CLERGY CORNER

March 17th, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

As we celebrate this Fifth Sunday of Lent, we enter what is sometimes referred to as Passiontide, the final weeks of Lent. The Roman Missal contains two special Prefaces to the Eucharistic Prayer that are typically used only in Passiontide (although they can be used in other Masses focusing on the Cross). The first is used for the fifth week of Lent, the second used only on Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week. These two prayers are short, powerful and theologically profound.

In this message, I’d like to focus on the first of these special prefaces. After the usual introduction to a preface in which we proclaim it is right and just, our duty and our salvation to give God thanks, the first of these prefaces continues:

For through the saving passion of your Son the whole world has received a heart to confess the infinite power of your majesty, since by the wonderous power of the Cross your judgment on the world is now revealed and the authority of Christ crucified. (Preface I of the Passion of the Lord: The Power of the Cross)

I particularly love the opening phrase that emphasizes that Christ’s Passion is a matter of the heart. His Passion is meant to transform our hearts that we might confess God’s infinite majesty. For Christ’s Passion is a matter of God’s own heart – it is the loving heart of Christ pierced on the Cross that speaks to our own hearts and renews our spirits.

The use of the word passion is so appropriate. The Latin word “passio” has multiple meanings. The first is “suffering.” Jesus indeed suffered, and suffered terribly. His suffering was physical, for the tortures inflicted upon him as well as the crucifixion itself were excruciating (the etymology of that English word comes from the cross). But his Passion also involved intense spiritual suffering as the one betrayed, denied, abandoned, slandered, reviled, and mocked as he carried the weight of the sins of the world. The Latin word “passio” also means intense, overwhelming emotion, and we speak of Christ’s passion because of his intense, passionate love for us. It was this dimension of Christ’s passio that motivated that sacrificial self-gift. He underwent his Passion out of his Passion. The Cross manifests that God is passionately in love with us!

The Preface continues by emphasizing that the Cross reveals God’s judgment on the world and the authority of Christ crucified. Yes, the Cross is terrible – precisely because sin is horrendous. God rightly judges and condemns evil. If we had to stand on our own merits, we would be lost. But while God rightly condemns sin, God’s judgment does not end there. The authority of Christ crucified transcends pure justice with the infinite merciful justice of God. How amazing! The word authority is particularly potent here. The authority of Jesus comes not from smiting his crucifiers. He would have had every right to do so. As St. Paul says, the real authority of Christ, the fullness of his power and glory, comes from his willingness to let go of his divine prerogatives and empty himself. He was obedient even unto death (Philippians 2:5-11). As we contemplate Christ on the Cross – weak, reviled, in agony, cold and dead, seemingly defeated by his enemies – we appreciate that God’s ways are not our ways. Christ’s authority and glory are a matter of selfsacrificial love!

Jesus, you were lifted up from the earth to draw everyone to yourself, may we be grains of wheat who bear much fruit. Mary, Mother, obedient to God’s will, help us to follow your Son always.

Father Craig

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Bulletins

WHAT'S NEW AT OLPH

Fridays, March 15 and 22; Mondays, March 11 and 18

STATIONS OF THE CROSS “Take up your cross and follow me.” The Stations of the Cross are a wonderful devotion helping us to respond to this invitation of Jesus. The Stations were first celebrated by pilgrims to Jerusalem and later this devotion spread throughout the Christian world. During Lent we celebrate the Stations of the Cross at the following times: Fridays, March 15 and 22 --6:00 p.m. (English – Friday Adoration will conclude with simple Benediction at 5:45 p.m.) --6:45 p.m. (Spanish) Mondays, March 11 and 18 --2:00 p.m. (sponsored by our parish school) For those unable to participate at one of these times, feel free to drop by the church and make the Stations on your own either indoors or outdoors. This is a wonderful devotion that you can also celebrate at home simply by focusing on a crucifix and either reflecting on the fourteen traditional stations or by reading passages from the passion stories of the Gospels and taking a few moments to reflect on the Lord’s sacrifice made for us. We are blessed to have our outdoor Stations of the Cross. They have recently been enhance with flagstones and gravel on the path and additional benches. Near the First Station you will find a post that has flyers with a simple version of the Stations printed in both English and Spanish.

Monday, March 18, at St. Clare’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Kateri’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, here at OLPH, 7:00 p.m.

PLAN AHEAD: PENANCE SERVICES FOR LENT As we engage in our Lenten journey of repentance and renewal, we will have the wonderful opportunity to experience the love and mercy of Christ in the Sacrament of Penance. It was on the very day of his Resurrection that Jesus entrusted to his apostles the mission of forgiving sins and we continue to benefit from this Sacrament of Mercy. In addition to our regularly scheduled times for confession, we have the blessing of having three Penance Services with many extra confessors available that are scheduled here in the Santa Clarita Valley. Monday, March 18, at St. Clare’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Kateri’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, here at OLPH, 7:00 p.m. We will have fifteen confessors available on Wednesday evening here at OLPH, many of whom are bi-lingual. Perhaps sharing in one of these services is just the special grace the Lord has for you in this Lent. Please plan ahead and mark your calendars to take advantage of these services.

Friday, March 22, 4:40 p.m. at OLPH Church

FRIDAY OF SORROWS (FRIDAY BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY) Join Father Luther, the Bilingual Divine Mercy Ministry and the Legion of Mary on Friday, March 22, Friday of Sorrows. We will meet at 4:40 p.m. at OLPH Church to pray and meditate on the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of the Holy Virgin Mary concluding with Eucharistic Benediction at 5:40 p.m.

Saturday, April 27

Baby Shower OLPH Family Circle is hosting their 24th Annual Baby Shower on Saturday, April 27. We sponsor expectant women and new moms from our SCV community in need of help preparing for their new baby. If you would like to donate baby supplies to support these moms who chose life for their babies, please see the Family Circle Booth following Masses the weekend of April 13/14 to pledge a gift. For more information, to donate large items, or to volunteer with the shower please contact Karen Ruballo (661) 260-1642.

See text for dates

Make Confetti Eggs for the BBQ Come make confetti eggs for the annual parish BBQ in the Church Hall from 7:00-8:00 pm on the following dates: Tuesday, February 13, Tuesday, March 12, Tuesday, April 16, Tuesday, May 21, Tuesday, June 11, Tuesday, July 23, Tuesday, August 13, Tuesday, September 10. Contact Cheri Whelan at 661-904-6027 if you have any questions. Thank you!

Monday, March 18, at St. Clare’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Kateri’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, here at OLPH, 7:00 p.m.

PLAN AHEAD: PENANCE SERVICES FOR LENT As we engage in our Lenten journey of repentance and renewal, we will have the wonderful opportunity to experience the love and mercy of Christ in the Sacrament of Penance. It was on the very day of his Resurrection that Jesus entrusted to his apostles the mission of forgiving sins and we continue to benefit from this Sacrament of Mercy. In addition to our regularly scheduled times for confession, we have the blessing of having three Penance Services with many extra confessors available that are scheduled here in the Santa Clarita Valley. Monday, March 18, at St. Clare’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at St. Kateri’s Parish, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, here at OLPH, 7:00 p.m. We will have fifteen confessors available on Wednesday evening here at OLPH, many of whom are bi-lingual. Perhaps sharing in one of these services is just the special grace the Lord has for you in this Lent. Please plan ahead and mark your calendars to take advantage of these services.

Ongoing

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS GOLF TOURNAMENT The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus is holding a Golf Tournament in May to benefit Veterans Organization. Please contact Francisco Gomez at 818-233-3498 for dates and more information.

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. or Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

GOSPEL HANGOUT IS BACK! Bishop David O'Connell is one of the founders of Gospel Hangout, he states. “Gospel Reflection Process as part of parish life. This is the best way I know to build spiritual unity among our people". Gospel hangout is reading the gospel for the upcoming weekend, mediation on it, and giving your own perception on what it is telling you in your life now. This is not a bible study. If you're curious and just want to come and try it out, here are the times and below. Join us via Zoom. Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. ID:823-8035-7703 or Fridays at 9:30 a.m. ID:810-5591-6586 zoom password for both sessions: ourlady. Any questions call Darlene at 661-254-8584.

Ongoing

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS OLPH School is now accepting applications for TK thru 8th grade for the school year beginning August 2024. OLPH upholds the legacy of a rigorous Catholic education emphasizing the four pillars of Faith, Academics, Discipline and Leadership. Our dedicated and committed faculty consists of credentialed teachers, many of whom hold master’s degrees in Education. Reading is paramount across all grades with even our transitional kindergarten students reading by the second semester. In junior high students engage in classic literature exploring plot concepts, themes and character development. OLPH takes pride in a strong math and science program – 8th grade students graduate prepared to tackle Geometry in the 9th grade. For more detailed information, we invite you to check out our website (www.olphsc.org) where applications are available, too. If this educational approach interests you, please feel free to call us 661-259-1141 to schedule a tour.

ONGOING

CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION CONTINUES TO BE OPEN! Registration is still open for first year students for Confirmation. Confirmation is a two-year program. Students must be entering 9th grade or higher in the fall. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish. Please see the OLPH website >Education>Confirmation Program Youth> for registration links. Registration information for second year students has been emailed or texted. If you need further assistance, please contact the Confirmation office at 661-382-9501.

ONGOING

Legion of Mary The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members, developed by prayer and service. The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself. We meet weekly on Mondays at 6pm. Pray the rosary together and discuss what works we have done the previous week(evangelizing, home visitations,etc.). We welcome men and women practicing Catholics with love and respect. Please call Darlene at 661-254-8584

First Saturday of the month

TRI-PARISH SINGLE, DIVORCED AND WIDOWED SUPPORT GROUP You are invited to the meeting of the Tri-Parish SDW Support Group at the Pastoral Center of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 23045 Lyons Avenue on Thursday, March 2nd, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (park behind the Pastoral Center). Please call Jocelyn at 259-4104 or Julia at 259-3901. Our purpose is to support and help our fellow Christians in time of need.

First Saturday of the month

Veteran's Prayer Ministry at OLPH The Veteran’s Prayer Ministry meet every first Saturday of the month at 12:00 noon to pray the Rosary for our Veterans at the Veterans Wall at Eternal Valley in Newhall. This is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our love and respect for our Veterans.

ONGOING

THE HEALING HANDS PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRYThe Healing Hands Prayer Shawl Ministry crochets shawls for those in need of physical, emotional or spiritual healing. They are a tangible way to feel God's peace, presence and love. The shawls have been blessed and are considered Sacramentals. If you or someone you know would like to have a Prayer Shawl, please contact Cristy Ropp at 661-799-7802.

ONGOING

WISH LIST- STAINED GLASS REPAIR The response to our wish list requests for assistance in restoring the most distressed panels of our stained glass has been heartwarming. As you have noticed, the broken stained-glass window of the Empty Tomb on Easter morning has already been restored and reinstalled in the northeast entry door of the church. We are hoping to restore some of the panels on four other windows that need significant attention (the St. Clare, Annunciation, Nativity and Baptism of Jesus windows). So far, we have received $7,010 toward the total of $10,600 needed for their restoration. Given this generous response, we have signed the contract to start the work on the St. Clare window (located in the vestibule facing Lyons, originally a gift from Mary Becker and Family) and the Nativity window (on the east side, second from the back, originally donated in memory of Joseph Curtin). We hope that work may begin in the next few weeks. We are hoping that some additional parishioners might be willing to contribute to the restoration of the Annunciation and Baptism of Jesus windows. We would appreciate any donations, large or small, for this purpose. To assist in this project, make your check out to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church with “stained glass” in the memo line, and give that either to Father Craig or Deacon Terry. For further information, please call one of them at the Pastoral Center (661) 259-2276. Thank you.

PARISH INFORMATION

Church Address
23233 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Pastoral Center

23045 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
p: 661.259.2276 | f: 661.259.1873
info@olphscv.org
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

SCHEDULE

Mass
Mon-Fri. Livestream Mass:
7:00am
Mon-Fri. Mass:
8:15am

Saturday Livestream Mass:
8:00am
Vigil Mass:
4:30pm

Sunday Masses:
7:00am, 8:45am, 10:30am (Livestreamed), 12:15pm (Spanish and Livestreamed), 4:00pm, 5:45pm (Spanish)


Confessions
Saturday
8:45 am - 10:00 am & 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm