St. Helen Roman Catholic Parish - Oracle
66 E. Maplewood St.
Oracle, AZ 85623-6148
Phone: (520) 896-2708
FAX: (520) 896-2631
Visit our Website:
http://www.sthelenparishoracle.org
To add, change or contribute information for the
website please contact the Parish Office at
St. Helen’s e-mail address:
sthelensmission@msn.com
FEBRUARY 21, 2016
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Ambrose O. Nwohu.…………………………………………………………………………..520-896-2708
Parish Secretary& Compliance Representative: GloriaAcosta ……………………………………………………520-896-2708
Parish Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday……………………………………………..…..…………….…..………….9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Priest: Tuesday - Friday…………….…..………………………………………………….9:30 a.m. - 12 noon & 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Director of Religious Education: Mary Telles: Wednesday………………………………………………………..520-896-2708
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday (Mass of Anticipation)……………………………………………………….……...…………………………….5 p.m.
Sunday………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………….8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
Monday thru Friday……...……………….…………………………………………..............................................................8 a.m.
First Friday of the Month Anointing of the Sick and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament…………………………......8 a.m.
All Holy Days of Obligation………………………………………..……………………........................................9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Pray the Rosary…………………………………………………………………..…………………….1/2 hour before each Mass
Parish Board of Directors
Rev. Msgr. Ambrose O. Nwohu, President
Manuel Navarro, Treasurer
Carmen Trejo, Secretary
Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, D.D.
Rev. Msgr. Jeremiah McCarthy
Jubilee Year of Mercy
********SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION*********
Marriage Preparation
Diocesan regulations require
that you see a priest at least
four months before your
wedding date.
Baptismal Preparation
Please call for arrangements at least two
months prior to the date of Baptism.
Baptisms are scheduled for the third
weekend of each month.
Reconciliation/Confession
Saturday from
4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Any other time by appointment.
Second Sunday of Lent
February 21, 2016
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
— Psalm 27:1
WE ARE TO BE TRANSFORMED
Today’s showing forth of God’s glory is filled with a light that astonishes and reveals.
Jesus transfigured on Mount Tabor energizes even the sleepy apostles, who see but cannot
get hold of it. They can be forgiven for not apprehending the full meaning of this
extraordinary vision of a transfigured Jesus with Elijah and Moses. The whole of the Law
and prophets is summed up here on this mountain.
The transfiguration on Mount Tabor is handed over to us this Sunday. As Paul reminds
us, it is we who are to be transformed. The light and life of the Resurrection are set forth
here so we do not lose heart and fall entirely asleep. This Sunday looks to Easter. It looks
to transformation. It asks us to lift up our heads and acknowledge the risen Lord as our
light and our salvation.
Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
Deadline for bulletin announcements is 2 p.m. on Tuesday
MASS INTENTIONS
Offered for our beloved dead as well as our living ones.
May the souls of our faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Sunday, February 21, 2016 - 10 a.m. – +Fermin Rosales by Family
+Fermin Rosales –– by Family
VOCATIONS CRUCIFIX
At each Mass, the family taking the crucifix should designate
another family to carry the crucifix home the following week.
Please return the crucifix before the beginning of each Mass.
INFANT BAPTISMS
Instructions for infant Baptisms are on the first and third Thursday of
the month (after initial registration) at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Hall.
It is mandatory that parents and Godparents attend.
Sanctuary Lamp
2/13 & 2/14, 2016
February 2016
Parish Offertory – $904.00
Ash Wednesday - $266.00
2015
Thank you and God bless you for your generosity.
Please stop by the parish office to reserve dates for the Sanctuary
Lamp. The Sanctuary Lamp may be reserved by more than one
person for the same dates.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
Ill and/or homebound: Bruce Robertson, Chet Kubeczko, Anita Moreno, Tom & Carmen Garcia, Cataleeya (Clara) Sandoval (infant),,Veronica
Lozano-Myers, Rico Guerrero, James Davis, Dora Chavez, Lynne Cunningham, Tony T. Diaz, Sammy Pacheco, Felix Marquez, Corina Diaz,
Mollie Clark, Hailey (Candelaria) Lugo, Madison Harper, Michael Hilimire, Bea Marquez, Carol Lemus, John Hughes
Our Service Men & Women:
Nathan Jackson, Manny Navarro, David Navarro, Theo Gordon-Martin, Kendall Cordoba
Faithful Departed: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them
Please help keep our prayer list current. To add or remove a name from the prayer list, please call the parish office. In
order to ensure an updated prayer list, names will be listed for two months and then removed.
Bishop Kicanas’ Monday Morning Memo is an informative update on events taking place in the diocese and what the bishop’s busy schedule
consists of each week. You can read the weekly memo by visiting the diocesan website; www.diocesetucson.org or by requesting a copy from St.
Helen Parish Office. If you have something you want to publicize in the bishop’s memo, please e-mail it to bishop@diocesetucson.org or send it
to his attention c/o Monday Memo at the Pastoral Center, 111 S. Church Avenue, P.O. Box 31, Tucson, AZ 85702.
FEBRUARY 2016 CALENDAR
Every First Friday – 8 a.m.- Anointing of the Sick and Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament
Holy Days of Obligation – Masses 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Adult Formation (Scripture) Classes with Msgr. Ambrose – Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
Choir Practice – Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Our Lady’s Prayer Group – Thursdays after 8 a.m. Mass
Finance Committee – Every 3rd Thursday – 6:30 p.m.
Parish Council – As announced
Liturgy Committee – As announced
Second collection for Building Fund - Every first weekend of the
month . Parish Maintenance Second Collection six times/year.
St. Helen Offices & Ministries
Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson – Ellie Brown
896-3530
Finance Council Chairperson – Manny Navarro
896-2469
Compliance Representative – Gloria Acosta
896-2708
Liturgy/Bereavement - Mary Buzan
730-8929
Choir Director – Ellie Brown
896-3530
Sacristan/Altar Servers – Tony Telles
896-9031
Religious Education
Gr. 1&2
Debbie Gutierrez
896-2711
Mary Buzan
730-8929
Maria Martinez
896-2142
Gr. 4,5,6
Margo & Paige Padilla
241-4793
Gr. 7&8
Allison Lapa
896-2148
Phyllis David
896-3169
Confirmation Class Mary & Tony Telles
896-9031
Social Justice – Mary Ellen Kazda
896-2955
St. Helen’s Food Bank – Helen Alvarez
404-4817
Knights of Columbus – Johnnie Seballos
896-2589
Cursillo Movement Leaders – Mary & Tony Telles
896-9031
Adult Catechesis – Msgr. Ambrose O. Nwohu
896-2708
Kitchen
 Angels
Church Cleaning/Furnishings/Environmental Design (Volunteers needed)
Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To welcome the stranger
To heal the sick
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead
Spiritual Works of Mercy
To counsel the doubtful
To instruct the ignorant
To admonish sinners
To comfort the afflicted
To forgive offences
To bear patiently with those who do us ill
To pray for the living and the dead
The YEAR OF MERCY Let us Feed the Hungry
Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, will
celebrate a Mass honoring and thanking those involved in
the corporal work of mercy TO FEED THE HUNGRY. The
Mass will be celebrated in Tucson, Monday, February 22,
2016 at 10:00 AM at the Community Food Bank, 3003 S
Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ 85713 All are welcome!
Pope Francis has proclaimed this year as the Year of
Mercy. There are a number of families in our community
and in our own parish who desperately need our help.
Our food pantry needs supplies of non-perishable food
items. If you know of any family who needs help please
call 896-2540. All information will be held strictly
confidential. Monetary donations also gratefully
accepted.
V0
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR
SUNDAY MORNING SOCIALS
2016 SECOND COLLECTIONS (*Diocesan)
February 20 & 21 – Parish Maintenance
March 5 & 6 – St. Helen Building Fund
March 19 & 20 – Holy Land Collection
Thank You!
Envelopes for
PARISH special
collections in the rack
back of the church.
Scripture Classes with Msgr. Ambrose every Tuesday, at 7
p.m. in the Parish Hall. All adults welcome.
Liturgy and Lenten Class
Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall
Msgr. Ambrose will facilitate the class. All Eucharistic
Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Catechists and anyone
interested in learning about or helping in these ministries
are encouraged to attend.
Stations of the Cross
Every Friday at 7 p.m. during Lent
2016 LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES
Thursday, March 3 – St. Philip, Payson – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9 – St. Helen, Oracle - 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 10 – St. Francis, Superior– 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15 – Holy Angels, Globe – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16 – Infant Jesus of Prague, Kearny – 7 p.m.
2016 Annual Catholic Appeal
Boundless Mercy:
Received, Now Given
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has made a
commitment to the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal. To date
ten of our parish families have already responded.
However, we need the support of all members of the
parish if we are to be successful in reaching our parish goal
of $8,820.00.
If you have not yet responded to the 2016 Annual Catholic
Appeal, please do so at this time using the ACA envelopes
available in the church pews.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
“The Catechist is one who guards the memory of God and who
knows how to awaken it in others.” --Pope Francis
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — The Lord made a covenant with his faithful servant,
Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land” (Genesis 15:512, 17-18).
Psalm — The Lord is my light and my salvation
(Psalm 27).
Second Reading — We await the Lord Jesus, who will change us to
conform with his glorified body (Philippians 3:17 — 4:1 [3:20 — 4:1]).
Gospel — Peter, James, and John witness the transfiguration of Jesus
on the mountain
(Luke 9:28b-36).
The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6; Mt 16:13-19
Tuesday:
Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12
Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28
Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31
Friday:
Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21;
Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Sunday:
Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; Ps 103:1-4, 6-8, 11;
1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9
Alternate readings (Year A):
Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8;
Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday:
Second Sunday of Lent
Monday:
The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle; today’s feast, attested as early as the mid-fourth century, has its
roots in the commemoration of dead relatives and friends celebrated in Rome between 13-22
February. At this commemoration, a chair was left empty for particular deceased persons. Since the
actual date of Peter’s death was unknown, it came to be commemorated on 21 Feb., eventually
celetrating his taking pastoral responsibility of the Church of Rome.
Washington’s Birthday
Tuesday:
St. Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr; died c. 155 at age eighty-six; disciple of St. John and bishop of
Smyrma; his Letter to the Philippians witnesses to various New Testament writings; the Martyrdom
of Polycarp records his being burned at the state; one of the first martyrs to be venerated.
Friday:
Abstinence
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
The treasures of our tradition can often be traced to one source, but like the waters of a river branching out on its
way to the sea, are received differently as they filter through various cultures and customs. Long ago, mostly because
of the preparation of candidates for baptism, the annual feast of the Lord’s death and resurrection was preceded by a
period of preparation. In the West that comes to us as Lent, a word drawn from the Old English word for springtime,
referring to the lengthening hours of sunlight in this hemisphere.
In the East, the tradition of preparing for Easter is received as “Great Lent,” to distinguish it from a secondary
“Lent” preceding Christmas, and a two-week period, a kind of “pre-Lent,” that gradually introduces the faithful to the
austerities of Great Lent. One of the major differences between East and West is in the vigor of the Lenten fast. In
Great Lent the customs of fast and abstinence are far more strict than we are accustomed to. For us, meat is off our
Lenten tables on Friday, but in the East, meat disappears from the diet completely, along with dairy products.
—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
Diocese of Tucson
… employment opportunities at the Diocese
The following are employment opportunities currently available in the Diocese of Tucson.
To view the job descriptions and information on how to apply, persons interested should refer to
www.diocesetucson.org (Employment Opportunities).
Diocese of Tucson Pastoral Center:
 Diocese of Tucson Department of Catholic Schools, Tucson AZ. – Health Services Coordinator
 Catholic Foundation for Stewardship and Charitable Giving, Tucson, AZ – Executive Director
 Office of the Chancellor, Tucson, AZ – Administrative Assistant
Schools & Parishes:
Schools:

St. Ambrose Catholic School, Tucson, AZ:
o Teachers, Grades K-5
o Mathematics Teacher, Grades 6-8
 St. Cyril Of Alexandria Catholic School, Tucson, AZ
o Teacher, Social Studies and Science
o Teacher, Social Studies and Writing
o Teacher, Middle School Language Arts
o Teacher, Physical Education (Part-Time)
 Saints Peter and Paul School, Tucson, AZ – Teacher, 4th Grade
 St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Casa Grande – Information Technology Technician
 St. Ambrose Catholic School, Tucson, AZ – Teachers, K-5
Other Organizations
 Reachout Women’s Center, Tucson, AZ – Executive Director
RETROUVAILLE & MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER RETREAT NOTICES
Thirteen Families say Thank You!
This is just a short note to say Thank You! The Retrouvaille Weekend held in Tucson and completed Sunday,
January 10th was attended by 13 couples. That’s 13 families who now have a fighting chance.
February 20-21, 2016
Just as Peter, John and James experienced the Transformation of Jesus, let Jesus transform your marriage. The next
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are in Phoenix on April 22-24 and in Tucson on May 27-29. For all other
dates and more information visit www.wwmearizona.com (Para los fines de semana en español, por favor visite
www.emm14.org)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jubilee Year of Mercy
February 21, 2016
Second Sunday of Lent
Many icons depicting Jesus’ transfiguration bear the Greek title Metamorphosis, a technical term also for
nature’s springtime transformation. Fittingly, this Jubilee Year of Mercy coincides with the Lectionary’s Year of
Luke, for only Luke specifies Moses and Elijah speaking about Jesus’ “exodus that he was going to accomplish in
Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). Israel’s exodus liberated from slavery; Jesus’ exodus liberates from sin’s living death of
selfishness. Pope Francis suggests that Lent’s prayer, fasting, and works of charity can transfigure the world, if
Christians translate Isaiah’s challenge into our daily lived experience of Jesus’ life-giving exodus by releasing those
bound unjustly, setting free the oppressed, sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and homeless
into your house, clothing the naked, not turning your back on your own. “If you remove from your midst oppression,
and malicious speech . . . then light shall rise for you in the darkness . . . you shall be like a watered garden, like a
spring whose water never fails” (Isaiah 58:9, 10, 11).
—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.