March 25, 2007 Bulletin

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Reverend Paul Pecchie, Pastor

Reverend Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

Deacon Richard Brady, Deacon Ralph Bufano

Deacon Kenneth Spaulding (Winter Months)

Retired Assisting Priests

Reverend Monsignor Thaddeus Malanowski

Reverend Monsignor Richard Cahill

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Bernard MacAdam (Winter)

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Masses ...........................7:30 and 9:00 AM
Saturday Vigil ........................................ 4:30 PM
Sunday.......... 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 AM, 5:30 PM

Music Director:

Mrs. Paulette King.........................................x 316

Sacristans:

Sr. Lucy Mbuya, CDNK .................................x 304
Sr. Castissima Masambo, CDNK ..................x 304

Directors of Religious Education:

K-8th grade: M/M Joseph & Julie Blum .........x 320
Adult: Sr. Kathleen Luger, OSC.....................x 321

Outreach Ministries:

Sr. Rosamunda Massawe, CDNK .................x 321
Ms. Claire Obordo .........................................x 302

Youth Ministry:

H.S.: M/M Joseph & Julie Blum ....................x 320

Jr. High: M/M Robert & Sue Tassinari ..........x 322

5th Sunday of Lent

March 25, 2007 A.D.

1507 Trotter Road, Largo, FL 33770

Mailing Address:

2121 - 16th Ave. SW, Largo, FL 33770

Parish Office: (727) 584-2318

Fax: (727) 586-5413

Website: www.stpatrick-largo.org

AINT

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

HURCH

St. Patrick PTO

is hosting

this year's last

ANNUAL LENTEN

FISH FRY

March 30th

5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Msgr. McCall Hall

Adult tickets are $7 pre-sale ($8 at door) and
includes a generous portion of fried fish, hush
puppies, fries, coleslaw and a drink. Children's
tickets (13 & under) are $3 and includes fried fish,
hush puppies, fries, coleslaw and a drink OR
cheese pizza and a drink.

FREE MOVIE for children of all ages.

Come and watch `Happy Feet' on the big screen!

Page Two - Sunday, March 25, 2007

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT

Fr. Paul Pecchie

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

(727) 584-2318 Tel.

Fr. Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

2121 - 16th Avenue SW, Largo, FL 33770

(727) 586-5413 Fax.

My Dear Friends in Christ,

Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent! What an awesome experience

we had as we celebrated our Patronal Feast Day last Saturday, March 17. The
Mass was beautiful, and the choir did an outstanding job. Mark your calendars

for next year as I am sure we will have a wondrous Feast also to celebrate our 50th
Anniversary as a parish community. If anyone is interested in being on our Anniversary
committee please call the Rectory.

Next week we will be entering Holy Week: the last week of our Lenten observance. I

would strongly encourage you to mark your calendars and plan to participate in the Sacred
Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

"Go, and do not sin again." (Jn 8:11.)

How can we today hear these words just as the woman caught in adultery did,

so that we may walk away from the Lord cleansed, renewed, made whole again
after the tragedy and brokenness of sin? We must hear these words through the
sacraments of healing. The forgiveness of the Lord is infinite and without
conditions. The healing power of the mercy of God, fully given in Christ, can be
ours definitively and completely whenever we approach the Lord in the sacrament
of Reconciliation (Confession) and, when sick in body, also through the
sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to
bodily health, (Cf. Mk 2:1-12) has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing
and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of
Penance and the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

(CCC 1421)

"Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against
him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by
charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion." (LG 11 art. 2)

(CCC 1422)

It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants
the penitent "pardon and peace." (OP 46: formula of absolution.) It is called the sacrament of
Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the life of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to
God." (2 Cor 5:20) He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call:
"Go; first be reconciled to your brother." (Mt 5:24)

(CCC 1424)"

If Baptism is clearly recorded in the Gospels as the gift of God's mercy and the washing away
of all our sins, why another sacrament in order to have the forgiveness of God?

You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our
God." (1 Cor 6:11) One must appreciate the magnitude of the gift God has given us in the sacraments of Christian
initiation in order to grasp the degree to which sin is excluded for him who has "put on Christ." (Gal 3:27) But the
apostle John also says: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 Jn 1:8) And the
Lord himself taught us to pray: "Forgive us our trespasses," (Cf. Lk 11:4; Mt 6:12) linking our forgiveness of one
another's offenses to the forgiveness of our sins that God will grant us.

(CCC 1425)

Conversion to Christ, the new birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Body and Blood
of Christ received as food have made us "holy and without blemish," just as the Church herself,
the Bride of Christ, is "holy and without blemish." (Eph 1:4; 5:27) Nevertheless the new life
received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor
the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that
with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life.
(Cf. Council of Trent (1546): DS 1515.) This is the struggle of conversion directed toward
holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us. (Cf. Council of Trent (1547):
DS 1545; LG 40.)

(CCC 1426)

Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Fr. Pecchie

JMJ

Parish & Evangelization - Page Three

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Gospel at the Procession with Palms --

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40).

First Reading -- In spite of my sufferings I

am not disgraced. I am not put to shame
(Isaiah 50:4-7).

Psalm -- My God, my God, why have you

abandoned me? (Psalm 22).

Second Reading -- Christ emptied himself,

and God filled this emptiness with exaltation
(Philippians 2:6-11).

Gospel -- The account of Christ's passion

according to Luke (Luke 22:14 -- 23:56
[23:1-49]).

How will I spend Holy Week? Do I see God

touching me through my suffering?

This week, perhaps I could visit or help

another suffering person.

Readings for the Week Ahead:

April 1, 2007

Palm Sunday

ARISH

EWS

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ all year!

LENTEN SERVICES

Daily Mass:Monday-Saturday ....7:30 AM & 9 AM

Wednesday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

after the 9 AM Mass until Benediction at 6:15 PM,

followed by evening Mass at 6:30 PM.

Friday Stations of the Cross:............2 PM and 7 PM

FLOWER DONATIONS FOR EASTER:

If you would like to make a donation in
memory of a loved one or in honor of
someone special, please mark your check
or envelope with the name to be remem-
bered and "Easter Flowers". Donations
can be placed in the offertory basket or
mailed to the church office. Thank you for
helping make the church more beautiful for
our celebration of the Lord's Resurrection!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Tuesday, March 27, 2007: : : :

St. Cecelia (Clearwater)

Eucharistic Exposition 9 AM to 8 PM

Opening of Exposition Service - 9 AM

Holy Hour / Benediction - 7 PM

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Wednesday, March 28, 2007: : : :

Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle (St. Pete)

Eucharistic Exposition 12 Noon to 8 PM

Opening of Exposition Service - 12 noon

Holy Hour / Benediction - 7 PM

"The harvest is abundant but laborers are few; so ask the Master of the Harvest to send out Laborers for the Harvest."

In 2004, during the Year of the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II blessed six

six

six monstrances for the

faithful to pray for an increase of vocations

pray for an increase of vocations

pray for an increase of vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life. The

monstrances were designated for Eucharistic Adoration for vocations for each major geographical

area around the world as a symbol of the connection between the Eucharist and priestly and

religious vocations. As we receive the North American Papal Vocation Monstrance during the last

week of March, we invite you and your family

we invite you and your family

we invite you and your family to take some time to pray for vocations before the

Lord at the specially designated church closest to you.

IOCESE

T
T
T
T

. P

ETERSBURG

: Special Week of Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations

STRAIGHT LINES

"God writes straight with

crooked lines," the saying goes.

The power of Paul's testimony

that everything is junk but

knowledge of Jesus and the

power of his resurrection is a

straight enough message.

And, God knows, Paul had a

crooked journey before his blinding

insight straight from God.

Through Isaiah, God reminds us all that the past great

works were as nothing compared to the new creation. "Can't
you see it?" we are asked, as if we are still wandering along our
crooked lines.

And there is no straighter line than that between the woman

whose misery is intense and the God whose mercy in Jesus is
deeper and more acute. You just can't beat this kind of good
news.

All are invited to the 2ND ANNIVERSARY MASS for TERRI
SCHINDLER SCHIAVO on Thursday, March 29th at 7 PM.
Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life, will give the homily.

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

Page Four - Faith Formation

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Men's Bible Study Group
Robert Smith

6:45 AM - 7:30 AM (CR)

(ph. 587-7961)

Every Wednesday

Adult Bible Study: The Gospel of Luke
Sr. Kathleen

9:45 AM - 11:30 AM (CR)

Wednesday, March 28th

The Great Bible Adventure
Sr. Kathleen

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CR)

Thursday, March 29th

Conquest & Judges 2: Video series, Jeff Cavins.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

RCIA is a process in which new Catholics
embark on and join us in a continuing and
deepening conversion into faith and
discipleship. It is for those who are
unbaptized and would like to be received
fully into the Catholic Church, those who
have been baptized in another Christian community and
seek full reception into the Catholic Church, and for those
who were baptized as Catholics but have not received the
sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Inquiry
classes are held every Sunday morning at 10 AM in the
Conference Room of Msgr. McCall Hall. For info,
phone Sr. Kathleen ext. 321.

St. Patrick's Religious Education

Religious Education (K-8) Sundays, 10:30 - 11:45 AM

Small Faith Sharing Group
Barb Murphy 10 AM - 11:30 AM (CR)

Friday, March 30th

Pope's Encyclical "Deus Caritas". New mem-

bers welcome! Questions? Call 585-4149.

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph &

Julie Blum

DRE, ext. 320

Religious

Ed.

Got Internet? Visit our St. Patrick Parish website

www.stpatrick-largo.org !

FOUNDATIONS OF PERSONAL PRAYER:

Prayer meetings continue Tuesday nights

in the Msgr. McCall Hall at 7 PM.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO ERE CLASSES on April 1 and April 8 due to Spring

break and Easter Sunday. We'll see you all back for the home stretch on April 15.

Dates to remember:

April 28 - Confirmation

April 21 - First Communion Retreat

May 5 - First Communion

March 25, 2007 5

Sunday of Lent Cycle C

God continues to open a way for us. How is God doing something new in your life?

Perhaps God is inviting you to be a priest or religious.

VOCATION

VIEW:

(Isaiah 43: 16-21)

Going Deeper With Your Faith

Adult Education and Faith Formation

PASTOR'S CLASS with Fr. Pecchie

7:00 PM - 9 PM (CR)

Monday, March 26th

Sacramentum Caritatis: The Eucharist as
Source and Summit of the Church's Life and
Mission (Pope Benedict XVI, 2007).

ATTENTION:

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES

Yesterday (Saturday, March 24th) was
our Confirmation Retreat. ALL sponsor
paperwork MUST be turned in for the
candidates to be confirmed on April 28th.
Please see Mr. or Mrs. Blum if you have
any questions.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL this summer
will be a QUEST FOR JESUS! It will be
held the week of June 25-29 from 9-12
daily. Please watch this space for details.

First Communion parents, make sure your
calendar is marked for the First Communion
Retreat on April 21st from 9 AM - 12 noon in
Msgr. McCall Hall.

School & Youth - Page Five

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Principal:

Mrs. Therese

Hernandez

ENIOR

IGH

OUTH

ROUP

H.S. Youth Minister: Mr. Joseph Blum, ext. 320

Jr. High Youth Ministers:

Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Sue Tassinari, ext. 322

. P

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

CHOOL

ELEBRATING

OVER

YEARS

XCELLENCE

DUCATION

, L

EADERSHIP

& S

ERVICE

"By This Sign, You Will Conquer"

St. Patrick Catholic Youth

REGISTRATION for 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR: Registration for all grades (preK-8) is taking place. St.
Patrick is a fully accredited, Christ-centered environment, known for academic excellence. Come and see
what makes St. Patrick so special. For information, call the school office at (727) 581- 4865.

UNIOR

OUTH

ROUP

If you are a youth in grades 6, 7 or 8, why not join our Junior Youth Group! We meet
on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Youth Room. Newcomers are always
welcome! If you have any questions, please call Sue & Bob at 585-5546.

IND

, O

EART

, O

PIRIT

Next youth events:

Sunday, March 25th Crazy Sports night in cafeteria - FREE, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Coming up ... Sunday, April 1st, Putt putt golf at Smuggler's Cove (Indian

Rocks Beach). Meet there at 7 PM. Bring $10 to play.

PINELLAS COUNTY YOUTH CONFERENCE TRACK STARS

St. Patrick School runners who placed in the top 6 in the recent Pinellas County
Track Meet:

Kelsey Timmons (200), Anthony Chapman (200, 400), Tyler Dumneseil (50),
Chris Keiler (mile), Chris Griffin (200, 400, relay, long jump), Chris Webb (800,
relay), Tommy Going (400, 800, relay), Derek Gibree (relay).

Katie Englert scored the second highest amount of points overall in the meet, so
she received a second place ribbon for placing in the softball throw, long jump, mile,
800 and 400.

We are proud of all of you. Congratulations!

INAUGURAL ST. PATRICK WORK PARTY

Thanks to all who participated in the work party. The grounds are spruced and the
buildings are sparkling. A spirit of community made it happen!

All are invited to ST. PATRICK LIVING STATIONS

Junior high youth are presenting The Living Stations, a re-enactment of Jesus' Way of the
Cross, on Good Friday at 6 PM in the Church.

The

ping-pong

tournament was a success! Thanks to all who came out to sup-

port the youth group in this event. Women

s champion: Holly Andrade. Men's

champion: Joe Coticchio. After playing Fr. Prakash, Joe Cotic

hio was the

ping pong champion!

Maybe next year, Fr. Prakash!

Page Six - Stewardship: Sharing our Gifts

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT

In today's second reading, St. Paul says, "For His sake I have forfeited everything;

I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth."

Does my stewardship suggest that I could say the same?

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

Children's Envelopes - $ 4.40

Good Deed of the week:

I helped my grandpa do laundry instead of

watching TV. (Clark Kent)

Matt Ruppel

Kathie Griffin

Sean Griffin

Parish Ministries

"
"
"
"

The Word was made flesh, and made His dwelling

among us."

among us." We are the Body of Christ.

We are the Body of Christ.

Let us reach out in SERVICE and in LOVE.

St. Patrick Church 2nd Annual Fundraiser Cruise

7-day Southbound Glacier Bay Discovery on the Ryndam

Holland America Line

September 5, 2007 - September 9, 2007 (Land package)

September 9 , 2007 - September 16, 2007 (Cruise only)

Join Fr. Pecchie on a beautiful, scenic 7-day cruise beginning in
Anchorage, Alaska and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Cruise Glacier Bay National Park and stop in Haines, Juneau and
Ketchikan, Alaska. Create your own Alaskan experience in ports that offer a fascinat-
ing array of excursions featuring Alaskan history, wildlife and native culture. Cabin
rates - Inside $1,969.22 and Ocean View $2,229.22 - include cabin, all taxes, and
round trip air fare per person. For reservations or more info, please contact Helene
Riley at (813) 741-2193 or email Helene-TravelBeyond@tampabay.rr.com.

Thank you for your generous support

for our parish! May God bless you

and your family in abundance!

March 18, 2007

$ 11,739.00 (457 Envelopes Used)

Helping Hands

$ 322.00

188 families in our parish have made a gift or pledge to the 2007 Annual
Pastoral Appeal. Our parish goal is to have 100% participation (that
would mean 1200 families making a gift or pledge). Please prayerfully
consider supporting APA with a pledge or one-time gift. Convenient ten-
month payment plans are available. The ministries, activities and
programs serve people throughout the Diocese and in our parish.

2007 APA

Assessment

$117,247.00

- Pledged

$47,995.19

Balance

$ 69,251.81

The annual Wine Social and Silent Auction benefiting Catholic
Charities Pregnancy Plus Medical Center in St. Petersburg will
be held this year on Friday, April 20. Join us for a fun and exciting
evening at the Radisson Hotel, 12600 Roosevelt Boulevard,
Pinellas Park, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $35. Your
participation is a way to give to others an opportunity to build a
future of hope and happiness. Are you interested in a
Sponsorship package? Would you like to contribute goods or
services for the Wine Social or for the Silent Auction? Do you
want to purchase tickets to the event? Call (727) 550-4236 or
(727) 463-4436 or e-mail Rose at rpetito@ccdosp.org.

St. Patrick Church will be
h a v i n g

m o n t h ly

Charismatic Mass. The
first Mass will be on
Tuesday, April 10th at 7
PM, celebrated by Msgr. Fregapane.
A charismatic prayer group will also be
forming after Easter. Please check the
bulletin for further details. All are
welcome. Come and share the joy.

Mass Intentions & Schedule of Events - Page Seven

Sun.

8:30 AM

10:00 AM
10:30 AM

6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Mon.
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Tue.

8:00 AM
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Wed.

6:45 AM
9:30 AM
9:45 AM
3:30 PM
5:00 PM
6:15 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM

Thu.

9:00 AM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Fri.

10:00 AM

2:00 PM
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Sat.

9:00 AM
9:00 AM
3:30 PM
5:30 PM
7:00 PM

Parish Meeting Rooms:

Art = Art Room (School Jubilee Building); Cafe =

School Cafeteria; CH = Church, CR = Conference Room in Msgr. McCall Hall;
FLD = Field; MC = Media Center; MR = Music Room (School Jubilee Build-
ing); PE-A/B = PE portables; OLM = Office of Liturgical Music; PC = Msgr.
McCall Hall; PCLib = Msgr. McCall Library; REL = Religion Room (old Span-
ish Room); RE Office = Religious Education Office in PC; YR = Youth Room

03/25/07
Coffee and Donuts (PC)
RCIA Class (CR)
Religious Education for Children (School)
High School Youth Meeting (Cafe., Art, REL, MC)
Junior High Youth Meeting (YR)
Al-Anon Meeting (CR)

03/26/07
Enrichment Club: Arts and Crafts (Cafe.)
Enrichment Club: Sign Language (MC)
Enrichment Club: Lego Club (PE-A/B)
Mission of St. Patrick ESOL Class (Lib)
Pastor's Class (CR)
Junior Girl Scouts Troop 849 Meeting (REL)
St. Patrick Players Rehearsal (PC)

03/27/07
Foundations of Prayer Mothers' Grp (CR)
Special Prayer for Vocations (St. Cecelia Church)
Enrichment Club: Basketball (BBcourts)
Enrichment Club: Dance Club (PE-A/B)
Boy Scout Troop 465 Meeting (Cafe.)
Foundations of Personal Prayer (PC,CR)
Bell Choir Rehearsal (CH)
Holy Hour / Benediction (St. Cecelia Church)

03/28/07
Men's Bible Study (CR)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)
Adult Bible Study (CR)
Weight Watchers Group Mtg. (CR)
Mission of St. Patrick Tutoring (CR, Lib)
Benediction (CH)
Lenten Evening Mass (CH)
St. Patrick Players Rehearsal (CH)

03/29/07
Legion of Mary (CR)
Enrichment Club: Sudoku Club (Gr.3)
Enrichment Club: French Club (PE-A/B)
Children's Choir Practice (OLM)
Anniversary Mass for Terri Schiavo (CH)
Adult Choir Practice (OLM)
Great Adventure Bible Study Program (CR, PC)

03/30/07
Faith Sharing Group (CR)
Stations of the Cross (CH)
Enrichment Club: Reading Adventures (MC)
Enrichment Club: Chess Club (Computer Lab)
PTO Fish Fry (PC, CR)
Stations of the Cross (CH)
Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CH)

03/31/07

Teams of Our Lady Day of Recollection (PC)
Mission of St. Patrick Tutoring (CR)
Confessions (CH)
Confessions (CH)
St. Patrick Players Dress Rehearsal (CH)

Mass Intentions

The Week Ahead

Sat.

4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

Mon.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM

Tue.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM

Wed.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
6:30 PM

Thu.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM

Fri.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM

Sat.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

March 24, 2007
Draksler and Zorowski Families

March 25, 2007
St. Patrick Parishioners
Elva McGee
Louise Davis
Antonino Sciarrabba

March 26, 2007
Severini Mbuya
Pauline, Alex and Joseph Jannetto

March 27, 2007
Joe Zupansic
Mary Ellen Moody

March 28, 2007
Terri Schiavo
Jan Gradek
Vocations

March 29, 2007
Walter Scott
Shirley Drake

March 30, 2007
Shirley Drake
Saturnino Foronda, Sr.

March 31, 2007
Richard Kupelian
Paul Cecil Stimson
Thomas & Cathleen McAcoy (Living)

April 1, 2007
Tom Brophy
St. Patrick Parishioners
Jeanette Lampasona
Alberta Quebbeman

Pray for our Military

Staff Sgt. William J. Condon, US Army, New York
Lt. Comm. Shawn D. Fitzpatrick, USN, Virginia
Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Korea
Lance Corporal Jorge Granados, USMC, Florida
Sgt. Joshua Harmon, Kentucky
Pvt. Joshua Harrison, US Army, Louisiana
Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, U.S. Army, Missouri
Airman Ryan Hines, USAF
Lt. Jr. William J. Howey, III, USN, Connecticut
Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, Iraq
Staff Sgt. Kevin Kinkade, U.S. Army, Kentucky
Pvt. 1st Class Nick Krege, USMC, Iraq
Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, Florida
Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany
Ensign Christopher McDowell, USN, Mississippi
Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq
Major Kristin Streukens, USAF
Major Scott Trapman, US Army, Fort Lewis, WA
Major Michael Trofinoff, US Army, Iraq
Staff Sgt. Saturnino Vilano, Jr., US Army, Afghanistan
Airman Christopher E. Villano, USN, Iraq

Please pray for the members of our St. Patrick
Parish family and friends who have died recently,
especially for: May Anderson, Estelle Mell,
Frances Sullvian, Louis Regen and Leo Kelly.

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

The Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, is one of the most
important in the Church calendar. It celebrates the actual
Incarnation of Our Savior, the Word made flesh, in the womb
of His mother, Mary.

The biblical account of the Annunciation is in the first

chapter of the Gospel of Saint Luke, 26-56. Saint Luke
describes the annunciation given by the angel Gabriel to Mary
that she was to become the mother of the Incarnation of God.

Here is recorded the "angelic salutation" of Gabriel to

Mary, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee" (Ave, gratia
plena, Dominus tecum -

Lk 1:28), and Mary's response to

God's will, "Let it be done to me according to thy word" (fiat
mihi secundum verbum tuum

) (v. 38)

This "angelic salutation" is the origin of the "Hail Mary"
prayer of the

Rosary

and the

Angelus

(the second part of the

prayer comes from the words of salutation of Elizabeth to
Mary at the

Visitation

The

Angelus,

a devotion that daily commemorates the

Annunciation, consists of three Hail Marys separated by short
versicles. It is said three times a day -- morning, noon and
evening -- traditionally at the sound of a bell. The

Angelus

derives its name from the first word of the versicles, Angelus
Domini nuntiavit Mariae

(The Angel of the Lord declared

unto Mary).

Mary's exultant hymn, the

Magnificat

, found in Luke

1:46-55, has been part of the Church's Liturgy of the Hours, at
Vespers (evening prayer), and has been repeated nightly in
churches, convents and monasteries for more than a thousand
years.

The Church's celebration of the Annunciation is believed to date to the early 5th century, possibly originating at about the

time of the Council of Ephesus (c 431). Earlier names for the Feast were Festum Incarnationis, and Conceptio Christi, and in
the Eastern Churches, the Annunciation is a feast of Christ, but in the Latin Church it is a feast of Mary. The Annunciation
has always been celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas Day.

Two other feasts honoring Our Lord's mother, the

Assumption

(August 15), and the

Immaculate Conception

(December

8), are celebrated as Holy Days of Obligation in the United States and many other countries. New Year's Day, January 1, is
observed as a

Solemnity of Mary

. The Annunciation was a Holy Day throughout the Universal Church until the early 20th

century. Many Catholics who are deeply concerned with the defense of the life of unborn children believe it would be fitting
if the Feast of the Annunciation were restored to this status. Although it seems unlikely that it will be added to the Church
calendar as a Holy Day of Obligation, we can certainly take on the "obligation" ourselves to attend Mass. In any case, it is
most appropriate that we encourage special celebrations in the "Domestic Church".

One sign of the significance this Christian feast had throughout Western culture is that New Year's Day was for centuries

celebrated on March 25. It was believed by some ancient Christian writers that God created the world on March 25, and that
the fall of Adam and the Crucifixion also took place March 25. The secular calendar was changed to begin the year on
January 1 (in 1752 in England and colonies, somewhat earlier on the continent).

Another remnant of the historic universality of Christianity in the West is the use of BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno

Domini

The Year of Our Lord) to denote periods of time in history. There has been an attempt in some circles to change BC

to BCE (before the common era), and AD to CE (common era) -- and although it is true that the religious significance of our
system of dating has been effectively obliterated -- nevertheless, Christians and non-Christians alike consent to the birth of
Christ as the "fulcrum" of the dating the events of human history.

Page Eight - Saints 'N Feasts

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

The Annunciation

of our Lord

Feast Day: March 25

(observed this year on

Monday, March 26)

Diocesan Announcements

From the Office of Worship:

On Tuesday, April 3rd at 11:30 AM, Bishop Lynch will
preside at the CHRISM MASS at the Cathedral of St.
Jude the Apostle, 5815 Fifth Avenue N, St. Petersburg.
During this Mass the priests of the diocese, along with
Bishop Lynch, will renew their commitment to priestly
service. This is also the Mass where the Oil of the Sick
and the Oil of Catechumens are blessed and the Sa-
cred Chrism will be consecrated. These Oils are used
through the year in your parish when your community
celebrates the sacraments. The faithful are invited to
participate in this wonderful diocesan celebration. By
virtue of your baptism you share in the priesthood of
Christ. The Chrism Mass is an opportunity for you to
experience a renewal and recommitment to God and
the Church. Please join us.

Clearwater Central Catholic High School Classes of
1967, 1977, 1987, 1997 will hold their reunion July 27-
28 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. Alumni interested
in assisting with reunion planning should contact Alumni
Director, Richard Falls, at (727)530-5652 or email
RFalls@cchs.org.

REUNIONS

St. Michael Commercial High School (Jerome St.,
Brooklyn, New York) Class of 1957 is planning a 50-
year Reunion in October. For information, contact
Joyce (Imperato) Monteleone at (516) 546-6965 or Pat
(Smilh) Voelker at (609) 660-9741.

Come join us for a "family reunion." Nancy and Lloyd
Greenhaw, founders of GRACE Ministry, lay evangel-
ists, missionaries for Renewal Ministry, and former pas-
toral leaders for the Presence of God Prayer Group at
Holy Cross will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church on
Tuesday, March 27th at 7:30 PM for a night of prayer
and healing. Come be blessed and bless us with your
presence! Hope to see you there.