April 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter The Sacraments. Eucharist of the Lord s Day

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1 Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 522 Main Street P.O. Box 399 Marydel, Maryland Phone: Fax: Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Fridays 9:30-Noon, Closed Wednesdays. Because of the limited size of our staff, hours are subject to change. It s best to call first. Eucharist of the Lord s Day Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. (in Spanish) Weekday Eucharist Thursday 7:00 p.m. (in Spanish) Holydays of Obligation As announced in the bulletin Reconciliation After the Sunday morning Masses, Thursday evening 6:30pm And by appointment at any reasonable time Pastoral Care and Liturgy Very Rev. James S. Lentini, V.F., Pastor Rev. Idongesit A. Etim, Parochial Vicar Rev. John T. Solomon, Parochial Vicar Deacon James M. Tormey, Sr. Deacon Sherman Mitchell, III Christian Formation Mrs. Alicia Poppiti, D.R.E. Hispanic Ministry Mrs. Arline Dosman If you or someone you know is in need of financial assistance, please call St Vincent DePaul (302) April 29, 2018 Fifth Sunday of Easter The Sacraments The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process in which adults and children of catechetical age join the Catholic Church. Please contact Deacon Sherman Mitchell III, our R.C.I.A. Coordinator, for details at Parents wishing to present their children for Infant Baptism must participate in an orientation session. Please call the parish office at for details. Please contact Alicia Poppiti at about the preparation of young people for Confirmation, or about children s first reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Couples planning Matrimony meet with the Pastor or one of the Deacons at least one year in advance of the wedding date they are considering. Please call the parish office to arrange for this meeting. Pastoral Care of the Sick: The Anointing of the Sick is appropriate for anyone faced with hospitalization or a serious challenge to health. When a hospital admission is planned, please arrange to receive the Anointing here beforehand, if at all possible. Our lay ministers to the sick bring Holy Communion to those unable to come to Mass for any length of time. Please call the parish office to arrange for these services. Your Pastor, Deacons and parish staff members are always happy to speak in confidence with anyone who senses a call to ordained ministry or religious life. Dear Parishioners, As noted in last week s bulletin: Last weekend (on Saturday morning at Immaculate Conception) and this weekend (on Saturday morning at Holy Cross), a large number of children are receiving their First Holy Communion. I ask you prayers for them, that they may continue throughout their lives remaining faithful to our Lord and his Holy Church, and that they may always turn to him in their need, in thanksgiving, in adoration and in contrition. For us, inspired by these young people, this is a good time to remind ourselves of the Church s teachings regarding the reception of Holy Communion; this will be the focus of this column. Reverence. As a reminder to all of us, whether we are making our 1st or 25,000th Holy Communion, we are to approach that Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ with reverence. What does reverent mean? It means just what your grandmother would think it means: You approach our Lord prayerfully, solemnly, in a proper disposition, and focusing on Christ. You should not be talking to the person behind you in the communion line and certainly, certainly, certainly, should not be chewing a stick of Juicy Fruit gum. Manner of Reception. The normative manner of receiving Holy Communion in the Dioceses of the United States is standing and, on the tongue, though by indult from the Vatican people may also properly receive in the hand. By tradition, the reception of communion in a kneeling position is also observed (and is the normative manner of reception in most of the world). Note, if receiving on the hand, the host is place in your hand by the Priest (or Deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion). At no point should you snatch or pluck the host from minister of Communion with your fingers Host snatching is to Holy Communion, what eating mashed potatoes (or smashed

2 potatoes as they say in Philadelphia) is to dining etiquette. It is bad form, and it is irreverent. We receive Holy Communion, we don t grab it. The Rite. When people come forward for Communion, the person ministering the Host or Cup to them will say The Body of Christ (host) or The Blood of Christ (cup). The response of the person receiving is Amen. Fasting Before Communion. Before one receives Holy Communion, he is to refrain from food and drink (except water and medicine) for one hour. And to clarify, a doughnut even a Dunkin Donuts Boston Cream doughnut is not medicine. Properly Receiving the Sacrament. If one is conscious of Mortal Sin (meaning the sin must meet all of the following criteria: It must be of grave matter, sufficiently reflected on before being committed and done with the full consent of the will), that person is to abstain from receive Holy Communion. If you are only conscious of Venial Sins (sins that do not meet the criteria of Mortal Sin), you may present yourself for communion, and Christ, whose Real Presence is in the Sacrament, forgives venial sins for which one is sorry. Can I Receive Holy Communion if I am Conscious of Mortal Sin? Receiving Holy Communion if you are aware that you are in a state of Mortal Sin yields the grave sin of Sacrilege. There is nothing wrong with attending Mass and not receiving Holy Communion if you shouldn t be receiving Holy Communion. It is in fact commendable. It demonstrates the virtues temperance, fortitude and prudence. Attending that Mass, without receiving Communion, may well prepare you prayerfully for the next time you have to go to Confession. There is a tendency in our American culture to queue up in line for Holy Communion because everyone else is. It is a bad tendency. The line for Communion is not the line for Bruce Springsteen Concert Tickets that is to say, you don t get in line just because you want to get tickets. For Communion one gets in the Communion line not just because that person wants to receive the Eucharist, but because that person is prepared and disposed to receive it. How Often Do I Have to Receive Communion? While the Church teaches that one must attend Mass weekly, it also teaches that one only has to receive Communion once a year (preferably during the Easter Season) in what common called Easter Duty. Grace of the Sacrament. In the Eucharist, as in all Sacraments, the recipient of the Sacrament receives God s Sanctifying grace. One author I read stated it nicely: Holy Communion, if we are rightly disposed, produces an increase in sanctifying grace - the ability to take in the vision of God in the life to come - plus a special claim to actual graces as needed, forgiveness of venial sin for which one is repentant, help to keep from mortal sin, and an increase in the virtue of love. But dispositions are needed, for even though the Eucharist [is the Real Presence of Christ], it does not operate like magic: we must do what we can. Do I have to receive both the Host and the Cup? No, reception from either the Host or the Cup is reception of Holy Communion. Both possess the Real Presence of Christ. As a matter of fact, the Church teaches: Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone [or cup alone] makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace. (Catechism #1390). Fruits of the Sacrament. Much like an employee taking a job for a new company, people receiving the Eucharist may ask, what are the benefits? The benefits or the fruits the Eucharist as they are called, are many, including, reception of God s Sanctifying Grace, augmentation of a stronger union with Christ, spiritual nourishment; cleansing us from venial sins; helping to preserve us from future sins; strengthening of the unity of the Church; and uniting us to our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those in need. So today, pray for our new First Communicants, and then consider the great gift of the Eucharist that Christ has given us. Yours in Christ, Fr. James Lentini, Pastor MASS INTENTIONS: COLLECTION TOTALS: Sunday, April 29 8:30 Tommy Smith 11:00 Bruce Schepens Misa en Español 1pm For the People Thursday May 3 Misa en Español 7pm Sunday, 8:30 Ann R. Sullivan 11:00 Lynn Schepens Misa en Español 1pm For the People For the People Offertory: $ Supplementary: $ Second Collection Today: Supplementary Your continued support of the work of your Church is much needed, and appreciated..

3 STEWARDSHIP OF TIME & TALENT Collection Counters Apr 29 Julia Moore & Ann Lawson Elisa & Tom Costello May 13 Marilyn Dixon & Maurilio Gabriel Church Cleaning Crew Mayo 4, 2018 Grupo # 8 Reynaldo Pérez, Maribel Ortiz, Juventino López, Isenia Escalante, Clemente Escalante Mayo 11, 2018 Grupo #2 Juan Díaz Reynoso, Marlene García, Leonel Juárez, Ángela Córdova, Bernardo De Paz Altar Servers 8:30am Mass Anna Clancy & Averi Locke 11am Mass Savannah Strauss & Vincent Haass Spanish Misa 1pm Reynaldo Alvarez & Itzel Roblero Lectors 8:30am Mass Marilyn Dixon 11am Mass Jim Ward Spanish Misa 1pm Lucía Tomas, Ada Escalante Eucharistic Ministers 8:30am Mass Gerry Godfrey, Charlotte Tormey 11am Mass Joyce & Frank Cristiano Spanish Misa 1pm Ovidio Roblero, N. Capistran, Salome Morales, A. Escalante,Verónica Bravo 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal Disciples of Christ Witnesses of Faith We have pledged $11, of our $24, goal. Thank you to everyone who made a pledge to the diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please consider doing so today. Your gift makes a real difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families who reside within our 12- county diocese. Pledge envelopes are available in the pews and can be placed in the offertory basket. Thank you for your generosity and support. To learn more about the Annual Catholic Appeal, visit click Giving then Annual Catholic Appeal. SCHEDULED EVENTS Sun, April 29 9:40am SRE Classes in Classrooms Sun, April 29 2pm RICA-basement Mon, Apr 30 & Wed May 2-7pm ESL Tue, May 1 7pm Juan XXIII Wed, May 2 7pm 100 th Anniversary Meeting Thur, May 3 8pm - Directiva Fri, May 4-7pm Band Practice Sat, May 5 6:30pm Culto May 20 th 5PM The 100 th Anniversary Committee invites you to enjoy Breakfast for Dinner with your Parish Family. More details and Menu coming soon! Knights of Columbus Next meeting Tues, May 8 th 6:30pm Rosary 7pm Meeting in the Knights Hall All members are encouraged to attend. Membership is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practicing Catholics. For more info, contact Grand Knight, Bruce Kelley (302) or kelley29@comcast.net. Follow us on Knights of Columbus Council Marriage & Family Life Corner Marriage Moment "Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth." (1John 3:18) Saying "I love you." is good. Doing an act of kindness is an even stronger testament of love. Use both "love languages" once today. Parenting Pointer Do you really listen to your child? Of course you do. Now be honest. Do you sometimes "listen with your answer running"? Today, just for today, pay attention to a request your child makes and look for the reason behind the request before automatically saying, "No."

4 FROM THE DRE S DESK School of Religious Education September 24, 2017-, :40am-10:50am VBS will be here at ICC soon! July 30 th - August 3 rd The next Vacation Bible School planning meeting is on Thursday, May 3 rd at 7pm in the parish hall. Please let us know if you are interested in helping out this year. Registration for VBS is open now. Registration forms are available at Ms. Alicia s desk in the hall. Registration is open for next year Religious Education. Get your seat now! For next year RE! Please get your registrations today and save a spot for your children next year. Spaces go fast, so do not miss out! Don t wait until September! LAS MATRICULAS: para nuestro programa de formación cristiana de niños en domingo están todavía disponibles en el despacho parroquial, en la entrada principal del templo, y en el internet. Favor de someterlas en lo más pronto posible, con la cobra de $35 por cada niño, y no más de $150 cada familia. NEEDED: TEACHERS! APPLY HERE FOR NEXT YEAR! Share your gifts and get the rewards in heaven. We will need 2 or more teachers for religious education on Sunday mornings from September to May. Please take the time during Lent this year in prayer and discernment on serving the young people and families of our Parish. Please contact Alicia Poppiti with any questions, at parish office. Thank you to those that have heard the call and responded. QUESTION OF THE WEEK Fifth Sunday of Easter Theme: I am the vine; you are the branches. Question for Children: How do you keep yourself connected to Jesus in your daily life? Question for Youth: Jesus is the vine we are the branches, connected to Him as our life-source. When do you feel most connected to Jesus in your everyday life? How can you go there more often? Question for Adults: How does your own connection to Christ, the vine, affect your daily life? What image from this reading helps you see the importance of this connection to Christ? 5to domingo de Pascua Tema: Yo soy la vid y ustedes los sarmientos. Pregunta para los niños: Cómo te mantienes conectado con Jesús en tu vida diaria? Pregunta para los jóvenes: Jesús es la vid y nosotros los sarmientos, conectados con Él como nuestra fuente de vida. Cuándo te sientes más conectado con Jesús en tu vida diaria? Cómo puedes hacerlo con mayor frecuencia? Pregunta para los adultos: En qué incide su propia conexión con Cristo, la vid, en su vida diaria? Qué imagen de esta lectura lo ayuda a ver la importancia de esta conexión con Cristo? Are you being called to the Priesthood? Come socialize, talk, and hang-out with priests, and men like yourself, who think the Lord may be calling them to be a priest. Find out about the amazing life of the Priesthood. CAS North will meet on May 16, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption in Hockessin, Delaware. For more information, contact Father Chris Coffiey at FrCoffiey@sjbde.org or call CAS South will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Saint John the Apostle Church, 506 Seabury Drive, Milford, DE on April 30, Contact Father John Solomon at fatherjohnsolomon@gmail.com or

5 Columna del párroco padre James Lentini 29 de abril, Queridos feligreses, Como se señaló en el boletín de la semana pasada: el fin de semana pasado (el sábado por la mañana en la Inmaculada Concepción) y este fin de semana (el sábado por la mañana en Holy Cross), una gran cantidad de niños reciben su Primera Comunión. Les pido oraciones por ellos, para que puedan continuar a lo largo de sus vidas permaneciendo fieles a nuestro Señor y a su Santa Iglesia, y que siempre pueden recurrir a Él en sus necesidades, en acción de gracias, en adoración y con un corazón contrito. Para nosotros, inspirado por estos jóvenes, este es un buen momento para recordarnos las enseñanzas de la Iglesia con respecto a la recepción de la Sagrada Comunión; este será el foco de esta columna. Reverencia. Como un recordatorio para todos nosotros, ya sea que hagamos nuestra Primera o 25,000 Santa Comunión, debemos acercarnos a ese Sacramento del Cuerpo y la Sangre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo con reverencia. Qué significa reverente? Significa exactamente lo que tu abuela podría pensar que significa: te acercas a nuestro Señor en oración, con solemnidad, en una disposición apropiada y centrándote en Cristo. No deberías estar hablando con la persona que está detrás de ti en la línea de la comunión y sin duda, sin duda, no debería estar masticando un chicle de Juicy Fruit. Forma de Recepción. La manera normativa de recibir la Sagrada Comunión en las Diócesis de los Estados Unidos es permanente y, es en la lengua, aunque por indulto del Vaticano la gente también puede recibir apropiadamente en la mano. Por tradición, también se observa la recepción de la comunión en una posición de rodillas (y es la manera normativa de recepción en la mayor parte del mundo). Nota, si recibes en la mano, la hostia es puesto en la mano por el Sacerdote (o Diácono o Ministro Extraordinario de la Sagrada Comunión). En ningún momento debe arrebatar o arrancar la hostia del ministro de la Comunión con los dedos. El arrancar la hostia es para la Sagrada Comunión, lo es comer puré de patatas (o papas majadas como dicen en Filadelfia) es una etiqueta de cena. Es mala forma, y es irreverente. Recibimos la Sagrada Comunión, no la tomamos. El RITO. Cuando la persona se presenta para la Comunión, la persona o el ministro que les sirve la Hostia o Copa dirá "El Cuerpo de Cristo" (hostia) o "La Sangre de Cristo" (copa). La respuesta de la persona que recibe es "Amén". Ayunar Antes de la Comunión. Antes de recibir la Sagrada Comunión, debe abstenerse de comer y beber (excepto agua y medicamentos) durante una hora. Y para aclarar, una donas, incluso una donas Dunkin 'Donuts Boston Cream, no es medicina. Recibir Correctamente el Sacramento. Si uno es consciente del pecado mortal (es decir, el pecado debe cumplir con todos los criterios siguientes: debe ser un asunto grave, suficientemente reflexionado antes de cometerse y hecho con el consentimiento total del testamento), esa persona debe abstenerse de recibir Sagrada comunión. Si solo eres consciente de pecados veniales (pecados que no cumplen los criterios del pecado mortal), puedes presentarte para la comunión, y Cristo, cuya presencia real está en el sacramento, perdona los pecados veniales por los cuales uno se arrepiente. Puedo Recibir la Sagrada Comunión si soy Consciente del Pecado Mortal? Recibir la Sagrada Comunión si eres consciente de que estás en un estado de pecado mortal produce el grave pecado del Sacrilegio. No hay nada de malo en asistir a Misa y no recibir la Sagrada Comunión si no debería recibir la Sagrada Comunión. De hecho, es encomiable. Demuestra las virtudes de templanza, fortaleza y prudencia. Asistir a esa misa, sin recibir la Comunión, puede prepararte en oración para la próxima vez que tengas que ir a la Confesión. Hay una tendencia en nuestra cultura estadounidense a hacer cola para la Sagrada Comunión porque todos los demás lo hacen. Es una mala práctica. La línea para Comunión no es la línea para los Boletos de Concierto de Bruce Springsteen, es decir, usted no se pone en línea solo porque quiere obtener boletos. Para la Comunión uno entra en la línea de la Comunión no solo porque esa persona quiere recibir la Eucaristía, sino porque esa persona está preparada y en estado para recibirla. Con Qué Frecuencia Debo Recibir la Comunión? Mientras que la Iglesia enseña que uno debe asistir a misa semanalmente, también enseña que uno solo tiene que recibir la Comunión una vez al año (preferiblemente durante el Tiempo Pascual) en lo que comúnmente se llama "Deber de Pascua". Gracia del Sacramento. En la Eucaristía, como en todos los Sacramentos, el destinatario del Sacramento recibe la gracia santificante de Dios. Un autor que leí lo expresó muy bien: "La Sagrada Comunión, si tenemos una disposición correcta, produce un aumento en la gracia santificante: la capacidad de ver la vida de Dios en la vida venidera, más un reclamo especial de gracias reales según sea necesario, el perdón del pecado venial por el cual uno se arrepiente, ayuda a evitar el pecado mortal y aumenta la virtud del amor. Pero se necesitan disposiciones, porque aunque la Eucaristía [es la Presencia Real de Cristo], no funciona como la magia: debemos hacer lo que podamos ". Tengo Que Recibir Ambos la Hostia como la Copa? No, la recepción de la Hostia o de la Copa es la recepción de la Sagrada Comunión. Ambos poseen la Presencia Real de Cristo. De hecho, la Iglesia enseña: "Puesto que Cristo está sacramentalmente presente bajo cada una de las especies, la comunión bajo la especie de pan solo [o solo en la copa] hace posible recibir todo el fruto de la Gracia Eucarística" (Catecismo # 1390). Frutos del Sacramento. Al igual que un empleado que toma un trabajo para una nueva compañía, las personas que reciben la Eucaristía pueden preguntar, cuáles son los beneficios? Los beneficios o "Los Frutos de la Eucaristía", como se les llama, son muchos, incluida la recepción de la Gracia Santificante de Dios, el aumento de una unión más fuerte con Cristo, alimento espiritual; limpiándonos de los pecados veniales; ayudando a preservarnos de los pecados futuros; fortalecimiento de la unidad de la Iglesia; y uniéndonos a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, especialmente a los necesitados. Entonces, hoy, oren por nuestros nuevos Primeros Comunicantes, y luego consideren el gran regalo de la Eucaristía que Cristo nos ha dado. Tuyo en Cristo, P. James Lentini, Párroco