Religious Education News

March 2, 2008 ny h Fourth Sunday of Lent EE CAFE 9:45 - Christ is Crucified Soon! - Each year during Holy
Stewardship
“Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the
Week the Church reads two different accounts of Jesus' passion. On
Mark your calendars: The Triduum schedule is as follows: appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Readings for Mass Palm Sunday this year we will hear from Matthew and on Good Fri-
Holy Thursday--7:30 pm day John's Gospel account is read. Each Gospel story of Christ's How often do we invest our time, talent and treasure in cre-
March 2, 2008 March 9, 2008 Good Friday--5:00 pm beginning with Stations, followed by Veneration arrest, suffering and death offers a unique vantage point from which ating an appearance that does not matter at all to God? We
Easter Vigil--8:30 pm to see and understand Christ Crucified. On March 2, 9, and 16, Dea- strive to impress with our clothing, home, career, posses-
1st Reading 1 Sm 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Ez 37:12-14 con Gayle will be leading a discussion of Fr. Raymond Brown's
Easter--8:30 and 11 am sions, car and other marks of distinction. But none of these
2nd Reading Ps 23:1-3, 4-6 Ps 130:1-8 study, "A Crucified Christ in Holy Week". Grab a delicious donut
and a great cup of Free Trade coffee and come and join us in Room illusions of greatness will impress God. Instead, He will
THANK YOU for your generous donations of toiletries for the look into our hearts to see how much we loved Him, how
Gospel Eph 5:8-14 Rom 8:8-11 4 between the Masses.
children of prisoners in the Forever Families program. Our pro- much we loved others and how we showed that love by the
ject was a huge success, thanks to your overwhelming participa- Women’s Faith Formation for 2008
Have you ever asked yourself or someone else? tion. St. Matthew's Prison Ministry The next meeting of Women's Faith Formation will take place on way we used our time, talents and treasure here on earth.
Is a divorced person automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Monday evening, March 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm in room 3. We are discuss-
Church? ing the book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna
Does an annulment cost thousands of dollars?
For those interested in visiting Fr. Vic’s blog,
Weaver. All women of the parish are invited to come. For more in-
Lenten Friday Meals
the address is [Link]
Do only Catholic marriages need to be submitted to a tribunal? formation, please call Sally Peters at 770-486-7374. and Stations of the Cross
If an annulment is granted will the children be illegitimate?
FFJ/RCIA As is our tradition, on Fridays during Lent, a mea-
Does it take three to five years for a tribunal to decide of an annulment?
Does anyone who applies, and waits long enough get an annulment?
Free Tax Preparation! Parishioners are welcome to join RCIA as a Friend for the Journey! ger meal is prepared and served before Stations of
If you or someone you know has a household income less than Our new Inquirers need to feel your welcoming presence as they begin
If children were born in the marriage, can an annulment be granted?
their walk into the Catholic Church. Come as you can on Wednesdays,
the Cross. The meal consists of meatless dishes,
If the ex-spouse does not agree to an annulment will it be granted? $40,000, you can receive free tax preparation at one of the many IRS
VITA tax preparation sites. 6:00 Mass, 6:30 potluck, and RCIA begins at 7:00 pm. Meetings are soups, and salads. We welcome you to join us for
Is an annulment just “Catholic divorce”? dinner in room 3 on Fridays at 6:30PM followed
held in the Day Chapel. Babysitting is available with advance notice to
Does an annulment mean that the marriage never took place? These sites are a service to those households whose incomes are less
Is the tribunal like a courtroom, with judges, witnesses, and lawyers?
Rhonda Boyle, 770-683-0110. by Stations of the Cross at 7:15 pm.
than $40,000. In previous years, tax payers have been able to get sub-
Is the idea of an annulment pure legalism in the Catholic Church? stantial refunds through the effective application of tax advantages and Men’s Faith Formation Group
A great deal of misinformation surrounds the Catholic Church’s laws the EIC credit for qualifying families. The St. Matthew Men's Faith Formation Group will meet Tuesday, Lenten Charities Election Results
concerning annulments. Some think that the Church’s procedure for an- March 11, to continue studying the Gospel of Matthew (New Ameri- Each year during Lent Saint Matthew Parish donates 10% of
Certified volunteer tax consultants will complete 1040EZ, 1040A, and
nulments amounts to nothing other than “Catholic divorce,” while oth- can Bible translation) in order to better prepare ourselves to under-
1040 forms at no cost to you. As an additional benefit, prescreening
stand the Evangelist's message we'll be hearing throughout this Church
each weekend's total offertory to a charity chosen by the parish.
ers feel that the process is too cumbersome, intrusive and expensive. software is available to identify qualifying programs ranging for assis- We urge you to consider increasing your offertory donations by
The truth of the matter, however, is that Church law concerning annul- year. All men of the parish are invited to join us at 7:00 pm. For more
tance for food, mortgage, rent, utilities, credit counseling, as well as 10% during Lent. The 2008 Lenten Charities are:
ments both protects the sanctity of marriage and offers a compassionate information call Deacon Gayle at the church or email deacon-
many other areas of assistance.
response to those suffering the effects of a union flawed from its incep- gayle@[Link]. February 9/10 The Western Hemisphere—Amigos for Christ
For location and hours of operation, visit the Atlanta Prosperity Cam- February 16/17 Asia & The Middle East—CARE Safe Water Projects
tion.
paign at [Link] Taxes will be elec- Bible Study
Our next daytime Bible Study will be Tuesday, March 4th from 10:15 February 23/24 Africa—Catholic Relief Services Water Projects
We have an opportunity to have a member of the Tribunal team come to tronically filed with refunds checks being mailed to the taxpayer. March 1/2 National—League of Women Voters
our parish to conduct a workshop to learn first-hand what is involved in to 11:30 am in room 3. All are invited. No previous experience is nec-
essary. For more information contact Rose Herold at 770.306.1214 or March 8/9 Local—St. Matthew St. Vincent de Paul Society
the annulment process and to answer the above questions plus many Looking for a home for your discarded treasures? The Catholic Church March 15/16 Pastor’s Pick—TBD
more. In order to determine whether there is sufficient interest to have Linda Spencer at 770.632.8880.
of St. Gabriel in Fayetteville is looking for goods for its annual rum- The Lenten charitable donation to Amigos for Christ for the
someone from the Tribunal come to St. Matthew we ask that you email mage sale. We are collecting furniture, appliances and just about any First Communion Preparation Classes
Rennie Todd at rtodd@[Link] to express your interest. In the first Sunday of Lent was $1,800.00.
resalable goods (sorry, no computers) every Wednesday (5-6pm) and Last Sunday more than 30 young members of our St. Matthew Parish
near future a date will be set for a workshop at St. Matthew on a week- Family began their preparation to receive the Eucharist for the first
The Lenten charitable donation to CARE Safe Water Projects
Saturday (1-4pm) until mid-April. The parish is located at 152 Antioch
day evening or weekend. Road, Fayetteville. Additional information/questions contact Carol time at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, April 26th. Please pray for the for the second Sunday of Lent was $1,300.00.
770.460.8843 or Donna 678.817.1819. children, that they will come to know the Lord in the Eucharist. The Lenten charitable donation to Catholic Relief Services Wa-
Calendar of Upcoming Events Classes are held in the OLV Cafeteria from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m. each ter Projects for the third Sunday of Lent was $1,700.00.
Families interested in enrolling at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School Sunday. Contact Lisa Lowther - 770-463-9031 - or Kiki Kane - 770-
March 4 9:30AM Church Cleaning for the 2008-09 school year are invited to attend an Admission Informational 486-9347 - for information.
Coffee on March 14th, April 18th or May 15th from 8:15AM-9:30AM. School
March YAM Calendar See Bulletin Board tours will be offered. Applications for the 2008-09 school year are currently Sponsor a Hungry Walker Financial Giving
being accepted. You may call (770)306-9026 ext. 303 for further information PRISM takes part in the St. Vincent de Paul Hunger Walk on March
Adult ♫ Choir Rehearsals ♫ Youth or if you prefer to schedule an appointment to visit the school. Please join us! 2nd. Nearly 30 members of PRISM, the St. Matthew parish Youth in our Parish Family
St. John the Evangelist School in Hapeville is accepting applications Group, are expected to participate in the 5K Hunger Walk sponsored
Tuesdays from 7:00-9:30PM Sundays from 12:00-1:30PM by the Atlanta Council of St. Vincent de Paul Society and other or- February 24, 2008
for grades pre-k thru 7 for the 2008-2009 school year. Call the school office at
404.767.4312 to schedule a tour, obtain admissions and financial aid packets, ganizations at 2:30 pm Sunday, March 2nd. Please be generous if a
Mass Intentions and for information about tuition assistance for Hispanic and Latino students teen asks you to sponsor him or her in the event, which raises money Offertory $17,087.50
through the Goizueta Scholars Fund. Please visit our website [Link] to address the hungry in the Atlanta area. Given in checks & envelopes (256) $16,172.00
Tuesday 9AM T. W. & Eva Smith
Since March 2007, Holy Trinity and Spring Hill College have offered Parish Debt Reduction $306.00
Wednesday 6PM Fran Kuehner undergraduate-level classes in theology and ministry as part of the Cer- Easter Egg Hunt Donations Needed
tificate of Ecclesial Ministry. The current group is now taking their We are currently accepting donations for our Children’s Easter Egg Second Collections $3,971.00
Thursday 9AM Lawrence Sullivan
fourth course. A new group is forming and will begin with the intro- Hunt. Donations of individually wrapped candy, small trinkets, and
Saturday 5PM Edna Lynch ductory class, Vatican II. For more information, contact Sharon John- filled and/or empty plastic eggs would be greatly Upcoming Second Collections
son at Spring Hill College, 678-924-1919 or via email sjohnson@shc. appreciated. Please put your donations in the box labeled
Sunday 8:30AM St. Matthew Parish Family edu [Link] You may also visit the website, www. March 2—Catholic Relief Services
“Easter Egg Hunt” in the main kitchen. If you would like to
Sunday 11AM Chris McCarthy [Link]/atlanta [Link] help with this project please call Kiki Kane at 770.486.9347. March 9—Semi-Annual Flower Fund