STAR OF THE SEA, CANSO

ST. AGNES, LITTLE DOVER

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, QUEENSPORT

ST. JOSEPH’S, PORT FELIX

PASTOR: FR. ANDREW GILLIES, 366-2927

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: MARIE PARKER, 366-2336

CONGREGATION OF NOTRE DAME: 358-2346

SISTERS OF ST. MARTHA: 625-4303

The complete text of this bulletin is also available on the parish's website at www.cansoparishes.org

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT ~ MARCH 7, 2010

The theme of today's readings centers around water. The links with Baptism are obvious. Water is the source of life but also of destruction. So we have the story of the Flood, which brought salvation to Noah and his family but death to a sinful world; the crossing of the Red Sea, which meant life and liberty to the Israelites but death to the army of the Pharaoh; and the water from the rock for the Israelites in the dryness of the desert. We will hear more about these at the Easter Vigil during the blessing of the baptismal water. The Gospel which we have just heard is about the Woman at the Well and it also centers around the theme of water and life. What is this water that Jesus speaks about? It is God's Spirit which comes to us in Baptism. Baptism is not just a ritual producing magic effects. It is the outward, symbolic sign of a deep reality, the coming of God as a force penetrating every aspect of a person's life. (Source: http://sacredspace.ie/livingspace/)

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, 4:30 - St. Vincent de Paul

Saturday, 6:00- St. Joseph

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - St. Agnes

Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - Star of the Sea

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

Monday, March 8- 2:00 p.m. - Seaside Manor

Tuesday, March 9 - 6:00 p.m.- St Joseph

Wednesday, March 10 - 6:00 p.m. - St. Agnes

Thursday, March 11 - 6:00 p.m. - Star of the Sea

RECONCILIATION/CONFESSIONS:

20 minutes before all weekend Masses or by appointment.

COMMUNION CALLS Communion will be brought the sick and shut-ins the first Friday of each month.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS

Tuesdays, - 6:00 p.m. - St. Joseph - Stations of the Cross, followed with Mass

Wednesdays - 6:00 p.m. - St. Agnes - Stations of the Cross, followed with Mass

Thursdays - 6:00 p.m. - Star of the Sea - Stations of the Cross, followed with Mass

Saturdays - 4:00 p.m. - St Vincent de Paul - Stations of the Cross - followed with Mass

“Not by Bread Alone” - Daily reflections for Lent - a limited number of this booklet is available in the entrance of our churches. We encourage you to make a donation of $4.00 to cover the cost of the booklet. Lent 2010 Calendars - for adults, children and teenagers, these calendars are filled with prayers, short reflections and suggestions for Bible reading. Please take them home and post them on your fridge and follow them daily.

LENTEN DVD SERIES - A Lenten Journey with Father Michael Himes - a four part series which will run during Lent. The dates and times are Thursdays, March 11 & 18 immediately after Mass. Themes still to br covered are Session 3 - God Sees Onto the Heart; Session 4 - Endless Possibilities. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by the Faith Development.

NOTE TO LECTORS FOR ALL PARISHES - The readings for the Scrutinies will be used for the 4^th and 5^th Sundays of Lent. To prepare these readings, you can find them your green St. Joseph Sunday Missals on pages 229, 242, 255. During the Masses they will be read from the ordinary Lectionary.

LITURGY COMMITTEE MEETING - will be held Sunday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the glebe. All committee members are requested to attend. We extend an invitation to parishioners from all of our parishes to become involved in the Liturgy Committee. We could use input from all parishes when scheduling events.

STAR OF THE SEA NEWS

Ministries Schedule for Sunday, March 7^th

Lectors - Martha Rhynold, David Horton

Euch. Ministers - Jennie Greencorn

Presentation of Gifts - Brenda Garrity, Gertie Snow

Church Cleaning - Eileen Cohoon, Theresa Casey

Ushers/Coll.- Barry Lumsden, Lawrence Dort

Hospitality - Janet Delorey, Patricia Rhynold

Sacristan - Rose Ann Delorey

Servers - Whoever is available

Parish Council - Regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 14 immediately after Mass. All members are requested to attend. We are presently seeking a parishioner who is willing to make a commitment to parish council, please contact the parish office to volunteer. Our constitution requires us to have 12 elected members.

Ways and Means Star of the Sea - Please offer to help with a project that interests you. If you have any ideas please contact Diggie.- Club 100 - tickets are on sale. For more information, please contact Ray White or the parish office. -Prize Bingo - March 21^st at the Canso Fire Hal. Donations would be greatly appreciated.

125^th Anniversary of Star of the Sea Parish - we are currently seeking volunteers to assist the Social Committee to help with planning a celebration. If you are interested please contact Ginny Boudreau a meeting time will be arranged for all those interested. This will require the assistance of many volunteers, so please give it some thought.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

April 23 & 24, 2010. Pre-registration is required.

Friday: 6 pm to 8 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm,

Registration: $70.00 per couple, Pre register by calling 863-5987 or email bbarkhouse@eastlink.ca Location and directions: the bottom floor at St. Ninian Place, (behind St. Ninian's Cathedral) on Notre Dame Ave. (off St. Ninian St.), Antigonish.

ST. JOSEPH NEWS

Family Night is well underway on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. We begin with Religious Education, followed by fun, games and lunch. We strongly encourage Parents, Grandparents and Parishioners to attend these very important events. It is wonderful to experience the growth of the Christian community as we meet and share.

Women’s Night - is held every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Convent. We have prayer, sharing, fun and lunch. Women from our four parishes are welcome come at any time.

WEEKEND OF GRACE

Already two-thirds sold out! The 4^th Annual Regional Catholic Women’s Conference at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax will take place April 16-18, 2010. Pre-registration only. Cost: $165. Call (902) 433-1330 or visit: www.weekendofgrace.com

CATHOLIC FAMILY RETREATS

Summer 2010 - For the 14th year, week-long Catholic Family Retreats will be held at Harbourside Cottages in Pictou County

Mom, Dad & kids; come play & pray together and experience God's Love in your family in a new way this summer. For dates and more info call 902-755-2080 or visit: www.harboursidecottages.com/Family-Retreats

YOUTH CONFERENCE

Youth presently in Grades 8 -12 are invited to participate in Steubenville Atlantic at St. F.X. University, Antigonish from July 30 - August 1^st, 2010. There is sure to be lots of entertainment, amazing speakers, great music, awesome food and accommodation on campus. For more info, to download music and see a video, check out: www.steubenville.ca Register with Fr. Andrew.

Any adults over 21 who would be able to chaperone a group or adults over 18 who would like to volunteer, may also contact Fr. Andrew.

Pilgrimage - the 28^th Annual Sadie Burton Pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beaupre and Cap de la Madeleine, leaving Inverness on August 15, returning on August 21, 2010. For more information pleas contact Sadie Burton at 902-461-9051 or Email: scburton@ns.sympatico.ca