OUR MINISTRY OF PRAYER

Please remember in prayer the intentions written in our Book of Prayer located in each Church and the Parish Center entrance area. We also remember those persons who have requested prayers through the prayer chain.

Also, please remember the following parishioners in prayer: Dorothy Burkard, Diane Carty, Denise Ferguson, Ethel Fitzgerald, Doris Glass, Bernard Kelly, Sr., Tom Kennedy, Jeanette Massena, Thelma Michael, Patrick Miller, Dolores Munafo, John Ohler, Charles Putman, Mary Reckley, Diane Shockey, Margaret Smith, Mildred Smith, Aaron Solich, Fr. Leo Tittler, Jim Wivell, Sr., Mary Wivell and Bev Zienda.

Mother’s Day Spiritual Bouquet cards are available in the back of the churches. On Mother’s Day, May 11th, the Masses will be celebrated for the intentions received.

FOR PRAYER REQUESTS

please call the Parish Office at (301) 447-2367 or Linda McCauley at (301) 271-7561.

SEMINARIAN COLLECTION

The annual seminarian collection is scheduled for May 3/4, 2008.  You may remember a couple of weeks ago when Br. Jeff Jurchak spoke to our parishes regarding his vocation to religious life and priesthood. This is the only collection throughout the year that supports the archdiocese’s effort to form and educate men to become priests.  We will also share some of the collection with Br. Jeff towards his seminary education. All money collected goes directly to educational costs related to seminary formation.  Each seminarian is formed pastorally, humanly, intellectually, and spiritually to serve the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  It costs around $30,000.00 a year to educate 1 seminarian.  The Archdiocese of Baltimore has 27 seminarians bringing total educational costs to close to $1 million dollars.  Please be generous as these men are formed to serve our church in the future.  This is one investment that will provide years of returns.

FLOWERS for ST. ANTHONY’S

Anyone who would like to put flowers on the altars for a particular weekend in honor of a loved one or to celebrate an anniversary, please call the Parish Office at (301) 447-2367 to set a date. Vases are available to use if you wish.

WHEELCHAIR NEEDED

If you have a folding wheelchair that you do not need, we would like to have one in St. Anthony’s church to make available to people who may need to use one when they come to Church. Please call the parish office if you would like to donate a wheelchair. Thank you.

FIRST COMMUNION

We pray for God’s blessings on these children who are celebrating their First Eucharist this weekend: Rocco Patrick, Justin Reaver, Nicholas Reaver, Jarryd Rosenberry, Kimberly Shields and Noah Wivell.

^S_M^A_C YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited to SMAC!   the Middle School Youth Ministry. Come and bring a friend.  For information, contact Mike at (301) 271-9871.

HELP US CARRY THE TUNE

Music is an important part of our liturgical celebrations. From the beginning of the church (and even before) music provided a way to worship and praise God. The Psalms were originally songs that the Hebrews used in their liturgical celebrations. At this time we are looking for folks who play the organ or piano who would be willing to donate their time and talent once a month, or more if you wish, to play at Mass. If you are interested and can help, please contact Barbara at 301-447-2367.

EMMITSBURG FOOD BANK

The Emmitsburg Food Bank is low on several items. St. Anthony’s is specifically asked to donate pastas and spaghetti sauces. Other donations are also accepted and appreciated. Thank you for your continued support of our local Food Bank.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The First Social Night of our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Anthony Shrine Council #11975 of the Knights of Columbus celebrated the Recognition of Past Grand Knights with 40 guests in attendance at the Cozy Restaurant on April 9, 2008. The recipients were: John Hawkins, Walter Kovalchek, Allan Sanders, Ken Allen, and Sanford McGuire.

The Grand Knight announced that the Council will have two meeting nights a month. The 1st Tuesday of the month will be to conduct council business. The 3rd Tuesday will be our Social Night and families are invited to attend and join our activities.

Membership recruitment is open to practicing Catholics from age 18 and older. For information please call Ken Allen, Membership Director at 301-271-4762.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• May 5 – Eucharistic Mini-Retreat – 7pm OLMC
• May 6 – Bring Your Own Craft – 1 pm SASH
• May 13 – Liturgical Ministers Mtg– 7pm OLMC
• May 13 – Respect Life Co. Mtg. – 7 pm SAUH
• May 18 – Confirmation Mass – 11 am OLMC

PEACE & SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE - an education and action ministry

MAY

13th  Respect Life committee meeting at 7 pm in the SAS upper hall. Please consider joining us in this important ministry!

To volunteer or participate in any activities, please contact Deacon John Hawkins at (301) 271-2194 or JHawkins@archbalt.org.

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” John 15:12

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FROM BARBARA . . .

Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. Many of us remember when this was a separate celebration on a Thursday. About 5 years ago, the bishops of the United States decided to move the celebration to the 7th Sunday of Easter (the week before Pentecost). Churches in many other countries had already moved the feast. The fact that it was moved on the calendar does nothing to our understanding of the Ascension. Jesus goes back to his place with the God the Father having completed his part of God’s mission on earth. And before he leaves, Matthew recounts in the Gospel that he commissions the disciples to continue to “make disciples of all nations.” By extension, we too are blessed by this mission and have the responsibility of continuing it. We aren’t alone in this mission. We have our family of faith who is on the journey with us and who shares this same mission. Take time this week to recognize who is with you on mission and how you support others.

It seems like a long time ago but I’m just now being able to process our experience at the youth rally with Pope Benedict XVI. It was amazing! I can’t even put it into words. In the bulletin this week is a flyer with reflections from the young people. I hope that you find it helpful in understanding how this opportunity impacted all who attended. I can tell you that while it was a long grueling day, being with our young parishioners and sharing this experience with them was an enlightening moment for me. I was caught up in the logistics of getting it all taken care of and making sure that everyone was safe. Hearing their thoughts and ideas following the event helped me to see beyond all of that and to recognize the presence of God that was truly wonderful. I want to thank them for giving me that insight. I also want to thank all of you for your support both financially and spiritually so that we could make this opportunity possible.

Next week is Pentecost. If you can, wear red to church so that we can all witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Also, the following week, May 18 we will be celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation with 27 of our teens and Bishop Malooly at the 11:00 Mass. I had the opportunity to interview all of the candidates. Once again, I am struck by their faith and their insight into what we believe as a faith community. Keep them all in your prayers as they come down the home stretch of their initiation into our Church.

May God continue to bless us all. Alleluia, alleluia.

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FAMILY FUN DAY

The Archdiocese is sponsoring a Family Fun Day for persons with developmental disabilities, their families and friends on Saturday, May 31st from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Msgr. O’Dwyer Retreat Center. There will be entertainment, music, games, arts and crafts, prizes, snacks and admission is FREE. For more information contact Bill Fleming at (410) 547-5410 or wfleming@archbalt.org.