with a desire for a stronger faith and a deeper love for God and others. To all of you: God bless you this week!

CATHOLIC APPEAL

Inside today’s bulletin, you will find a letter from Father Joe and a commitment form for the 2014 Archdiocesan Catholic Appeal. This weekend, we are asking those who regularly attend Mass here to consider making a pledge to this year’s campaign. Many of you have made your pledges already, but we are reaching out to others to join us in boosting the number of parishioners who participate in this yearly appeal for the work of the Archdiocese. Thank you.

EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Stewards of the mysteries of God – that’s what St. Paul says we are in today’s second reading. And the first requirement, he says, is that we be trustworthy. Entrusted with the gift of faith, do I share it as gratefully and as generously as I do my time, my talent, and my treasure?

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

This past week we received $338.00 from the week-day collection and $1,015.00 from the week-end collection. We are grateful for your generosity.

LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE

For Catholics, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence, and the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Fasting is to be observed by those from ages 18 to 59. On fast days, only one full meal is allowed. Two other meals may be taken, if necessary, but together, they should not equal another full meal. There should be no eating between meals. Abstinence is to be observed by those ages 14 and older. No meat is allowed on these days, unless one’s health would be seriously affected.

HELPING THE CHURCH IN NEED

Next weekend, the Bishops of the U. S. are requesting our support in a second collection for the Church in Africa and in Central and Eastern Europe. Your offerings will help to meet the spiritual and material needs of the people in these areas, including many who have suffered for the faith. We encourage your participation in this worthy effort.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

On Tuesday, March 18th, we will begin a program of English as a Second Language Program (ESL). The classes will be held in the Parish Center and are open to anyone who would benefit. For more information or to register, please call Fr. Paul Frechette, s.m., at the Rectory: 617-426-4448.

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH

Respect for Nature. That respect for nature may grow, with the awareness that all creation is God’s work, entrusted to human responsibility.

Clergy. That bishops, priests, and deacons may be tireless messengers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

LITANY OF OUR LADY OF VICTORIES

LET US PRAY:  Our Lady of Victories, we come before you in prayer.  You are in complete union with the will of the Father and with the mission of your Son, Jesus Christ.  We ask your intercession that all that binds us and burdens us will be overcome by the saving death and resurrection of your Son.  We pray in His name, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives forever and ever. Amen.

V.     Lord, have mercy.                                          R.     Lord, have mercy.

V.     Christ, have mercy.                                       R.     Christ, have mercy.

V.     Lord, have mercy.                                          R.     Lord, have mercy.

V.     God, the Father of heaven,                            R.     have mercy on us.

V.     God the Son, our Redeemer,                        R.     have mercy on us.

V.     God the Holy Spirit                                          R.     have mercy on us.

V.     Holy Trinity, One God,                                    R.     have mercy on us.

V.     Holy Mary, Mother of God,                                                R.     pray for us.

V.     Our Lady of Victories,                                                        R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over lack of faith,                                             R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over sin, both personal and social,              R.     pray of us.

V.     For victory over the culture of death,                               R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over abortion and euthanasia,                      R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over war and all forms of violence,              R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory of sexual and physical abuse,                      R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over pornography and sexual exploitation, R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over racial hatred and prejudice,                  R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over poverty and homelessness,                  R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over alcoholism and drug addiction,            R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over nicotine and gambling addiction,         R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over all forms of addiction,                             R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over cancer and heart disease,                     R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,    R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over HIV/AIDS,                                                R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over mental and emotional illness,              R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over all sickness and disease,                     R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over family strife and discord,                       R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over ignorance and fear,                               R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over materialism and greed,                         R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over indifference and negligence,               R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over pride and a judgmental spirit,              R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over despair and hopelessness,                 R.     pray for us.

V.     For victory over the bonds of death itself,                      R.     pray for us.

V.     That our parish might trust in your will,                                                                  R.    Hear us, O Lord.

V.     That our community might share more fully in the victory of your Son,              R.    Hear us, O Lord.

V.     That our community might grow, both in faith and in numbers,                            R.    Hear us, O Lord.

V.     Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                          R.     spare us, O Lord.

V.     Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                          R.    hear us, O Lord.

V.     Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                           R.     have mercy on us.

LET US PRAY: Loving and merciful God, hear with a longing to share more fully in the victory of your

Son in His cross and resurrection.  With the intercession of Mary, our Mother and Our Lady of Victories, we offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever.  Amen.