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Lake Stevens † Granite Falls
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH
MAILING ADDRESS: PO BOX 746, LAKE STEVENS, WA 98258
6915 SR 92, LAKE STEVENS, WA | 360-691-2636 |
www.hccclakestevens.org
————————— FEBRUARY 7, 2021 —————————
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PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL
★ Kyle Witte
★Solomo Crossley ★Christopher Ames
★Shane Hutzenbiler ★Matthew Hutzenbiler
★Joe Keim ★Daniel White ★Christian Bloomquist
★Jonathan Stafford ★Scott Arreola-Tialavea
★Christian Mylett
Do you have a family member in the military services you would
like added to the prayer list? Contact the parish office by
phone
or email.
We keep the following people in our prayers:
PARISH STEWARDSHIP
Time, Talent & Treasure
If you would like to place a name on our prayer lists please
contact the parish office by phone 360-691-2636
or email [email protected]
+ Eden Guatamala + Francisca Omono Oamhen + Dario Briones
Estrella + Theresa Maryann Swan + Elmer Cubela + Reyna Guzman
Rodriguez + Odette H. Medawar + Pedro Romero + Kate Waldmann-Murphy
+ Oliver Johansen + Rodney Johnson + Eduardo Salazar + Michael Vito
Claps Jr. + Dorothy Johanna Gallus + Colleen Mae Border + Gladys
Bird + Gene Muhlherr + Patricia Taylor + Pablo Rodriguez + Marjorie
Kelly + Jim Shields + Elsa Figueroa
+ Lydia Galvan + Michelle Niesen + Ermelinda Rosario Brito +
Juana Macias + Olga Prieto + Karla Baca + Alfredo Ramirez +
Leonardo Marin + James Kussy + Blanca Cecilia de la Torre +
Josefina Guitron + Luz Elena Guitron + Charlotte Stickney + Robert
(Butch) Sankovitch + Maria Amelia Blanco Reyes
We also pray
for the repose of the souls of:
...and those whom we hold silently in our hearts. Support Holy
Cross parish with Amazon Smile
Do you shop on Amazon.com? Amazon will donate a percentage of
profits to our parish when you select
“Holy Cross Catholic Church of Lake Stevens/Granite Falls“
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smile.amazon.com.
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for February 7
JOB 7:1-4, 6-7
1st CORINTHIANS 9:16-19, 22-23
MARK 1:29-39
Doug Prustman Victor Santana
Vicky O’Sullivan Todd Clark
Matthew Verdugo Katie Doyle
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual
light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace. Amen
Financial Report for Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2021:
Sunday Envelopes (35): $ 2,704.00
Sunday Loose Donations: $ 434.00
TOTAL: $ 3,138.00
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The question we face in the readings today is one that haunts us
in every generation. Why do bad things hap-pen? Recently I did a
funeral for an 18-year-old and another funeral for a 28-year-old.
Both of those families are dealing with terrible grief, unanswered
prayers, and questions of why God allowed these deaths to take
place, even leaving a daughter that will never know her daddy. The
question of suffering is the issue that is addressed in our first
reading. Job was a wealthy and honorable man who went through a
series of misfortunes, losing his flocks, his wealth, and even his
children. Then he himself is afflicted with a very painful illness.
For this reason he wonders why all this has happened to him and
cries out to God. His friends come trying to convince him that he
must have sinned, because God punishes the wicked and rewards the
good. Throughout the book of Job, we see the belief that God has to
reward the righteous and punish the wicked during his lifetime.
This belief tries to put God at the service of men. That is, if the
human person acts in a righteous way, God is forced to arrange the
events of history so that this person takes advantage of
happi-ness. In the same way, if the person acts in a bad way, God
is obliged to arrange the events so that this person suffers. At
the end of Job's story, the author says that Job had not sinned and
that the sufferings in his life are not his fault. The author tries
to assure people that suffering is not the result of divine
justice. But people found it very difficult to accept this
teaching, and to this day, we see that many people follow this
idea. Therefore, there are people who get angry with God, saying
that God did not listen to their prayers. In the Gospel we see
Jesus doing his ministry of healing the sick and casting out
demons. Jesus' mission was to teach that God wanted the best for
the human person - that God's will is for the person to live
healthy and free from the forces of evil. In the Gospel these evil
forces are expressed as diseases and as demons. Jesus has the power
to free a person from these forces and bring him back to the human
community. For example, after the cure, Peter's mother-in-law is
included in the activities of the house, and the other cured
entered the life of the community. The readings tell us that there
is suffering, sorrow and pain in life, but they are not punishments
for what we have done. God does not send sickness as punishment.
The disease reaches the good as well as the bad. We cannot buy
health or happiness by our actions. Suffering is a mystery, a
mystery that is beyond our understand-ing. But that is not to say
that we should seek pain, or see it as a good thing. Rather, we
should try to alleviate pain and suffering, according to the
example of Jesus. Jesus serves as an example for our life. We have
to do every-thing possible to make every living person be free from
that which separates us from the fullness of the human community.
Jesus is the fullness of life. Jesus healed and he freed people
from what enslaved. We are called to follow the example of Jesus,
to the best of our ability we are also to heal and to set people
free. So often we look to God to solve our problems or sometimes to
even to blame. But the real challenge is to follow the example of
Jesus and to be healers, helpers and caregivers to others. Jesus is
the model of our life. As he has done, so must we.
Sunday Homily for February 7, 2021
By Fr. Jay DeFolco
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We still need your help to pay the interest on the loan for
our new Church.
Please consider making a commitment for 2021 by
giving online at hccclakestevens.org
Holy Cross Outreach Food Drive
February 6th at Granite Falls IGA
Thank you Brian Doyle & Volunteers!
David Hutzenbiler Monte Marti
Paul Gassman Norm Schille
Jon Kurtenbach Judy & Jeffer Knowles
Ruth Johnson Len & Donna Derby
Liz Doyle Jessica San Luis
Lisa Flinn
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Mass Times Sunday Masses
Saturday, 5:00 PM English Sunday, 8:00 AM Spanish Sunday, 9:30
AM English
Sunday, 11:00 AM Spanish
Limit 100 persons each Mass, Plus 50 in Overflow Health
screening questions
Attendees must wear masks Observe social distance of 6 feet
You can also watch the Mass on Facebook Live
or view afterwards at www.hccclakestevens.org DAILY MASS &
WEEKDAY DEVOTIONS No registration required, but space is limited to
30 people. You will need to check in and wear a face covering.
Daily Mass Schedule: Tuesday 8 am Mass Wednesday 8 am Mass 4-6 pm
Adoration and Confession 6 pm Mass Thursday 8 am Mass 12 pm Divine
Mercy Chaplet Friday 8 am Mass
BAPTISM OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
+ The Sacrament of Baptism of Infants and Young Children (under
age 7) is normally celebrated on Sundays throughout the year at
regular Mass times. During this time of Covid-19, baptisms are
being celebrated privately. + Baptisms are being scheduled for
Saturdays. Contact the parish office for preparation materi-als and
baptism request form. Once the forms and preparation have been
completed , you will be contacted with available dates and times. +
Preparation is required for parents if this is their first child
being baptized, their first child being baptized at Holy Cross, or
it has been more than 3 years since the last child’s baptism. +
Preparation for godparents is encouraged but not required.
Godparents must be baptized, confirmed Catholics in good standing.
Only one godparent is required. If you choose two godparents then
one is a man and one is a woman. Godparents may not be the same as
the parent of the child and must be at least 16 years old. + A copy
of the child’s birth certificate is requested. + Preparation is
available in Spanish or English.
Children Age 7+ who need Baptism should be registered
in our RCIA for Children & Youth Program
Please contact LeeAnn at the parish office for more information.
360-
691-2636
Please Note OUR OFFICE IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Please call ahead if you need to arrange to meet with a parish
staff member or Fr. Jay.
All office visitors must wear a mask and maintain 6’ feet social
distance. Thank you!
Holy Cross Staff Directory Mailing Address PO Box 746, Lake
Stevens, WA 98258 Street Address 6915 SR 92, Lake Stevens, WA 9258
Parish Office 360-691-2636 Parish FAX 360-691-3683 Pastor Rev.
Joseph DeFolco Who to contact?
Administrator Alicia Ramirez [email protected]
Bookkeeper Annette Van Dyke [email protected]
Faith Formation LeeAnn Balbirona [email protected]
Music Director Jeannette Green
Facilities Carol Cornish [email protected]
Outreach (Food & Utilities assistance) 360-691-2273
[email protected]
Carmella Barger—RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
[email protected]
Eduardo & Rosario Avalos—Matrimonio, Confirmación, Grupo de
oracion, Servidores de altar
Angel y Emilia Herrera—Bautismo, Boletín, Estudio Biblico
Brian Doyle—Knights of Columbus Council 13560 Marcella
Rockenbach—Adult Bible Study
http://www.hccclakestevens.org/?fbclid=IwAR0xtRS4NkwfFjuddPSMvNk6T-6hdYFI1dpSJKcwLrl3YC5TzPFEQ1qOlKk
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A meditation for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time from the
Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Ongoing Inquiry into the Catholic Faith is available. This is
for
persons who are seeking baptism in the Catholic Church. It
is also for those already baptized in another Christian
Tradi-
tion who are seeking full communion with the Catholic
Church through the Profession of Faith Preparation for the
reception of the sacraments of
Confirmation and Eucharist are included. If you are over 18
years old and have an inter-
est in preparing for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and
Communion in the coming
year, contact RCIA Director Carmella Barger at: 425-478-4269 or
[email protected]
Registrations for RCIA are accepted throughout the year
Adult Faith Formation
Lectio Divina for Sunday, February 7, 2021
Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:29-39 Own Word or Phrase: What conversion of mind, heart,
and life is the Lord asking of me?
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Who in my
life needs me to approach, grasp their hand and lift
them up? In what areas of my own life do I need another to
approach, grasp my hand and lift me up?
He left and went off to a deserted place to pray. Where is my
deserted place to pray? What small changes am I being
prompted to make to enhance my time of prayer with the Lord?
For this purpose, have I come. To what purpose is God calling me
at this time in my life? How can I continue to discern
my life’s purpose?
-Adapted from Lectio Divina of the Gospels for Liturgical Year
2020-2021, USCCB
WISDOM FROM THE CELLS
I remember a time someone instilled hope in me when I thought it
was lost. When I received my life sentence, I lost all hope. For
years,
my dreams were crushed and the light of my hope was blown out.
After my post-conviction and legal work failed, things got worse.
I
was filled with hate and rage as my dreams of life crushed to
the ground. I then turned to drugs to escape these feelings. I was
beyond
heartbroken. My family and friends tried to encourage me. But
nothing could reach me. I had built up walls of hate, rage, and
self-pity
to cut me off. Drugs were my only escape. It got so bad that
eventually I was sent to the SHU (Security Housing Unit), which is
like a
prison within a prison. It was there that God touched my life.
He stopped my sinful habits. During my first six months there, my
only
companion was God and his Holy Word, the Bible. This was the
only light in my life. Slowly, I started to regain a little hope in
my life. I
gave up drugs and I took up prayer. It did not happen overnight,
in fact, it took years, but the hope in my life started to grow.
The more
that I surrendered to God, the more my life was healed. I began
to experience love, joy, hope and peace. Life took on new meaning
for
me when I began to experience this healing.
—Joseph, who is in a California State Prison.
Via Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative
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What are you doing for Lent?
Lectio Divina - an invitation
Lectio Divina or “divine reading” is a process of praying with
scripture, engaging with
Christ, dialoguing with the Word of God. It can be done
individually or with a small
group. There are four steps.
1. Reading (Lectio), we hear what God says through
scripture.
2. Mediation (Meditation), we take it into our hearts and
reflect on it.
3. Prayer (Oratio), we speak as we offer our prayer in
response.
4. Contemplation (Contemplatio), we rest and listen to God’s
message to us. The pro-
cess is opened and closed in prayer. This prayer form is an
excellent way to prepare
for the Sunday Liturgy.
BASIC FORMAT
Opening Prayer: Sign of the Cross or my own words of recognition
of the presence of Christ.
Reading (Lectio)
I read a short Scripture passage, such as the Sunday Gospel.
Meditation (Meditatio)
I reflect in silence on one or more of the following
questions.
+What word or phrase in this passage caught my attention?
+What in this passage comforted or challenged me?
Prayer (Oratio)
I read the Scripture passage again. I bring to the Lord the
praise, petition, lament, or
thanksgiving that the Word inspires in me.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
I read the Scripture one more time. I reflect and listen to our
Lord. What conversion of
mind, heart, and life is being asked of me?
Closing Prayer: The “Our Father” or any other prayer of
gratitude from my heart.
Consider writing in your journal and/or share with a trusted
friend or family member.
Small groups are forming during Lent 2021 (mid-February to end
of March) for those
who would like to participate in a virtual experience.
Meeting times will be determined by group interest. Meetings are
on Zoom.
Contact Carmella Barger at
[email protected] or 425-478-4269
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Children’s Faith Formation
Youth Faith Formation
Holy Cross youth ministry Zoom groups! for Middle School
&
High School Students (grades 6-8 and 9-12)
Led by Diana Cortes and Angel J. Herrera
2/7 at 1 PM, middle school youth group Contact
[email protected] to RSVP for Zoom links
A new series is beginning in February! If you are a parent of a
middle school or high school student who wishes to join in, please
contact LeeAnn at
[email protected] to sign up for this online meeting
series.
February 7—for families TAKE TIME TO CHAT
Share a time when you asked Jesus to help when you are some-one
you know was sick.
Today’s Gospel tells us that ”the whole town” was gathered at
the door of Simon and Andrew’s house. How many people do you think
Jesus healed that night?
Why do you think it was important for Jesus to go and preach in
the other villages?
Family Prayer: +Lord Jesus, protect (Names) physically,
spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically this day. Help them
to know that they can turn to you for strength and guidance. Keep
evil far from them and help them to trust you as their refuge and
strength. Make them strong and courageous in the presence of
danger, recognizing that with you they can face any challenge. Take
care of them in all the circumstances of their lives. Amen.
Children’s First Confessions Our First Communion students are
now preparing for their first con-fessions. This year, instead of a
group penance service with several priests, the children should
come for their first confession on any regularly-scheduled time for
Reconciliation. At Holy Cross, this is on Wednesdays between 4 pm
and 6 pm. If this time does not work for your family schedule, you
may go to any of our surrounding parishes for confession.
To be ready:
• Complete reading and discussion of chapters 17 to 20 in the
First Communion book
• Make sure your child understands the difference between a
mistake or accident and a sin (choosing to do something you know is
wrong)
• Introduce the 10 Commandments and discuss what they mean at a
child’s level
• Help your child through their examination of conscience—they
may wish to make written notes for their first confes-sion if they
are nervous or forgetful
• Go to confession, and remember to tell the priest, “This is my
first confession!” Have a copy of the Act of Contrition prayer with
you if you have not yet memorized it.
After your First Confession: Remember to do your penance—make a
note or do it right away so you don’t forget! Parents: Celebrate
with your child with a small reward after-wards—ice cream or
another favorite dessert.
FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING—via Zoom
Wednesday, February 24
6:30 pm, English
7:00 pm, Spanish
Please check your email for Zoom links a few days before the
meeting. If you are not receiving First Communion parent emails,
please contact LeeAnn at 360-691-2636 to get onto the email
list.
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WEEKLY PRAYER
READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7, 2021
SUN 2/7 JOB 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 COR 9:16-19, 22-23; MK 1:29-39
MON 2/8 GEN 1:1-19; MK 6:53-56
TUE 2/9 GEN 1:20-2:4A; MK 7:1-13
WED 2/10 GEN 2:4B-, 15-17; MK 7:14-23
THU 2/11 GEN 2:18-25; MK 7:24-30
FRI 2/12 GEN 3:1-8; MK 7:31-37
SAT 2/13 GEN 3:9-24; MK 8:1-10
SUN 2/14 LV 13:1-2, 44-46; 1 COR 10:31-11:1; MK 1:40-45
OBSERVANCES FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7, 2021
Sunday: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita
Wednesday: St. Scholastica
Thursday: Our Lady of Lourdes
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Marriage Day
Valentine’s Day
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January 20
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NEW LAKE STEVENS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER!
Hi, my name is Tina and I am honored to be back in Lake
Stevens, sharing my purpose. I bring heart, resilience and a
genuine care for my neighbor and community. If you or some-
one you know are in need of help whatever that may be
please call 425-405-2252 or email at [email protected] I
look forward to hearing from you and working together to
weather the storm. I am available Mon-Thurs from 9am-4pm.
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Holy Cross Outreach Emergency Food Distribution
& Utilities Assistance
**Curbside Pickup**
Tuesdays 2-4 PM and
Thursdays 10 AM-12 PM Clients needing assistance with Utility
bills,
please call and leave a message at 360-691-2273. Email us at
[email protected]
More Community Food Bank information can be found on the
Outreach page of our website at
https://hccclakestevens.org/index.php/outreach/
Holy Cross Outreach emergency food distribution welcomes your
donations
of canned and boxed foods and toiletries. Call ahead to arrange
drop off
time: 360-691-2636
Our bags contain:
• Canned foods: fruit, vegetables, tomato sauce, soups, tuna
• Boxed foods: cereals, macaroni, pasta
• Bagged dry goods: rice, dry peas/beans/lentils, ramen
noodles
• Toiletries: soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, laundry soap, dish
soap, toilet
paper, deodorant, razors —individually wrapped items
preferred
NEW!
We are expecting USDA Farmers to Families
fresh food boxes to resume in February
