EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Will be on the evening of Holy Thursday, April 9th.

There will be no Adoration on Good Friday.

ROSARY

7:00 PM Fatima Prayer Group on Monday

After the 6:45 AM and 8 AM Masses Monday thru Friday and after the 8 AM Mass on Saturday.

Moms and children’s Rosary group every Friday from 10AM to 11:30AM.  Call MaryAnn at 922-3461 before you come for the first time.

Adult Volunteers: Lenora Wright, Theresa 

Heinzelman

Designate a gift to Saint Antoninus Church in your will and give witness to your faith. 

EASTER FLOWERS FOR ALTAR

FROM OUR PASTOR

     This has been one of the most deeply satisfying Lents I have had in a long time.  I believe that it is due in large part to the Life in the Spirit Seminar which was held here in our Parish the last three week-ends in March.  I am very grateful to the Parishioners of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish for presenting the seminar and to our own parishioners who saw to the many details of hospitality.  But above all, I am grateful for the faith sharing among all of the participants.  Life's joys were multiplied and sorrows divided.  I was reminded time and time again of the prophecy of the Servant of God, the Venerable Cardinal Newman, who said that in the future we will keep our faith only to the extent we are willing to give it away.  I know I was filled to the brim with the good news I heard proclaimed and taught, witnessed to and sung about.  As Holy Week begins with today's celebration of Passion (Palm) Sunday, I am more eager than ever to recall the life-giving events of our salvation in Christ Jesus the Lord.

-- Rev. Christopher R. Armstrong

EASTER FLOWERS FOR ALTAR

    Please help the parish with a monetary donation to defray the cost of Easter flowers.  Drop an envelope marked Easter Flowers in the rectory mailbox or the collection basket.  Thank you.

Biggs and Kroger Gift Cards are on sale in the church elevator hallway after all weekend Masses, and at the rectory, M-F from 8AM to 3 PM. We earn 4% of every dollar from Krogers and 6% of every dollar from Bigg’s.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to sell Biggs grocery cards on the first and third Sundays at the 11:30AM Mass. Please call Fran Feldman at 451-3428 to sign up.

Good Friday, April 10, is a day of abstinence from meat and also a day of fast, that is, limited to a single full meal.

Let the paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday and, where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection may be attained with uplifted and clear mind (Constitution on the Liturgy, No.110). The other Fridays of the season of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years and older. The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th birthday (Canons 97 and 1252).

THE RECTORY OFFICE will be closed on Easter Monday, April 13th. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, at 8:00AM.

SAVE THE DATE – New St. Antoninus Parish Directory in 2009 --- Parishioner family pictures will be taken the days of May 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 and June 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 -20 -23 -24 -25 by LifeTouch Photography, in the undercroft. All portraits are taken at no cost. More details to follow. Check out more information at www.saintantoninus.org , or contact Julie Scott at 922-3015 or juliescott2@hotmail.com.

CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL

Currently there are 34 accredited public and private two and four year colleges and universities based in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. These institutions serve a total of 155,119 students. Out of these the Archdiocese funds campus ministry at four public institutions which serve 73,646 college/university students. Campus Ministers are certified by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops and provide a variety of ministerial services (educational, liturgical, pastoral, ecumenical, and spiritual) within the higher education community. For info see www.CatholicAppeal.info.

A Reminder: Throughout Lent the SVdP food barrel will be in the greeting room for your contributions of non-perishable food and personal items for the Holy Family Food Pantry.

TRAVELING CHALICE

Sign up to help pray for our needed vocations. Also, you could be praying for Deacon Dave Endres and his classmates as they ready themselves for ordination. Please call 451-7435 to sign up.

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL, MR. JACK COREY

Dear Parishioners,

     On Tuesday, April 7, our school is holding its third annual Jog-a-thon. This is a big fundraiser for our PTO. All the proceeds go back to the PTO to support all that we do. During the previous two Jog-a-thons we have earned over $38,000.00 combined. This money has gone a long way to help make our school a better place for our students. In the past, much of this money has been used to supplement our educational programs such as field trips, speakers, technology, materials used in our sacramental prep activities, classroom novels, as well as books for the library. The Jog-a-thon allows PTO to help support supplemental activities for our students. If you are approached by a St. Antoninus student for our Jog-a-thon, please consider donating. This Friday the school will be closed for Good Friday.

YOUTH CLUB - A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: Thursday, April 9th through Friday Morning: 7th Grade & 8th Grade only. DINNER, BIBLICAL PRESENTATIONS AND OVERNIGHT LOCK-IN! For info, please call Julie Heil 922-3848 or rjdcp@fuse.net

St. Antoninus Girl Scout Toy and Clothing Sale.

Friday, April 24(set-up), and Saturday, April 25 (sale), 9 a.m. - 12 noon, in the St. Antoninus Under-croft. To register as a seller, please email Mollie DiGiacomo at mddig@yahoo.com. Questions call Julie Kraemer at 451-9575.

SAINT ANTONINUS TROOP 614 FISH FRY on Good Friday. Dinner is served between 5-7PM in the undercroft. Eat in or carryout.

Father Larry Mick Burse: A Living Legacy

A burse is a permanently restricted endowment, with the interest used to help offset the cost of training local seminarians for the priesthood including tuition, room and board. To date, Fr. Mick’s Burse has $31,290! The goal of a burse is to fully endow one seminarian’s formation. Burses may receive additional capital over one’s lifetime, and even beyond, through inclusion in one’s will.

“The Way of Love” Pro-Life 7th Annual Prayer Walk will be on Sunday, April 5th, at 2PM starting at the Burnett Woods bandstand in Clifton.

FROM DEACON DAVID ENDRES

     Each year the clergy of the Archdiocese gather on Tuesday of Holy Week for the “Chrism Mass.”  This is the Mass in which the priests recommit themselves to their ministry.  At the Mass the Archbishop also blesses three types of holy oil: Oil of the Sick (used for anointing of the sick), Oil of Catechumens (used at baptism), and the Sacred Chrism (used at baptism, confirmation, and for ordinations).  I have been selected to represent those to be ordained this year by presenting the unblessed oil to the Archbishop for his blessing.  After the Mass, these sacred oils are taken to a nearby parish (in our case, St. Dominic) for distribution to all the neighboring parishes. The sacred oils at St. Antoninus are then displayed in a special ambry that is attached to the baptismal font.  The unused oil from the previous year is burned or buried.  

Tuition Assistance (TAP, ESAP, PSAS)

Important Information!

• St. Antoninus offers a tuition assistance program (TAP) to families with students in grades 1-8.  To apply for assistance families must complete the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) form located on the school web site.  

• The Elder Scholars Assistance Program (ESAP) is also being offered again this year for students entering grades 5-8.  Information on ESAP is also available on the school web site. 

• The same PSAS form is used for both programs- only one application and fee is required.

• St. Antoninus policy requires that families requesting assistance through the parish MUST also apply for ESAP if they are eligible (have students entering grades 5-8).

• These applications are due to PSAS by May 1^st.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY 

      Begin planning now for our semi-annual collection of clothing, household items and clean, useable furniture the weekend of April 18/19. Non-perishable food items are also needed. The complete list of acceptable items will be in next weekend's bulletin. Fifth Sunday contribution envelopes can be returned in today's collection or anytime to the rectory.

BIBLE STUDY

For the next three sessions, we are walking in the footsteps of our first Pope, St. Peter, via an on-site video, with Stephen Ray as our travel guide. We meet on Monday night in the Undercroft/Holy Family Room from 7-8 p.m. All are welcome. (Note: We do not meet on Easter Monday.)

HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER GROUP

Many of us have natural gifts and talents that we recognize in ourselves and one another. However, the Lord has also given us spiritual gifts at our Baptism and Confirmation. Some of these gifts we call charisms and they are especially activated through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit pours out His gifts in an amazing way. The Bible mentions at least thirty of these spiritual gifts – gifts like prophecy, intercession, healing, encouragement, hospitality, and teaching. Mary Handermann will speak on Tuesday evening on the topic, “How Do I Discover My Own Spiritual Gifts?” Come to learn about the gifts and how you can discern and use them in your life! In Chapel, Tuesday 7:30 PM.

ARCHDIOCESAN DECREE ON CHILD PROTECTION ORIENTATION meeting Thurs. April 23, 7PM; Tues. May 12, 1 PM. All meetings will be held in the Holy Family Room.

ADULT SOCIAL GROUP

April 13, 12:30PM Communion Service in the Chapel followed by lunch in the undercroft and a presentation, “The Mysterious Boxes”. Reservation cost is $9 per person due before April 8th.

April 22, Keenland Race Track; Phoenix Room plus buffet lunch. Trip sold out! Bus leaves at 9:00 a.m.

Coming Attractions: May Lunch; “Hummel Figurines” presented by Fred Kellerman. May or June Trip –“Cincinnati City Tour” hosted by Bob Doolan.

2009 ST. ANTONINUS FESTIVAL on June 12, 13,14th. Volunteers are needed. Call our new co-presidents; Mike Rolfes at 451-6704 or Brian Bohan at 922-4313 for more info.

Hop into Seton’s Spirit Shop for goodies to fill your Saints Easter Baskets! While you’re here, take a chance to win autographed items from singer Natasha Bedingfield and Justin Martin from HSM3. Tuesday, April 7, from 6-8pm.

ELDER HIGH SCHOOL BAND PANCAKE BREAKFAST on Sunday, April 19, from 8:30AM to 1PM in the Elder High School cafeteria.  Cost for adults and children (ages 3 and older) are $5.  Tickets available at the door.  Proceeds benefit the band.

Marriage Encounter Weekends on May 15-17, at the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood and July 17-19, at the Comfort Inn in Erlanger, KY.  For reservations or

info call Keith and Lori Maurmeier at 1-800-547-1251 code 00.

ELDER H.S. SUMMER COURSES for the opportunity to earn first time high school credit in Computer Software Use, Health, Physical Education and Physics.  Early registration is now until May 8.  See www.elderhs.org or call Mr. Kurt Ruffing at 921-3744, ext. 3409 or ruffing.k@elderhs.org.

APRIL IS

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Know Your Kids' School. Parents and guardians have the primary responsibility for protecting their children from all potential harm. When choosing a nursery, daycare center, or school, parents should inspect the building and grounds to make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are "off limits" to parents. Such facilities should have a policy that welcomes parents to visit the center or school without prior appointment. Source: Philip J. Lazarus, "Characteristics of Safe and Responsive Schools," VIRTUS, January 14, 2002.

An Appropriate Way to Report Inappropriate Behavior -How should you communicate your concerns to someone who may be behaving inappropriately with children? The "I" message is a simple way to reframe what you want to say so that the listener hears you speak of your feelings and concerns rather than hearing a complaint against him-or herself. The "I" message, simply diagrammed, says, "1 feel [feeling] when [situation] because [reason]." For example, you can say, "I feel anxious when you drive a child home alone after religious education classes, because that could put you or the child in a potentially risky situation." It is a much more constructive approach than saying, "You shouldn't be driving children home alone because it is against the rules and puts them in danger." Source: Paul R. Ashton, "CAREfronting vs. Confronting Those Who Behave Inappropriately," featured August 9, 2004, at www.virtusonline.org/virtu

THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA

   Begins on Good Friday and concludes on the Sunday after Easter.  Our Lord makes extraordinary promises to those who pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy but above all to those who participated in the “Feast of Mercy” on the Second Sunday of Easter. 

   The following is the Revelation made to St. Faustina; My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.  I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners.  On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open.  I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. 

   The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.  On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow.  Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.

   My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.  Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy.  Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy thoughout eternity.

   The Feast of Mercy emerged from the very depths of My tenderness. it is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.  Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.

1.  Celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter.

2.  Sincerely repent of all sins

3.  Place complete trust in Jesus

4.  Go to Confession, preferably before that Sunday

5.  Receive Holy Communion on the day of the Feast

6.  Venerate* the Image of The Divine Mercy

7.  Be merciful to others, through one’s actions, words, and prayers on their behalf.

*To venerate a sacred image or statue simply means to perform some act or make some gesture of deep religious respect toward it because of the person whom it represents – in this case, our Most Merciful Savior.

HOW TO SAY THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY

   In 1933, God gave Sister Faustina a striking vision of His mercy.  Sister tells us:  “I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it.   Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lord’s wounds.   And I understood that god blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus”.  Of another vision of September 13, 1935, she writes:  “I saw an Angel, the executor of God’s wrath… about to strike the earth… I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly.  As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel’s helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment.”

   The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer on ordinary rosary beads:

“First say one ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail Mary’, and ‘I Believe’.

Then on the large beads say the following words;

‘Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.’

On the small beads you are to say the following words: ‘For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world’.

In conclusion you are to say these words three times: ‘Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.’”

      Jesus said later to Sister Faustina:  “Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you.  Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death.  Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope.  Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this chaplet even once will receive grace from My infinite Mercy.  I want the whole world to know My infinite Mercy.  I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy.”