St. Matthew Parish 19 Dora Lane, Limerick, Maine 04048-3527

Tel. 207-793-2244 Website: www.stmatthewlimerick.org

Email: StMatthew@portlanddiocese.org Diocese of Portland Diocesan website: www.portlanddiocese.org

We welcome you to the Catholic Community of St. Matthew and the celebration of the Eucharist.

ST. MATTHEW PARISH STAFF:

V. Rev. Wilfred Labbe, Pastor

V. Rev. Jack Dickinson, Parochial Vicar

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, Pastoral Associate

Heather Silva, Administrative Assistant

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, P.C.L.

Deacon Paul Lissandrello Altar Server Coord.

Gail Libby, Music Director, 207-423-5998

FINANCE COMMISSION:

Kevin LaFreniere

Theressa Harrigan

LaurieJane Kelley

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:

Jon DiCentes, Grand Knight, 247-8875

BIRTHPLACE HELPLINE:

Abortion Alternatives/Project Rachel,

1-800-227-3002

WEEKEND MASSES:

Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

WEEKDAY MASSES:

8:00 a.m. - Monday Prayer Service

8:00 a.m. - Tuesday*, Thursday*, Friday*

7:30 a.m. - Wednesday* *Check weekly bulletin for possible time changes.

BAPTISMS: Parents who want to have their child(ren) baptized are

asked to please call the parish office (793-2244).

WEDDINGS: Anyone planning to get married must call the parish

office at least SIX MONTHS PRIOR to the proposed wedding date.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday at 3:00 p.m., AND ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT.

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to St. Matthew Parish. Please fill out the Par-

ish Membership Form below and drop it in the collec-tion basket or mail to the parish office.

DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: 324-1802 or 1-800-239-7298

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN: www.portlanddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children

We joyfully welcome back to the Church any of our brothers and sisters who may have been away. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Name ______________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City _______________________________________________ Zip Code ___________________________________________ Phone No.___________________________________________ Email Address________________________________________ Check _____New Registration _____Updating Info. _____Change of Address _____Moving out of Parish

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEKEND (May 9 & 10)

Saturday 4:30 p.m. Robert & Gail Mercer by The Snyder Family

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Myron Francis by Mark & Debbie Francis

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

Monday Miraculous Medal Novena & 8:00 a.m. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Maurice Lamontagne by Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Petit

Wednesday 8:00 a.m. Joseph Cote By Constance Cote

Thursday 8:00 a.m. Mr. & Mrs. Real Leveille by the Legere Family

Friday 8:00 a.m. Rev. James Donovan by Constance Cote

MASS INTENTIONS NEXT WEEKEND (May 16 & 17)

Saturday 4:30 p.m. Thomas & Kathleen Hennessey by the Family

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Kennedy & Good Win Families by Vincent & Liz Kennedy

Readings for the Week of May 10, 2020

Sunday: Acts 6:1-7/Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 [22]/1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12 Monday: Acts 14:5-18/Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 [1ab]/Jn 14:21-26 Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28/Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 [cf. 12]/Jn 14:27-31a Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 [cf. 1]/Jn 15:1-8 Thursday: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5- 6, 7-8 [8]/Jn 15:9-17 Friday: Acts 15:22-31/Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12 [10a]/Jn 15:12-17 Saturday: Acts 16:1-10/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5 [2a]/ Jn :18-21 Next Sunday:Acts 8:5-8, 14-17/Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 [1]/1 Pt 3:15-18/Jn 14:15-21

Would you like to have the Sanctuary Lamp burn in the church for your loved one? There is a list in the Narthex you can sign up for the weeks you want.

Donations of $10 for 7 Days and $20 for 14 Days.

Sanctuary Lamp burning:

May 5—25 - Kenneth Gagne

St. Matthew Church Limerick

TODAY FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER. THE READINGS BEGIN ON PAGE 91 OF THE MISSALETTE.

Pastor’s Pondering

C.S. Lewis made the observation that, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance; and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” My simplified explanation of this holy man’s observation is that, faith is not something we can dabble in. It is not something we can participate in halfheartedly. If we are in, then we must be all in.

During these days of confusion and crisis it may be hard to set priorities. Many of us are working from home, schooling at home, and trying to live the rest of our lives at home. After seven weeks of trying to maintain some sense of order, many of us have given into just settling for what so many are calling the new nor-mal. What this looks like may be different in every home, but we can be sure that at this point many of us are resigned to whatever happens happens.

This sadly is true about our faith life. We have become complacent with watching Mass on Facebook and allowing this to be the extent of the practice of our faith. We have allowed the prac-tice of our faith to become moderately important. We may not have done this intentionally, but with all the other things that have been foisted upon us it is becoming harder and harder to keep all the priorities in order. It is harder and harder to accomplish all the things we have to do and all the things we want to do.

So how are we to grow our faith in these trying times? I think we all have an idea of how we are to do this, but it is good to be reminded from time to time. It is good to hear how to keep our faith life healthy in the midst of hearing over and over how best to avoid the covid virus.

As you have heard from Fr. Jack and me, prayer is the key. If we want to be close to those we love the most, then we have to spend time with them. We have to talk with them, we have to share our ideas, our fears, our hopes, our needs with them. We have to listen to their ideas and hopes. Prayer, talking and listening to God, is how we grow our faith. Prayer is how we place ourselves in the presence of God no matter what is going on in our lives.

Gratitude is another way we make our faith a priority. When we are grateful for what looks on the surface like sacrifice and suffering, we learn to be grateful for anything. Gratitude is fodder for joy and joy is the mark of living life to its fullest. We remember that Jesus tells us that he came that we might have life and have it in abundance. Gratitude helps us to live this reality.

Following Jesus’ command to love is a way to live the infinite importance of our faith. When we grow weary of being with the same people day in and day out, when we grow tired of having demand after demand put upon us loving others may not be our first thought. When it seems that others have it better than us or are able to do things we cannot do, it can become easy to be envi-ous of others. The bottom line is that a crisis like the one that is our reality today, can make it hard to love as Jesus calls us to love. We read in scripture that it is impossible for us to love the God we can-not see if we are unable to love the brother or sister who is right in front of us. Loving our neighbor when it is difficult may be one of the hardest ways we seek to grow our faith, but it is one of the sur-est ways to follow Jesus who in word and deed seeks always to show us the way to a deeper faith by loving God, neighbor, and self.

Prayer, gratitude, and love are the tools we need not only to survive the current crisis but to grow in faith and hope. These tools will draw us closer to Jesus and will help us to be pa-tient in doing the will of God. The bottom line is that if we wish to flourish in this crisis and in every situation, we cannot simply dab-ble in our faith. Instead we must be all in, we must make our rela-tionship with Jesus a top priority, and our faith must be of infinite importance.

~Fr. Bill

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Church is OPEN from 10-2 Monday-Friday beginning 05/11/20.

This is for private prayer and will not be holding Adoration.

Protocols MUST BE FOLLOWED:

• Mask must be worn.

• Those who enter the church must sanitize hands before and after visit.

• Visitors are responsible for sanitizing their seat before and after visit.

• Visitors from different households must maintain social distancing of 6 feet or more.

• To ensure all who wish to visit may, visits are limited to 30 minutes.

• Only 10 people may be in the church at any time.

• Only one entrance and exit will be used.

• People who are ill, coughing, fever, or other symptoms should refrain from visiting and may be asked to leave

MASSES TO RESUME MAY 13TH Limit 10 people

Protocols

• Online or phone sign up first come first serve.

• Only St Matthew Parishioners will be allowed to sign up.

• If not connected to internet may call office between 1-3 for sign up for first available Mass.

• Two slots for each Mass will be reserved for phone only sign in.

• May sign up for Mass once every two weeks to ensure as many as possible may attend.

• Mask must be worn.

• Those who enter the church must sanitize hands before and after visit.

• Visitors are responsible for sanitizing their seat before and after visit.

• Only one entrance and exit will be used.

• Visitors from different households must maintain social distancing of 6 feet or more.

• People who are ill, coughing, fever, or other symptoms should refrain from visiting and may be asked to leave.

Sign Up can be found at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4DABAA2CA1F85-stmatthew PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE FIND OUR WAY THROUGH THIS NEW WAY OF PRACTICING OUR FAITH.

St. Matthew Church

Weekly Facebook LIVE

Saturday: 4:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM

Monday: Prayer serv. 8:00 AM

Tuesday—Friday: 8:00 AM*

*Subject to change video will be available for 24hrs after LIVE post

Confessions will be heard during the following:

Saturdays 3-4pm

As always, appointments can be arranged outside of this time. Please call the office at 793-2244 for more

information.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH FOOD PANTRY

THE PANTRY SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

1st Monday of the month: 6-7pm EVERY Tuesday 10am-12pm

**Serving residents of Limerick, Newfield, Parsonsfield or parishioners.

St. Matthew Food Pantry is always in need of a few items they have a hard time purchasing from Good Shepherd. Would you be willing to donate these items? A collection container can be found in the Narthex under the tables.

Pasta Hamburger Helper* Condiments* Canned Meat Spaghetti Sauce* Chef Boyardee* Jelly & Jams* Soups Cereal* Oatmeal* Canned Veggies Mac & Cheese Crackers* Granola Bars* Fruit Snacks*

Bread & Eggs are always useful, if you can drop during pantry hours.

*These items we tend to have a shortage of.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Plastic & paper bags are needed for the Food Pantry. You may leave them in the narthex in the Food Pantry bin.

PARISH FINANCES Amount needed weekly to operate parish $ 4,200.00 Offertory 5/3/20 $ 2,804.00 WeShare 4/22/20-4/28/20 $ 1,874.50 MAY 2020 OFFERTORY $ 4,678.50 ABOVE MAY Offertory Goal $ 478.50

WHAT SHALL I BRING TO THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, WHEN I COME TO WORSHIP HIM? - Micah 6:6

PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO SUPPORT OUR PAR-ISH IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME. Our parish op-erates solely on your donations. You may mail your do-nations, drop them in the white box by the office door or go online and make your donations that way. Our

online giving site can be found at: https://stmatthewlimerick.weshareonline.org/

The St. Matthew Food Pantry is remaining open, but will do pantry to go. We would like you to remain in your car, volunteers will be on the look out and direct you where you should go. Food will be brought out to you by a volunteer. If you are unable to get to the pan-try, please call the office and we will make delivery plans with you, 793-2244.

HOME BOUND: If you are home bound and unable to go to the store for necessary items, please call the office, 793-2244. We have people willing to do your shopping for you and deliver to your home.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM “PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN”

In the interest of children’s safety, we ask that children not be allowed to leave Mass to use the restrooms downstairs, unless they are accom-panied by an adult. Because we are a public building, doors are required to be unlocked, allowing entrance to all.

May 10, 2020

Please include the following priests serving in our diocese in your daily prayers this week:

May 10 Our Holy Father May 11 Rev. Anthony K Chinnalyan HGN/Rev. Kyle L Doustou May 12 Msgr. Paul F. Stefanko/Rev. Fredrick H Morse May 13 Rev. Patrick E Agbodi SMA/Rev. Prabu N Magimaidass HGN,A.M.

May 14 Rev. Donald Gagne SM/Rev. Selvaraj Kasi HGN May 15 V. Rev. Wilfred P. Labbe/Rev. Normand P Richard May 16 Rev. Frank J Murray/Rev. Benedict O faneye OP May 17 Bishop Joseph J. Gerry OSB

Dear Mother, cover them with your maternal mantle and hold them in your Immaculate Heart.

“Who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and far greater than these.: Are you being called to do the work of the Lord as a priest, deacon, sister or brother? If you are considering this possi-bility, call Father Seamus Griesbach at (207) 773-6471 or write: seamus.griesbach@portlanddiocese.org

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR ORDINARY MOMENTS

Witnesses for Jesus

This journey of faith is not always easy. Sometimes the greatest wounds are those we suffer when family members and friends wander away from God and leave us behind. The faith they had when they were younger is now strained, or they see the daily walking with Jesus to be too difficult. For them, Jesus becomes what Peter wrote about when he described Jesus as the stone that causes people to stumble and the rock that makes them fall. Our journey is hard enough, but watching a loved one stumble and fall is heart-breaking. What are we to do in such a situation? Most importantly, we pray. We must realize that God is more powerful than us, and even if we can’t make them see the truth, He can. Then we witness to the transformative power of Jesus by our own lives. We need to serve him in word and deed. We should let a joy of being a disciple enlighten our faces. Allow Jesus to work through us so that others may be drawn to him. Lastly, we must never lose hope. Many have walked long journeys alone only to find God far down the road. What will it take to bring someone to Christ? It might be an action, a word, or an emotion. We never know how certain people will be touched. That loved one is a gift from God in your life. Place them back in God’s hands, and let Him pick them up if they have stumbled and fallen. —Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS ©LPi

All parish events and activities have been cancelled with the exception of Mass and Confession. Please check the website, or our Facebook page frequently for updated information. We are holding online LIVE Masses through Facebook. These can find out our website.

May 10, 2020