FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Spiritual Reflection from
Saint David Parish
Sunday Mass Readings
1st: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
2nd: Romans 8:6-11
Gospel: John 11:1-45
Click here for a link to the Sunday readings.
Resurrection of Prayer
Here we are at the second Sunday of these troubled times without being able to participate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This is a difficult time for many people and taking away our weekly devotion to our Lord is one of the many sacrifices we are all called to do to protect ourselves and each other. Know that our priests are continuing to celebrate daily Mass each day so that our Eucharistic Christ is still very much present in our Church. A question arises though, “What are we doing with our time away from Church?”
“Lazarus, come out!” These are the words shouted by Christ in today’s Gospel calling Lazarus to his resurrection, foreshadowing the resurrection promised to us all and the gift given to us at our Baptism through the sacrifice that Christ made for us. We are now promised an eternal life with Jesus and His Father. This sacrifice of the Lamb of God was the last and perfect sacrifice needed by God. We actually participate in this very sacrifice during the Liturgy when we are at Mass. We are all called by Christ like Lazarus to a resurrected life, but also to a life of sacrifice. There is a way to combine these two callings into one. We can resurrect our prayer life and lay our prayers as sacrifices at the feet of our Lord.
An early teacher of the Church was a priest named Tertullian. He wrote that God no longer wants or needs burnt offerings or blood from lambs. What He wants is sacrifices of the spirit. We became people of spirit through Christ, called to have a relationship with God the Father who is the totality of spirit. He longs for people like Himself and the way we can answer His longing is through prayer. Prayer is the new sacrifice he is longing for.
Tertullian also writes that the way we conquer God, the way we melt His heart, is through prayer. I picture a new born baby being held by his mother. The baby looking directly into his mother’s eyes with the mother looking back, studying every part of her new baby. Then the baby makes a sound. His first sound. The joy the mother feels can’t be measured. We are all held as that child, cradled in God arms. He is just waiting for us to say something.
During this time away from the Liturgy of the Mass let us resurrect our prayer life. Let us give prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for one another. Let us have an ongoing conversation with our Lord that never ends. Remember Christ Himself prayed continuously. Even in his most dire hour.
May Jesus live in our hearts forever.
Deacon Chris
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This has been a week like no other and, like myself, you may have a lot of questions. How long will it last? Will I remain safe? Should I go out and visit someone? Will my food supplies last? Where is God in all of this?
I want you to know that you are not alone. Things are not as frightening if we face them together. Faith is always stronger when it is shared. We have people in our lives with whom we can share our faith. We have a great opportunity to grow in our faith life and share it with our families. Together we will support one another through this time of crisis.
St. David Parish is starting a prayer chain. We invite you to send your intentions to prayerchain@stdavidparish.org. We, as a parish family, will lift these intentions up in prayer. God can do great things. We need to rely on Him and remember that He is with us and wants to hear from us.
I am available to offer guidance and prayer for anyone who would like to speak with a priest. Please email pastor@stdavidparish.org. (This is a temporary, private email that will only be seen by myself.)
God bless,
Fr. Windle
Fr. Windle
Prayer of Faithful
Please consider praying the following with family and friends.
Opening Prayer
Father in Heaven hear our prayers and petitions today as a people who are listen for your Son’s call to resurrection.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For the Church: that God will transform our fears into hope, selfishness into love, and deaths into new life, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For all who share in the Eucharist: that as we share in Christ’s gift of himself, we will live the new life of the resurrection and give witness to Christ by our words and deeds, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For all who are experiencing divorce or the death of a relationship: that God will heal their pain, help them to face the issues with courage, and give them hope for their future, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For Candidates for full communion with the Church: that God will lead them to a deeper awareness of the New Life within them and help them to be renewed by their Lenten observance, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For all who confront the death dealing forces of our society: that they may bring the light of Christ to those struggling with the darkness of abortion, abuse, addictions, violence, or disease, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For all who have contracted the coronavirus: that God’s healing Spirit will ease their symptoms and restore them to health, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For an end to the pandemic: that God will guide and inspire everyone working to curtail the virus and help them to employ proper hygiene, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For all who are ill: may their faith in Christ ease their suffering and may the feel the healing grace of our Savior, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Intention:
For all who have died: may they hear Christ calling them from death to a resurrected life with Him, we pray to the Lord.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Closing Prayer
Father in Heaven,
Faith in your Son allowed Lazarus to rise from the dead. May are faith in Him allow us to hear His call to our own resurrection. We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in union with the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen.
Remembering in Our Prayers…
… all those who are sick … Lorraine Hendricks, Mary Trauger, Helen Jurkiewicz, and the residents of Garden Springs and the Landings.
… all those who are deceased.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Sick List Information
Please call the office (215-657-0252) or email jmmarlin@stdavidparish.org or mmahon@stdavidparish.org if you would like to add or remove someone’s name from the prayer list. If you are aware of someone who is no longer sick please let us know so that we can ensure that there is room for others in need of prayer. Also, reducing the list allows for those who need prayer to be more apparent.
The Response is:
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Lord hear our prayer.
Amen.
On behalf of Archbishop Pérez, I am sharing an announcement that he has launched, “The Power of Faith in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Lenten Retreat.” This six-day online retreat program is part of the ongoing pastoral and temporal response of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the COVID-19 pandemic and offers a means for the faithful to prepare spiritually for the approach of Holy Week.
Archbishop Pérez recently recorded videos introducing this initiative and released them on social media. To watch the video in English, please click here. To watch the video in Spanish, please click here. For more information on this please click here.
Mass Intentions for the Week
Saturday, March 28th Christopher Higgins
Sunday, March 29th Intentions of the Parishioners
Monday, March 30th Reign of the Sacred Heart in the Home
Tuesday, March 31st John Leedom
Wednesday, April 1st Gladys Fenstermacher
Thursday, April 2nd James O'Neill
Friday, April 4th John Smith
Saturday, April 5th Harold Kormos
Changes to the Daily Mass Intentions
Mass at St. David is said once daily during this difficult time. We have rescheduled the weekend mass intentions, so that no intentions are missed. Sunday mass will be offered for the intentions of Saint David Parishioners. Daily mass is now celebrated at 9AM with the Sisters of Saint David Convent.
The intention for the Vigil Mass on March 21st was said for Harold Kormos.
Roy Webb (6th Anniversary) Saturday, March 21st @ 9AM à Tuesday, April 21st @ 9AM
Marion Martin Sunday, March 22nd @ 9AM à Wednesday, April 22nd @ 9AM
Rosemary McNavage Sunday, March 22nd @ 11:30AM à Thursday, April 23rd @ 9AM
Ethel Razier Saturday, March 28th @ 4PM à Tuesday, April 28th @ 9AM
William E. Adams, Jr. Sunday, March 29th @ 9AM à Tuesday, April 7th @ 9AM
Barbara Dutkiewicz Sunday, March 29th @ 11:30AM à Wednesday, April 29th @ 9AM
Updates from Queen of Angels
Regional School
Our buildings may be closed but our school is very much open, that is, remotely! Students in all grades, including PreK, are receiving virtual instruction during these uncertain times. The teacher and students enjoy connecting via online applications such as Zoom and continuing their lessons together!
Queen of Angels School provides children with a quality Catholic education that includes all the regular subjects enhanced with technology, gym, library, music, and Spanish. Grades 5-8 also have an honors math class. The children make regular use of iPads, and Chromebooks to enhance their learning. Our 3rd- 8th grade have a 1:1 Tablet Program.
The value of our PreK program in terms of quality of education and price surpasses all with full and half day options for 3 & 4 year olds. PreK classes are filling quickly for the 2020-2021 school year! Before and After Care is available from 7am-6pm for a very affordable cost! Ask about our $1500 tuition transfer grant for students in K-7! Financial Aid is available for families!
For more info contact Kim O'Doherty at kodoherty@qoaschool.org or
215-309-4028!
215-309-4028!
Archdiocesan News
On behalf of Archbishop Pérez, I am sharing an announcement that he has launched, “The Power of Faith in a Time of Uncertainty: A Virtual Lenten Retreat.” This six-day online retreat program is part of the ongoing pastoral and temporal response of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the COVID-19 pandemic and offers a means for the faithful to prepare spiritually for the approach of Holy Week.
Archbishop Pérez recently recorded videos introducing this initiative and released them on social media. To watch the video in English, please click here. To watch the video in Spanish, please click here. For more information on this, please click here.
Archbishop Pérez recently recorded videos introducing this initiative and released them on social media. To watch the video in English, please click here. To watch the video in Spanish, please click here. For more information on this, please click here.
Upcoming Ministry Events
As we approach the Easter Season during this time of uncertainty we invite all students and their families to join us via Zoom as we have a Digital Station of the Cross Reflection.
We will offer up our hearts and prayers for the world and each other as we encounter Christ at each Station. Join us April 8th at 8PM at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/571168627.
Steubenville information and forms are online. Sign up today at: https://epic-ministries.org/home/resources/forms/ or email: e.p.i.c.inform@gmail.com
Spots are still available!!
We will be meeting again on Sunday, April 5th. Don't forget to join us at 8PM EST! Go to PROJECTYM.COM/WATCH
Place your order's online at epic.ministries.org or email e.p.i.c.inform@gmail.com for a buying guide. Plants will be hand delivered to your door. Accepting all orders now through April 30th 2020.
Prayer to Saint Joseph
Good Saint Joseph, God called you to be father and protector of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus and His holy mother, Mary. We now call on you for your fatherly protection against the Coronavirus pandemic. Pray for our loved ones, especially those most vulnerable, healthcare workers, and us so we may avoid being infected and pray for healing for all who are infected. We also call on you as patron of all workers to intercede for those who have lost their job. Ask the Lord to help them trust in His Providence and quell their anxieties. Help us also to be charitable and generous with those who are in need. Amen.