Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 15, 2015
Readings: Lv 13:1-2. 44-46; 1 Cor 10:31—11:1; Mk 1:40-45
The Deacon’s Speakin’
Dear Friends,
The following is an excerpt from “Why We Fast during Lent”
(23rd Publications):
“One of the best biblical descriptions of the meaning of fasting is provided by the
prophet Isaiah. Speaking through the prophet, God says:
`Is such the fast that I chose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a
bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not the fast that I chose: to lose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let
the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover them, and not to
hide yourself from your own kin?` (Isaiah 58:5-7)
In this passage God doesn’t speak of helping the poor in general, but specifically helping
the oppressed: those who are poor, not because of misfortune but because they are the
victims of injustice. This teaching about fasting is a call to eliminate the injustice that
causes their hunger rather than simply feed them. God demands not merely mercy, but
a rooting out of injustice and a repairing of its effects. There is quite a difference
between our being charitable to others and our making reparation.
This means that the message God speaks through Isaiah is not a general admonition:
“Don’t perform external rituals of worship like fasting; instead help the needy.” Rather,
Isaiah’s message is far more pointed: Do not fast as acts of mourning over the harm
your sins have done others; instead undo the harm. Do not just be sorry for your sins;
feel sorrow for and empathize with those your sins have hurt, and repair the effects of
your sins in their lives. Do not think that afflicting yourself with hunger is the penance
God assigns for inflicting hunger on others; your appropriate penance is to feed them.
Mourn for your individual and collective sins of injustice by practicing justice. That is a
fast acceptable to God---a fast that consists of doing rather than abstaining.
Both Isaiah and Jesus teach us that the best way to mourn for our sins is to undo their
harmful effects. That is what Lent is all about. Jesus reminds us that our fasting is not
to be seen by others, but by God (Mt 6:18). What type of fasting will God see us practice
this Lent?
Welcome to Lent
Deacon John
Mission Statement
St. Paul Catholic Newman Center is a Catholic parish committed to serving the spiritual needs of
college/university students, faculty and all other people who freely choose to be part of our parish family. Gathered
together by the Spirit and seeking God’s will in our lives, we dedicate ourselves to bringing the transformative
power of Christ into the world we know through worship, education, service and support.
Digital Library
The books in our Sergio Negro Library will be available online
in the near future, thanks to the efforts of Steven
Colagiovanni. However, we are in need of volunteers to do
some computer data entry. If you would like to volunteer,
please contact Luci Supino at 287-4369 or
[email protected].
Newman Center Young Adults
We are kicking off our first session of Theology on Tap
discussing Confession! Join us with our speaker, Fr. Dave, to
talk about how it feels being on the other side of
the screen, how the Sacrament of Reconciliation
is very misunderstood, and how much more
important it is to repent and ask for mercy during
Lent. Join us for dinner at 6:00pm followed by our
speaker at 7:00pm at Me N’ Ed’s Coney Island in
River Park.
This Friday we will be hosting Eucharistic
Adoration in the Chapel from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. If you can
volunteer your time please contact [email protected].
High School Youth Group
High School Youth Group will meet Sunday,
February 22, in St. John XXIII Youth Center
from 5:00pm to 6:30pm for a game of
Jeopardy! Bring a friend and join in on the fun!
Cookie Sale - Women’s Guild
This weekend, after each Mass, the Women's Guild will be
selling beautifully boxed homemade Valentine Cookies. With
each box you will receive a handmade valentine card created
by one of our members.
For only $15 a box you can buy one for a loved one, a friend,
the family or for yourself. You will also be supporting the
Women's Guild in their effort to raise money for their Spring
retreat. Thank you for your support.
Grief Support
The Grief Support group will begin its spring session on
Monday, March 2 at 7:00pm in the Community Room. We will
be meeting for five Mondays. Please join us in processing the
loss of loved ones. If you know of people who might benefit
from this support, please tell them about us. For any
questions, please contact the coordinator Michelle Kilner at
970-3640.
C.C.C. - Collection
Thank you for your generosity in last week’s Collection for
the Catholic Communication Campaign. Because of your
support, millions of faithful will have the opportunity to
deepen their faith through daily resources on the Internet,
television, and radio, and in print media. Remember, half of
your donations are staying in our diocese to support local
communication needs. To learn more about the important
work supported by this collection, please visit www.usccb.org
(search “Catholic Communication Campaign”).
Family Life Ministry
Men’s Morning Scripture Study Group meets
Tuesdays from 7:30am to 8:15am after 7:00am Mass in
the Community Room.
Meditation Opportunities
Christian Meditation meets Thursday mornings from
11:15am to 12:15pm in CNH104. Facilitated by Benita
Lankford.
Evening Meditation meets Wednesday evenings,
7:00pm to 8:00pm in CNH104. Facilitated by Veena
Kapoor.
Tai Chi for ArthritisTuesday & Thursday mornings.
Beginner’s class: 9:00am to 10:00am; Regular class:
10:15am to 11:15am. CNH103. Instructor: Art Lopez.
Tai Chi: Thursday evening Tai Chi classes are held on
Thursday evenings, 5:30pm to 6:30pm in CNH102-103.
$20 registration fee.
Contact John Prandini [email protected]
College Ministries
Ash Wednesday Mass at Fresno State Bishop
Armando Ochoa will be joining us on campus for Ash
Wednesday Mass this Wednesday, February 18, at noon
in the Satellite Student Union. Plan to join us for a simple
meal after Mass.
College Night meets Wednesdays, 6:00pm
to 8:00pm in Cardinal Newman Hall. All
college students are welcome to join us for a
delicious home-cooked dinner (it’s free!)
followed by a discussion, guest speaker,
service project, or other activity. On February 18, we will
serve a meatless dinner in Cardinal Newman Hall 101
after the 6:00pm Ash Wednesday mass.
College/Young Adult Bible Study meets Mondays,
7:00pm to 8:30pm, in the Annex. Join us for prayer and
discussion of the Sunday readings and how to make
your faith more a part of your daily life!
Catholic Conversations on Campus
Join our weekly discussion group on Fresno State
campus, USU 310, Thursdays at 11:30am. Students,
faculty, and staff are all invited. Feel free to bring your
lunch!
EMMAUS
Our after-Mass discussion group for college students
meets Sundays from 8:00pm to 8:30pm in the Annex
(east side of the main building by the carport). Make
new friends and challenge yourself to live out the
message of the Gospel!
Contact: Karey Spach, Director of Campus Ministry,
[email protected]
Weekly Calendar
Prayers
Sunday, February 15
Lv 13:1-2. 44-46; 1 Cor 10:31—11:1; Mk 1:40-45
Women’s Guild Bake Sale
7:30am Mass for Marie Hurt
Chapel
9:00am Mass for Pamela Canales
Chapel
4:45pm High School Confirmation Class
CNH
8:00pm Emmaus
Annex
+ For those who have died:
This Week: Richard Goulart (Ashlyn Walker’s
Grandfather)
Monday, February 16
Presidents’ Day - Office Closed
8:00am Mass for Steve Mark Cash
Gn 4:1-15, 25; Mk 8:11-13
Chapel
Tuesday, February 17
Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10; Mk 8:14-21
7:00am Mass Intention For rain
Chapel
7:30am Men’s Morning Scripture Study
Community Room
9:00am Beginning Tai Chi for Arthritis
CNH 102-103
10:15am Tai Chi for Arthritis
CNH 102-103
6:00pm Faith, Family & Friends
Chapel
6:00pm College Confirmation
Annex
6:15pm Penance Service
Chapel
Wednesday, February 18
Jl 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20—6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
7:00am Mass with distribution of ashes
Chapel
12:15pm Liturgy of the Word with ashes
Chapel
5:30pm Scriptural Rosary
Community Room
6:00pm Mass with distribution of ashes
Chapel
6:00pm Prayer & Life Workshop
CNH 105
7:00pm Evening Meditation
CNH 104
7:00pm College Night
CNH 101
Thursday, February 19
7:00am Mass for Rosario Berman
9:00am Beginning Tai Chi for Arthritis
9:30am Morning Scripture Study
10:00am Giometti Funeral
10:15am Tai Chi for Arthritis
11:00am Christian Meditation
5:30pm Tai Chi
Dt 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25
Chapel
CNH 102-103
Cafeteria
Chapel
CNH 102-103
CNH 104
CNH 102-103
Friday, February 20
7:00am Communion Service
6:00pm Food Recovery Network
6:00pm Eucharistic Adoration
7:00pm Stations of the Cross
Is 58:1-9a; Mt 9:14-15
Saturday, February 21
8:00am Secular Franciscans
9:00am Advanced Tai Chi
5:00pm Mass for Rose Barretto
Is 58:9b-14; Lk 5:27-32
Chapel
Cafeteria
Chapel
Chapel
Chapel
St. John XXIII
Chapel
Sunday, February 22
Gn 9:8-15; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15
Knights of Columbus Breakfast
7:30am For deceased DeVechhio Family members Chapel
9:00am Mass for William Terhaar
Chapel
3:00pm Igbo Mass
Chapel
5:00pm High School Confirmation Class
CNH
8:00pm Emmaus
Annex
Mass Intentions: Matt Lehman, Marie
Hurt, Pamela Canales
+ Please pray for healing of our loved ones who
are ill…
Richard Caglia, Steve & Debbie Strope,
Dorothy Finn, Jon & Rick Faulkner, Tom Langa,
Dominic Valdez, Laura Ostler, Infant Marco
Abenoja Garza, Alice Lopez, Annette Harbinger,
Frank Borges, Sam VanderDussen, David Carroll,
Jim Tudman, Gianna Magnone, Luz Elower (mother
of Mark), Ollie Mae & Tom Godburn, Robby
Klimaytis, Ernie Lee, Jennifer McClain, Don
Casperson, Kenny Smith, Cathleen DiMaggio,
Horace Spann, Kyle Springer
Faith, Family & Friends
Pre-Lenten Penitential Service
This Tuesday, Feb. 17th you are invited to participate
in our FF&F Pre-Lenten Penitential Prayer Service
with Private Individual Confession available for
those wishing to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. Confession will not be held from
4:00pm to 5:00pm this Tuesday.
Families and friends are invited to eat their preordered pizza or their own food with family & friends
from 5:30pm to 6:00pm in Cardinal Newman Hall
before we move as a group to the Chapel for the
Penitential Service.
The Penitential Prayer Service will begin at
6:15PM in the Chapel.
Children who have not yet received the Sacrament of
Reconciliation will attend their normal age specific
classes that will begin at 6:15PM. All others will go to
the Chapel to take part in the Penitential Prayer
Service.
Mardi Gras
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Mardi
Gras dinner and made it such a successful event!
Thanks to your generosity our total net profit was
$20,000. Thank you again and God bless you!
Sunday Contributions
Feb. 7 - Feb. 8 Contributions:
Jan. Total Contributions:
Monthly Sunday Contributions Goal:
Total Fiscal Year (July-January):
$11,997
$43,181
$50,000
$356,310
Presidents’ Day Holiday
Filoli Gardens Bus Trip
In observance of Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16, our
The Newman Center Women's Guild is
morning Mass will be at 8:00am. The Newman Center will be closed sponsoring a day trip to the fabulous Filoli
for the holiday.
Gardens in Woodside (near San Mateo). All
members of our parish are invited to join us. A
limited number of seats are available. The date is
Thursday, April 16th! Bus leaves Newman Center
As part of our Faith, Family & Friends evening on Tuesday, February at 6:30am and returns to Newman Center at
17, St. Paul Catholic Newman Center will host a Service of
6:30pm. Tickets go on sale the weekend of
Reconciliation with individual celebration of the Sacrament available. February 21 & 22 after Mass. Cost: $60 per
Seven priests will be present in our chapel at 6:15pm on this eve of person (This includes the entrance to the
Ash Wednesday to help us get started on our Lenten season of
gardens)
renewal and celebration of God’s mercy. All are welcome, whether
Questions: JuDee Peterson 261-0526 or Mickey Lord
part of FF&F or not, to share in this service of prayer, scripture and
313-1275.
reflection, and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation if needed. No
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held from 4:00pm to 5:00pm that
day.
Penance Service
Listening Session
The Newman Center is driven and led by you, its parishioners, and
we need your input! The Pastoral Council of St. Paul Catholic
Newman Center announces a series of 15 “Listening Sessions”
designed to give voice to all suggestions, interests, and concerns
regarding the mission, vision and goals of this church community.
We invite you to actively participate in at least one of the upcoming
“Listening Sessions” in order to help shape the future of your parish.
Pastoral Council Members:
- Robert Lippert
- Kim Meyer
- Camillo Prandini
- Andrea Ricci
- Vic Telles
- Steve Toon

Feb. 21st after the 5:00pm Mass in the Cafeteria

Feb. 22nd after the 7:30am, 9:00am, & 11:00am Masses in St.
John XXIII Youth Center

Feb. 22nd after the 7:00pm Mass in the Cafeteria

Feb. 24th during Faith, Family & Friends in Cardinal Newman
Hall at 6:30pm
- One session with adults
- One session with junior high & high school students

Feb. 25th with the College Student Association in Cardinal
Newman Hall at 6:00pm

Feb. 26th with the Young Adult Group in the Fr. Sergio Negro
Library at 6:30pm

Feb. 28th after the 5pm Mass in the Cafeteria

Mar. 1st after the 7:30am, 9:00am, & 11:00am Masses in St.
John XXIII Youth Center

Mar. 1st with the Confirmation Class in St. John XXIII Youth
Center at 5:15pm

Mar. 1st after the 7:00pm Mass in the Cafeteria
Our Lady of Victory
Catholic School
Kindergarten Orientation
This is an informational meeting for anyone
interested in enrolling a child in Kindergarten for
the 2015-16 school year.
The orientation will take place on Thursday,
February 19 at 6:00pm in the Kindergarten
Classroom. Our Lady of Victory School is located
on 1626 W. Princeton Avenue Fresno 93705
For more information: 229-0205 or
[email protected]
Parish Profiles
The St. Paul Catholic Newman Center parish will
once again be highlighted in an episode of Parish
Profiles, along side St. Joachim in Madera. Tune
in Monday February 16 at 8:30pm or Friday the
20th at 11:30am. Check your cable provider for
the correct channel number for KNXT.
Year of Consecrated Life
In 2013, Pope Francis declared that a Year of
Consecrated Life (YCL) be celebrated throughout
the world. YCL began on the First Sunday of
Advent, November 30, 2014 and will close on the
World Day of Consecrated Life, February 2, 2016.
Our Diocese of Fresno, to celebrate YCL, has
created a Vocations Prayer Calendar listing each
month the names of priests, religious, deacons
and seminarians. They are grouped in two for
each day. We ask you to pray for those who are
already in the consecrated service of the Church.
We also want to encourage discernment & prayer
for vocations.
February 15-21:
Sr. Clara Borregon RCM, Sr. Rosa Maria
Branco,FHIC, Dcn. Trinidad Guadarrama, Dcn.
Jesus Hernandez, Fr. James Kudill, Fr. Israel
Avila, Sr. Cristina Caballero RSM, Sr. Maria
Campuzano IMAP, Dcn. Manuel Lababit, Dcn.
Henry Medina, Sem. Juan Maldonado, Sem.
Season of Lent