Announcements

Moses discusses the power God has displayed in freeing his people from oppression and leading them to a rich land. He tells the people that they should make offerings to God to show their gratitude, and then celebrate over the great things he has given them.

Paul tells us that if we proclaim, “Jesus is Lord” and truly believe that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. For God shows his mercy toward everyone who calls upon his name.

Jesus fasted in the desert for forty days, then Satan appeared to him and tempted him to turn stone into bread. After Jesus refused, Satan promised him great powers if Jesus would worship him. Jesus replied that he would worship God and no one else. Then Satan tried to persuade Jesus to put God to the test, but again Jesus resisted his temptation.

SUPPORT YOUR PARISH

BECOME A BULLETIN BENEFACTOR

It is that time of the year again when we are renewing the list of benefactors for our parish bulletin. This is also a good time and opportunity for you to become a new sponsor for our bulletin.

Donations are $100.00 for the listing throughout the year of your name, or the name of one of your loved ones in remembrance.

If you own a business, or have a friend who owns a business, you may consider putting an ad in our Sunday bulletin. All you have to do is send us your business card and we will do the rest. It is that simple.

Please call the parish office

at (510) 451-1790, Ext. 201.

Today’s first reading describes the offering of first fruits the people of Israel were to present to the Lord in thanksgiving for their deliverance from

Egypt

and the gift of the Promised Land. Is my offering at today’s Mass an appropriate response to the many blessing the Lord has given me?

All are invited to a free monthly program every 2^nd Saturday of each month until August 14 to introduce the Bay Area Manhattan Declaration on the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. Lectures begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by a Mass at 5:00 p.m. and reception at 6:00 p.m.

Ernest Pierucci, Esq., Attorney and Senior Fellow, Catholics for the Common Good, will discuss “Prospects for Marriage and the Family in the Current Legal Environment.

Thank you to all parishioners who supported this year’s Bishop’s Appeal. If you have not made your gift to the Bishop’s Appeal, please consider pledging or making a contribution at this time. The Bishop’s Appeal continues to be necessary because there are needs in the Diocese that cannot be effectively fulfilled by the individual or by the local parish.

Next weekend, February 27 / 28, 2010 the second collection will go to aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. In this part of the world the Church, emerging from 70 years of Communist rule, is vigorously involved in rebuilding the faith of its people. Proceeds from the collection, sponsored by the Bishops of the

United States

, are used for:

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH

Come and join us for fellowship,

enlightenment and mutual encouragement! The Bible Study Group meets every Wednesday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at

Our Lady of Lourdes Library on Boden Way.

For more information please call

Michelle Benki at 510-499-2693

BREAKING DOWN ILLUMINES THE DARKNESS

By Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

When faith arises from the depths of our hopelessness; when we suddenly find forgiveness in a heart filled with resentment; when we discover confidence when fear was about to consume us; this is divine mercy.

Whenever the impossible gift arrives for us, a gift we have neither earned nor deserved, we can do nothing less than rejoice. “By the tender mercy of Our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us.” Luke: 1:78

Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM is a Franciscan priest and Retreat Master at San Damiano Retreat. Over the years Fr. Rusty has facilitated retreats, workshops, and parish missions internationally. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD where he earned his MA in Theology.

March 19 -21, 2010

WORD INTO SILENCE

On this weekend you will experience Scripture passages for Holy Week, (Lectio), followed by silent sitting meditation in the Christian tradition, six meals and daily Liturgy included, plus optional chair massage and spiritual direction.

Spiritual Director: Sr. Barbara Hazzard.

For information and reservation

please call San Damiano Retreat House

at 925-837-9141 or register online www.sandamiano.org

All parishioners are invited to come to our Lenten Prayer Service every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

The Golden Gate Boys Choir, serving the Diocese of Oakland for the past 21 Years, welcome inquires and auditions from boys in Diocesan schools and parishes. Auditions will take place at three different locations from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. offered on the following days:

	Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday Bulletin

First Sunday Of Lent February 21, 2010 First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Moses discusses the power God has displayed in freeing his people from oppression and leading them to a rich land. He tells the people that they should make offerings to God to show their gratitude, and then celebrate over the great things he has given them. Second Reading: Romans 10:8-13 Paul tells us that if we proclaim, “Jesus is Lord” and truly believe that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. For God shows his mercy toward everyone who calls upon his name. Gospel: Luke 4:1-3 Jesus fasted in the desert for forty days, then Satan appeared to him and tempted him to turn stone into bread. After Jesus refused, Satan promised him great powers if Jesus would worship him. Jesus replied that he would worship God and no one else. Then Satan tried to persuade Jesus to put God to the test, but again Jesus resisted his temptation. __________________________________________ *PRAY FOR PEACE* Prayer for Generosity Dear Lord, teach me to be generous; Teach me to serve you as you deserve; To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To toil and not to seek for rest; To labor, and not to ask for any reward – except that of knowing that I am doing your holy will. AMEN. MASS INTENTIONS February 20 - 27, 2010 Sun 9:00 A.M. Rosine Aiello + Sun 11:00 A.M. Timothy Maloney + Mon. 8:00 A.M. For the Intentions of Doris Chin Tue. 8:00 A.M. For the Intentions of Elizabeth Ezekwem Wed. 8:00 A.M. For the Intentions of Elizabeth Ezekwem Fri. 8:00 A.M. For the Intentions of Sue Thompson Sat 5:00 p.m. Kayser (Casey) Rycbacki + __________________________________________________ EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS 5:00 P.M. Elena Bunnell, Tony Elenteny, Nancy Fahey, Sr. Catherine Ginther, Eileen Herrmann 9:00 A.M Raul Gonzales, Mary Liu, Teresa Picchi, Michael Porcher, Bernadette Ritchey Dane Ritchey, Marites Sanders, Sonya Simril 11:00 A.M. Nikiya Arcia, Elisa Davila, Dennis Emmett, Sr. Barbara Hazzard, Allie Holley, Jeanette Louden-Corbett Karen Patterson, Linda Suciu LECTORS 5:00 P.M. Henrietta Harthorne, Michelle Benki 9:00 A.M. Matthew Webb, Beverly Harrison 11:00 A.M. Erin Tribble, Rosaline Kiang BREAD BAKER Elisa Davila SUPPORT YOUR PARISH BECOME A BULLETIN BENEFACTOR It is that time of the year again when we are renewing the list of benefactors for our parish bulletin. This is also a good time and opportunity for you to become a new sponsor for our bulletin. Donations are $100.00 for the listing throughout the year of your name, or the name of one of your loved ones in remembrance. If you own a business, or have a friend who owns a business, you may consider putting an ad in our Sunday bulletin. All you have to do is send us your business card and we will do the rest. It is that simple. Please call the parish office at (510) 451-1790, Ext. 201. Stewardship February 21, 2010 (First Sunday of Lent) Today’s first reading describes the offering of first fruits the people of Israel were to present to the Lord in thanksgiving for their deliverance from Egypt and the gift of the Promised Land. Is my offering at today’s Mass an appropriate response to the many blessing the Lord has given me? St. Anthony of Padua Institute Manhattan Forum Lecture Series 2^nd Saturday of each Month through August – 3:00 p.m., at St. Margaret Mary Church, Father Kozina Hall, Oakland. All are invited to a free monthly program every 2^nd Saturday of each month until August 14 to introduce the Bay Area Manhattan Declaration on the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. Lectures begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by a Mass at 5:00 p.m. and reception at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 13 Ernest Pierucci, Esq., Attorney and Senior Fellow, Catholics for the Common Good, will discuss “Prospects for Marriage and the Family in the Current Legal Environment. For more information on the monthly speaker, visit http://www.sapi.org/200912.htm BISHOP’S APPEAL 2010 To Make Christ Better Known. Thank you to all parishioners who supported this year’s Bishop’s Appeal. If you have not made your gift to the Bishop’s Appeal, please consider pledging or making a contribution at this time. The Bishop’s Appeal continues to be necessary because there are needs in the Diocese that cannot be effectively fulfilled by the individual or by the local parish. Our goal for the year 2010 is $14,447.00. *2010 Collection to Aid the Church in* *Central and Eastern Europe* Next weekend, February 27 / 28, 2010 the second collection will go to aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. In this part of the world the Church, emerging from 70 years of Communist rule, is vigorously involved in rebuilding the faith of its people. Proceeds from the collection, sponsored by the Bishops of the United States, are used for: Supporting religious education programs Training seminarians Expanding social ministries Rebuilding churches, convents and schools. Your generosity can help provide the Resources to grow and nourish the faith in this region of the world. BIBLE STUDY GROUP AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH Come and join us for fellowship, enlightenment and mutual encouragement! The Bible Study Group meets every Wednesday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Library on Boden Way. For more information please call Michelle Benki at 510-499-2693 UPCOMING SAN DAMIANO RETREATS BREAKING DOWN ILLUMINES THE DARKNESS By Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy Tuesday, March 16, 2010 When faith arises from the depths of our hopelessness; when we suddenly find forgiveness in a heart filled with resentment; when we discover confidence when fear was about to consume us; this is divine mercy. Whenever the impossible gift arrives for us, a gift we have neither earned nor deserved, we can do nothing less than rejoice. “By the tender mercy of Our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us.” Luke: 1:78 Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM is a Franciscan priest and Retreat Master at San Damiano Retreat. Over the years Fr. Rusty has facilitated retreats, workshops, and parish missions internationally. He attended St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD where he earned his MA in Theology. March 19 -21, 2010 WORD INTO SILENCE On this weekend you will experience Scripture passages for Holy Week, (Lectio), followed by silent sitting meditation in the Christian tradition, six meals and daily Liturgy included, plus optional chair massage and spiritual direction. Spiritual Director: Sr. Barbara Hazzard. For information and reservation please call San Damiano Retreat House at 925-837-9141 or register online www.sandamiano.org LENTEN PRAYER SERVICE All parishioners are invited to come to our Lenten Prayer Service every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. February 24, 2010 The Man Born Blind March 3, 2010 The Woman at the Well March 10, 2010 The Raising of Lazarus Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers The Golden Gate Boys Choir, serving the Diocese of Oakland for the past 21 Years, welcome inquires and auditions from boys in Diocesan schools and parishes. Auditions will take place at three different locations from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. offered on the following days: Tuesday: St. Phillip Neri Church, Alameda Wednesday: Our Lady of Lourdes Church Thursdays: All Saints Church, Hayward For more information please call 510-887-4311 or visit www.ggbc.org