MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening:

4:15-4:45 p.m. Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Mass

Sunday Morning: 9:15-9:45 a.m. Reconciliation

10:00 a.m. Mass Holy Days 7:00 p.m. Mass

CHURCH OFFICE

Secretary: Nadine Crosby (912) 437-4750

E-Mail: nativity@darientel.net

Website: www.nativitydarien.us

Nativityofourladydarien

OFFICE HOURS

Monday: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Closed Holidays

“A Catholic Community With A Welcoming Heart”

1000 North Way (Hwy 17), P.O. Box 1079, Darien, Ga 31305 Fr. Timothy McKeown, Pastor Fr. Christopher Hassel, Parochial Vicar

Please patronize our advertisers.

PRIESTS’ OFFICE Fr. Tim and Fr. Chris have offices at St. Francis Xavier

Church located at 405 Howe St., Brunswick, GA 31520.

The office is open Monday - Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.

The SFX Church Office: (912) 265-3249

(Fr. Tim Ext. 11 and Fr. Chris Ext. 12)

Fr. Chris’ Nativity office hours are

Wednesdays 9 am-1 pm

Www.mikemurphykia.com

O Lord Jesus Christ, reward the apostolic zeal of Friar Pedro de Corpa and his four companion friars, Blas, Miguel, Antonio and Francisco, who labored for the

spiritual well-being of the native Guale people of Geor-gia and gave their lives in witness to the Christian faith. Through their merits and intercession graciously grant the favor I humbly ask of You, so that, for the glory of Your Name, their heroic sacrifice may be officially rec-

ognized by the Church. Amen.

CATHOLIC TRIVIA - Lent/Easter 1. What was the Jewish feast which was being celebrated the week Christ was crucified? 2. When Jesus entered Jerusalem during what is known as His Triumphal Entry, what ani-mal was He riding on? 3. Why is the Sunday before the resurrection called Palm Sunday? 4. Which disciple cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant in an attempt to protect Jesus from being taken as a prisoner? 5. What was the name of the high priest’s servant who had his ear cut off by the disciple and subsequently reattached by Jesus? 6. How many times did Peter deny Christ after the abandoned the Lord? 7. How many pieces of silver did Judas trade the life of Jesus for? 8. How did Judas identify Jesus to the soldiers? 9. In repentance Judas returned the money to the priests that he was given as the price of betrayal of the Lord and then did what? 10. The priests took the money that Judas had returned to them and did what with it? ANSWERS: 1. Passover (Luke 22:1) 2. A young donkey (Matthew 21:1-7; Mark 11:1-7; Luke 19:28-35; John 12:12-15). 3. When Jesus en-tered into Jerusalem at the beginning of the Passion week, the people welcomed Him as king and Messiah. They covered the road with their garments and palm fronds as a symbol of their worship and acceptance of Him as king (Matthew 21:8; Mark 11:8; Luke 19:35, 36; John 12:12, 13). 4. Peter (John 18:10) 5. Malchus (John 18:10) 6. Three times (Luke 22:54-57; Mark 14:69, 70; Matthew 26:73-75; John 18:13-27) 7. 30 (Matthew 26:15) 8. By giving Him a kiss (Matthew 26:47-49). 9. Hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5) 10. Bought the potter’s field with the money which is where strangers were buried (Matthew 27:6-8).

“For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have

found none. So cut it down. “ Luke 13:7

ROSARY is at 9:30 am be-fore Sunday mass on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of

the month. Please join us.

Dody Sheppard, Lou Casebonne, Brandon O'Brien, James Karwacki, Lorraine Karwacki, Jack Salay, Linda Moore, Clare Moore, Cori Kusik, Meg Wallace, Caryn Pinto, Patricia Kus-ik, Star Purcell, Dionne Pierce, M.J. Hogan,

Courtney Cobb, Michele Meyers, Wayne Doke, Carol Whit-son, Carla Mucha, Cory Adamson, Michael Higgins, Brigett Conlin, Ann Doherty, Glenford John, Rosa Marie Santos, Maria Bourget, Bob Walczak, Bruce Lowie, Scarlett Bosque, Dorothy Thomas, Randy Morris, Bill Reale, Jen-nifer O’Day, Donna Cole (Shuman), Timmy Tindall, Theresa Morgan, Susan Maggio, Elizabeth O’Connor, Dawne Span-gler, Berend Tober, Ron Williams, Carla Damron, Mary Joiner, Ruth Mest Zehler, Nuris Copeland, Beth Aycock, and Kevin Heying. Also, for all of our loved ones serving our Military and for the Christians the Middle East.

~ WELCOME TO NATIVITY OF OUR LADY PARISH ~ march 24. 2019 ~

If you are not taking your bulletin with you, please return them to the back table. Thank you. If you are not taking your bulletin with you, please return them to the back table. Thank you.

March 16 & 17 Offertory $1376.15 Mass Intentions $20

Bulletin Ad $10 Food Pantry 0.81

Candles $7.27

The next collection will be March 31 for Catholic

Relief Services

Saturday, March 23

† Fr. Leo Ziebarth

Sunday, March 24 † Joanne Miller

Father’s Reflection

~ The 3rd Sunday of lent ~

Around the Diocese

HOMEBOUND

If you know of anyone who is homebound and would like to re-ceive communion, please contact

the church office.

PRAYER LIST

The prayer list needs to be updated frequently so as to allow space for everyone in need of prayer. If you

know any of the people on the pray-er list that have passed away or

have healed, please let the church office know.

Saturday 23 @ 5 pm GREETER: Nina Korsch READER: Carlos Inacio COLLECTORS: Jerry Meyer & Pat Guilfoil EUCH MIN: Carol O’Connor & Jane Meyer ALTAR SERV: Abby Sipe Sunday 24 @ 10 am GREETER: Valerie Tenney READER: John Daniel COLLECTORS: Nuris Copeland & Bob Humkey EUCH MIN: Sandy Stalgaitis, Pat Kota & Laura Daniel (stairs) ALTAR SERV: Grace Daniel PLEASE CHECK EMAIL OR BUL-

LETIN BOARD FOR NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Nativity News

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS We will have elections for 3 Parish Council members’ posi-tions on April 6th & 7th after masses. There are absentee ballots available and must be in by April 5th. They are on

the back table. Nominees Running are:

RANDY CROSBY KATHY CLARKE Randy was a member Kathy plays piano of St. Vincent DePaul for the 10 am mass and the Carnival on Sundays, Committee at his last attends bible study parish. and Christ Life. CATHERINE CAAUWE “DOC” CARROLL Catherine has been Doc is a member of involved in the Parish the Parish Council, Council, CCD, . is our Choir leader, St. Vincent DePaul and has been And many more. involved with the Knights of

Columbus.

Liturgical Ministers Schedule

March 2019

CHRIST LIFE—Following Christ Evening Session: Tuesdays at 5:45 pm Daytime Session: Thursdays at 11 am ALL are welcome to participate whether for just one session or all. Come see what it’s about.

FRIDAYS DURING LENT On Fridays during Lent, we will have a Lenten

supper in the hall at 6 pm, followed by Stations of the Cross at 7 pm. There will be Adoration after the Stations of the Cross on April 22. Please sig-

nup in the foyer to bring something to eat.

Save the date: Ordination to the Priesthood for Deacon Patrick May will be June 1 at the Cathedral in Savannah.

THY KINGDOM COME Intercollegiate Retreat A Retreat for college-aged Young Adults With bibli-cal Catholic teaching, doctrine, tradition and sacra-ments, participants will be able to take practical steps for having conversation with Jesus, go deep-er, find direction, hear His voice. Come explore the many lakes and trails of Camp Grace and enjoy ac-tivities such as archery, canoeing, fishing, and rock

wall climbing. Enter into prayer through personal reflection, praise and worship, mass, adoration and confession. Enjoy fun, fellowship, dancing and a bonfire with young adults from all over Georgia. WHERE: Camp Grace 2559 Walkers Chapel Rd, Roberta, GA 31078 WHEN: April 5th -7th (Fri 5pm - Sun 2pm) You can arrive late or leave early if you need to COST: Early Registration - $70 (Feb 25th- March 17th) Regular Registration - $80 (March 18th - April 5th). *No one will be turned away due to finances. Scholarships are available on basis of need* Sign Up www.diosav.org/campusministry-retreat Contact Abbie Byron-Goslin for questions: campusminis-try@diosav.org or call 912-201-4056

You’re invited to the Nativity of Our Lady’s

WHEN: Sunday, March 31, following the 10 am mass WHERE: In the Parish Hall WHO: Anyone and everyone who has ever volunteered or does volunteer here at Nativity. Please RSVP to the church office so we have enough food.

In appreciation for all you do, have done, and continue to do.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is now an official registered nonprofit with Amazon!

You shop. Amazon gives.

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Ama-zonSmile purchases to the St. Francis Xavier School

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.

Support us by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com and be sure to select our school as your designation.

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“Seven Steps to Holiness” that Father outlined in his homily. 1. We experience / recognize that God is real. We begin to believe that He exists. 2. We recognize that we are sinners. 3. We learn about God and begin to pray more often. (Most people stop here.) 4. We begin to discover God’s presence all over the place (in a sunset, the animals, etc.). 5. We tell others about God and invite them to learn about Him themselves. (These are the “active” parishioners.) 6. At this stage, these people are called “Living Saints,” like Mother Teresa of Calcutta and JP II. They are no longer con-cerned about themselves, but only about others. 7. The person is completely surrendered to the will of God. They only follow and do the will of the Father, like Jesus and Mary did perfectly, instead of their own wills / desires. (They are like the martyrs.)

Here is our Bishop’s Annual Appeal (Who is my neighbor?) Update: Our goal is $8,529 of which $5,868 has been

pledged for a total of 68% with 21 of our 109 households making a pledge thus far. BAA envelopes are in the pews.

Thank you for your participation.

DINNER

MASS INTENTIONS

Blessed Sacrament Church in Savannah is seeking a parish musician/music director. A well-qualified candidate will have experience in providing accompaniment for congrega-

tional singing on the piano and the organ. This position in-cludes but is not limited to participation in all weekend litur-gies, Holy Day masses, school masses, weddings and funerals, and other liturgies during the year. Weekly choir practice with an adult choir and with a student choir is also include in re-sponsibilities. To apply please send your resume to Fr. Brett Brannen at parish@mbschurch.org.

Laura Daniel has volunteered to be a Dy-namic Catholic Parish Champion for our

parish. She will have new books and CDs to give out once a month.

Congratulations, Laura and thank you!

There will be NO Nifty Knitters’ this week.

So we have two crucial questions this morning. First, “What is the fruit God wants?” And second, “How do I bear that fruit?” In response to the first question, the fruit God wants consists of acts of self-giving love done for others. This is what Jesus descr ibes in the Ser -mon on the Mount, “ Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). This love is more than a wish or good will toward another, but a work, a concrete act of love. There are fruits that need to come from our spiritual life, that flow from our relationship of love with God. There are also fruits called the spiritual and the corporal works of mercy that we’re called to do out of love for God and others, like passing on the faith to children and colleagues, going the extra mile to care for those who need it. Jesus said clearly that when he comes at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, he will separate the dead into two groups like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. To those on his right, to those who are saved, he will say, “Come you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of the world, for I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty…, naked…., ill…., a stranger…, in prison … and you cared for me” (Mt 25:31ff). Then he will say to those on his left, “Depar t from me, you accursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hun-gry…, thirsty…, naked…, ill…, … a stranger, … in prison … and you did nothing for me.” Jesus didn’t give us an exhaustive list of actions, but he did tell us that what we did or failed to do for the least of his brethren, we did or failed to do to him. And on those fruits, or lack thereof, we will be judged. How do we bear this fruit? How do I live according to this love to which the Lord calls me here and now?” Jesus tells us elsewhere in the Gospel, “Every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know the tree by its fruits” (Mt 7:18ff). To bear good fruit, we need to be a good tree. A good tree bears good fruit naturally. But how can we be a good tree? Jesus gave us the secret during the last Supper. In another agricultural image, he tells us that to bear fruit we must remain in Him. Listen to him with fresh ears: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. … Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. … My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples” (Jn 15:1ff). We have to remain in Christ to bear good fruit. Lent 2019 is a gift of time from the Lord so that we might become the type of tree that will bear much fruit, not just out of fear of judgment, not just so that we won’t be cut down, but out of love for God who loves us and has given us everything we need to bear fruit. As we approach Christ in the Eucharist, we thank Him for all his blessings — for our baptism, for the privilege to receive his body and blood in the Eucharist, for his forgiveness in confession, and for his great hope in us that we will bear fruit — but especially for giving us more time this Lent, which may be our last, to be fruitful. In the Mass, he is fertilizing the soil so that we might in-deed bear ever greater fruit. Through the graces we’re about to receive, may we always remain in Christ and, after this Mass, go in peace to bear fruit with Him that will last into eternal life. Cyril of Alexandria says that Jesus is… “the gardener of our souls. He constantly prunes away whatever is harmful and fills us with rational and holy seeds so we may produce fruits for him.” -Fr. Roger J. Landry Diocese of Fall River