St. John the Baptist, Bartolomé González y Serrano, 1621

“ I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

TheEasterVigilMassSaturdayMarch 318:30PM

Saint Cecilia ParishMarch 18, 2018

ALTAR GUILD Ron Case, 399-9331, rwmsc@yahoo.com ANNULMENTSJoe Fondacaro, 871-5757 ext. 222,jfondacaro@eastsideregion.orgBAPTISMS Barb Browarsky, 871-5757, ext. 202BEREAVEMENT Barb Browarsky, 871-5757, ext. 202BOOSTERSMatt Weisenborn, Athletic Directormweisenborn@stceciliacincinnati.orgBULLETIN Barbara Browarsky, 871-5757, ext. 202bbrowarsky@stceciliacincinnati.orgCOMMUNICATIONS Steve Sullivan, steveco@fuse.netCUB SCOUTS Jeff Krietemeyer, 324-6497DAY OF ADORATION Carolyn Peddicord, 254-2623, carolynfpeddicord@gmail.comEUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & LECTORS Dave Rosselot, 396-6022FESTIVAL Doug & Joy Kornish Dkornish@cinci.rr.com, Jkornish@cinci.rr.comFLEA MARKET Anita & Carl Dalessandro, anitacarl@fuse.netFOCCUS MARRIAGE PREP Susan Kellison, suekellison13@gmail.comGIFT BEARERS TBDGIRL SCOUTS Sharon Krietemeyer,jskrietemeyer@hotmail.comGREETERS TBD

GYM SCHEDULING Matt Springer, 871-5757, ext. 204mspringer@eastsideregion.org HOME DISTRIBUTORS/VISITS Fr. Jamie Weber, 871-5757, ext. 201HOSPITALITY Emily Adams, eeadams1018@gmail.com LEGION OF MARY Barbara Browarsky, 871-5757, ext. 202MOMS GROUP Holly Hemak, moms@stceciliacincinnati.org

OAKLEY FOOD PANTRY & COMMUNITY DINNER Stan Messerly, 731-2500PASTORAL COUNCIL Jason Hemak, 919-3491RESPECT LIFE GROUP Brigid McLinden Duffy, 379-0821, bswartz@fuse.netPTO Patricia Donnelly & Renee Dawson, 533-6060SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Fr. Jamie Weber, 871-5757, ext. 201ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Tom McNally, 871-5757, ext. 203WEDDING COORDINATOR Marta Misleh, 871-5757, ext. 207 mmisleh@stceciliacincinnati.org

WEDDING RESERVATION Bob Kellison, 871-5757, ext. 208 bkellison@stceciliacincinnati.orgWELCOME COMMITTEE Angela Egner, (413) 854-7253, angelaegner15@gmail.comWORSHIP COMMISSION Mark Milliron, mmilliron501@gmail.comYOUNG ADULT MINISTRY Sarah Rose Sperduto, 871-5757, ext. 218 ssperduto@stceciliacincinnati.org

WEEKEND MASSES: Sat. 4 PM & Sun. 8 & 10 AMDAILY MASSES: Mon.-Sat. 9 AM, Wed. 6:45 AMTHE ROSARY: Mon.-Sat. 8:40 AMDAILY COMMUNION SERVICE: Mon.-Sat. 8 AMHOLY DAY MASSES: 9 AM, 12:10 PM & 5:30 PMLATIN MASSES: Tues. 9 AM CONFESSIONS: Mon.-Sat. 9:30 AM, Wed. 7:05-7:15 AM and 7:05-7:50 PM, Sat. 3-3:30 PM, Sun. 7-7:30 AM and 9-9:30 AMADORATION: Wed. 9:30 AM-8 PMHOLY HOUR: Wed. 7-8 PMSTATIONS OF THE CROSS: Fri. 9:30 AM BAPTISMAL PREPARATION: Please register for your baptism at www.stceciliacincinnati.org under the Sacraments tab. You can also select your class dates there.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR ST. MARGARET-ST. JOHN: Mon.-Fri. 11:45 AM, Sat. 3 PM, Sun. 9 & 11 AMMASS SCHEDULE FOR ST. ANTHONY: Sun. 8:30 & 11:30 AM

MONDAY, MARCH 198:00 AM Communion Service9:00 AM All Deceased Members of Boylan Family by Mary Lou

TUESDAY, MARCH 20 8:00 AM Communion Service 9:00 AM Special Intentions of Flavian Becker by Mom & Bill

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 6:45 AM Intentions of St. Cecilia Families 8:00 AM Communion Service 9:00 AM Special Intentions of Lorraine Downing by Barbara & Jim Momper 9:30 AM Eucharist Adoration (9:30 AM-8 PM) Holy Hour 7-8 PM with Confessions until 7:50 PM

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 8:00 AM Communion Service 9:00 AM Special Intentions of Claire Wilger by Peggy & Bill Jackson

FRIDAY, MARCH 23 8:00 AM Communion Service 9:00 AM Special Intentions of Jane & Don Gardner by Peggy & Bill Jackson

SATURDAY, MARCH 24 8:00 AM Communion Service 9:00 AM Special Intentions of Bill & Sue Butler by Susan & John Tew 4:00 PM The Tighe Family by Henry & Marilyn Klein

SUNDAY, MARCH 25 (Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord)

8:00 AM Intentions of St. Cecilia Families 10:00 AM Special Intentions of Mary Ann Brennan by Peggy & Bill Jackson

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3105 Madison RoadCincinnati, OH 45209(513) 871-5757www.stceciliacincinnati.org www.facebook.com/stceciliacincinnati

PARISH STAFFRev. Jamie Weber, Pastor 871-5757, ext. 201 / jweber@eastsideregion.orgRev. Jason Williams, Parochial Vicar 871-5757, ext. 205 / jwilliams@eastsideregion.orgBarb Browarsky, Rectory Secretary 871-5757, ext. 202 / bbrowarsky@stceciliacincinnati.orgCody Egner, Regional Dir. of Religious Ed. 871-5757, ext. 215 / cegner@eastsideregion.org Don Franer, Regional Facilities Manager 968-5089 / dfraner@eastsideregion.org Mike Goedde, School Principal 533-6060 / mgoedde@stceciliacincinnati.orgRobert Kellison, Music Dir./Stewardship 871-5757, ext. 208 / bkellison@stceciliacincinnati.orgMarta Misleh, Assistant to the Pastor 871-5757, ext. 207 / mmisleh@stceciliacincinnati.orgSarah Rose Sperduto, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry 871-5757, ext. 218 / ssperduto@stceciliacincinnati.org Matt Springer, Reg. Dir. Fin. & Operations 871-5757, ext. 204 / mspringer@eastsideregion.org

P A R I S H O F S A I N T C E C I L I A

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Save the date for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 8, for kids ages 6 and younger in the side church yard. This is strictly BYOB—bring your own basket!

Easter VigilThe beautiful and dramatic Easter Vigil liturgy marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting the rising of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we have the candlelights burning. If you’ve never attended a Vigil Mass, this would be a good year to come and welcome the elect who are entering the Church. They have been preparing to come into the Church, and it is important that you are there to support and congratulate them. You can then go to the reception and meet them and help them feel welcomed into the Church.

This Mass is divided into four parts: During the Lucernar-ium, the new Paschal candle is lit, and we all light our candles from this one light. Then the Exsultet is chanted by Fr. Jason. This is the Glorious Easter song that tells us the meaning of Easter. The second part of the Vigil is the Liturgy of the Word, when we hear the readings that take us from the story of creation to the resurrection. This is followed by the Baptis-mal Liturgy, wherein we renew our baptismal promises and welcome the newly baptized. We then enter the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Mass ends with a glorious hymn.

The Vigil Mass starts at 8:30 PM, when we light our candles from the new fire as darkness falls. Be prepared to stay for 2½ hours, but know that it is well worth it to start off Easter in such a glorious way. I would love to see parishioners there to welcome all the new members of the Church.

Amen? Amen!

T H E C O R N E R

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MAR 182018

A LTA R GU ILD SCHEDU LEFOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 19-25MONDAY 9 AM C. Brereton (Acolyte 1) J. Brown (Acolyte 2)

TUESDAY 9 AMJ. Escobar (Acolyte 1) B. Krietemeyer (Acolyte 2)

WEDNESDAY 9 AM B. S. Dalessandro (Acolyte 1) M. Simon (Acolyte 2)

THURSDAY 9 AM School (Assigned)

FRIDAY 9 AM J. Hilgefort (Acolyte 1) J. Hilgefort (Acolyte 2)

SATURDAY 9 AM C. Behrens (Acolyte 1) E. Reyes-Samano (Acolyte 2)

SATURDAY 4 PM J. Prues (Crucifer) J. Weber (Acolyte 2)

SUNDAY 8 AM C. Brereton (Crucifer) R. Peddicord (Acolyte 1)

SUNDAY 10 AM J. Donovan (Thurifer) E. Donovan (Crucifer) S. Donovan (Acolyte 1) D. Donovan (Acolyte 2)

COL LECT IONS FOR THE WEEK END ING M ARCH 4Offertory $10,151.00 | Online Sunday $4,393.50 | TOTAL $14,544.50 (plus a onetime 2018 offertory gift $5,000.00)

PALM SUNDAY – MARCH 251 PM Pray the Steps at Holy Cross-Immaculata

Church

TUESDAY – MARCH 267 PM Chrism Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral

WEDNESDAY – MARCH 279:30 AM-2 PM Adoration

HOLY THURSDAY – MARCH 289 AM Morning Prayer with Confessions7 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper,

Confessions following the MassEucharist reserved for prayer until midnight

GOOD FRIDAY – MARCH 299 AM Morning Prayer with Confessions1:30 PM Passion Reading, Veneration of the Cross,

Communion and Stations of the Cross3:30 PM Confessions7 PM Seven Last Words, a choral meditation on

the Passion of Christ

HOLY SATURDAY – MARCH 309 AM Morning Prayer with Confessions3 PM Confessions8:30 PM Easter Vigil Mass

Reception follows in the cafeteria to welcome the newly initiated catechumens and candidates

EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 18 AM, 10 AM & Noon Masses

HOLY W E E K 2 018

You can make an Easter flower donation “In Memory of” or “In Honor of” a family

member or friend. Please use the envelopes provided in your offertory

envelope packet or in the church pews. Your remembrance allows us to provide a

beautiful floral presentation for Easter Sunday and the season following.

E A S T S I D E F A I T H

Credo (I Believe)The Season of Lent, Part III

In the previous two articles, this column has offered a deeper understanding of the Lenten Season through a deeper under-standing of our baptism. The Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) welcomes and draws us into divine passionate love and perfect communion of life. This communion also unites us to all humanity and all creation. Our baptism commits us to sharing this divine love and communion with all. Lent pre-pares us to renew our baptismal promises at Easter.

The Lenten Season is also a season especially for the cate-chumens. Now officially designated as The Elect, Lent is their final time of spiritual preparation before entering into the full sacramental life at the Easter Vigil. The Rite of Christian Initia-tion of Adults designates three Scrutiny Rites as a major com-ponent of their Lenten journey. For the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, we celebrate these “scrutinies” for the elect.

What are the “scrutinies”? The RCIA describes them as “rites for self-searching and repentance and above all a spiri-tual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good. For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temp-tation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.”(#141)

The Catholic faithful are called to walk with the elect in their journey of spiritual cleansing and growth. Through the ancient penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and charitable works, we search our own hearts and souls for those areas of darkness still in need of God’s bountiful mercy and healing. As the elect pray that their sins and weaknesses be removed to embrace the life of faith, so we make the same journey, removing any spiritual darkness in our own lives. At Easter the whole Church stands renewed in the waters and the promises of baptism for our salvation and the salvation of the world.

“Love righteousness, you who judge the

earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and

seek him in integrity of the heart.”

– Wisdom 1:1

A Gospel Reflection by Father Jason Williams

JOHN 12 :20-33

“If a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit.”

When confronted with the reality of the sacrifice of laying down

his life, Jesus was troubled, as the Gospel tells us today. He was

also troubled in Bethany when he saw the tomb in which his

friend Lazarus was buried, having died a few days beforehand.

The thought of dying is hard for all of us to bear because the

gift of life that God has given us — despite its challenges and the

difficulties we each encounter in the years we have — is very

good, just as God declared in the beginning. Jesus is profoundly

aware of the goodness of life, of the beauty of life as it was

intended to be by God. It is only because he knows its true value

— the infinite value of every single human life — that Jesus is so

troubled when confronted with death, be it his own or that of

someone else.

Death wasn’t part of God’s plan, neither were sickness,

disasters, or the other sufferings that we endure. All of these are

the consequence of sin; namely, the sin of our human pride that

chooses itself over God. Jesus calls us to task in these final weeks

of Lent to root out that pride, source of all sin, and put in its

place a deeper attachment to him: the grain of wheat must fall to

the ground and die if it is to produce fruit. What does that

symbolize if not our death to self? That kind of self-sacrifice is

challenging, but it is possible if we believe in the fruits that come

when we disappear so that Christ can live in us.

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Becoming C AT H O L I C

Seeking faith? Curious about the Church?

Want to learn more? Call us today at 513-871-5757, ext. 215.

Be a man. What it means to be a true Christian man in today’s society.

The 2018 Catholic Men’s Conference on April 28 at The Taft Theatre

Speakers include: Father Mitch Pacwa, Father Larry Richards, Bas Rutten, and Coach Gerry Faust.

Visit CincinnatiMensConference.com for more info and to purchase tickets.

E A S T S I D E F A I T HMAR 18

2018

Pensamientos EvangélicosTú nos enseñas, Jesús, que debemos morir a nosotros mismos para dar fruto para el mundo.

Dame la fuerza para hacerlo.“You teach us, Jesus, that we must die to self in order to bear fruit for the world. Give me the strength to do so.”

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SUSAN PALMERFavorite Bible Verse: “When the bow

appears in the clouds, I will see it and

remember the everlasting covenant

between God and every living creation;

every mortal being that is on earth.”

– Genesis 9:16

Favorite Saint: St. Francis of Assisi

Why Do You Want to Become Catholic: My RCIA journey began with my desire for a

greater communion with God. I really like that the Catholic

Church is universal and built on such a strong foundation.

I’m excited to join the worldwide community of the Church.

I have been attending Mass here at St. Cecilia for two years

and felt the timing was right to begin RCIA.

RCIA: Meet Your Catechumens & Candidates

Banquet for LifePregnancy Center East will be hosting our Banquet For Life the evening of Thursday, April 19, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Cincinnati. The keynote speaker is Michelle Malkin, political commentator and best-selling author. This fundraising dinner supports the Center’s mission to offer women life-giving alter-

natives to abortion. Follow-up care includes single-parent support, material assistance, mentoring and post-abortion healing. Chastity education is provided for local Catholic schools. Tickets are $75 each for adults, and $50 each for guests under 21 years of age. For reservation information, call 513-321-3100, or go online at www.SupportPCE.com.

Love your faith even more. Sacred Heart Radio. 89.5 FM & 740 AM

Candlelight MassThursday, March 22, at 7 PM

Join us afterwards at The Pub at Rookwood Mews

seven last wordsTenebrae Service at St. Cecilia CHURCHGood Friday-March 30 at 7 pm A meditation on the Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross with scripture and musical settings by Frank, Gounod, DuBois, Bach and Pergolesi sung by the St. Cecilia Choir and soloists.

BONUS FISH FRY! we’re squeezing in one more. Friday, march 23 in the St.cecilia cafeteria. 4-7:30PM.

PA S T O R ’ S R A M B L I N G S

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CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: On Saturday, March 3, 700 women converged on Mason, Ohio, for the annual conference of Catholic women (photo 1). It was a great confer-ence, and many women from our pastoral region took advantage of the great day prepared for them. The women were treated to renowned national and local speakers, including our own Msgr. Lane. All the talks can be purchased via the Greater Cincinnati Catholic Women’s conference website. 1 PULPIT: As part of the renovation of the floor, we are getting new liturgical furnishings, i.e., a pulpit, baptismal font, and altar, some of which are recycled from another church. Recently Msgr. Lane and I went to Cleveland to pick up a pulpit (photo 2) at a church goods shop that deals in old church items. Special thanks to Courtesy Automo-tive, who gave us a very nice truck for the day to do the hauling. 1 FLOOR PROGRESS: As you are aware, we have uncovered a more-than-salvageable marble floor (photo 3) in the sanctuary that was hidden under the carpeting that was put down years ago. While we did not have much hope that the floor would be presentable, we have now found out otherwise, and we can indeed repair and restore this floor. One of our contractors estimated that if we tried to put this exact floor in our church today, it would cost about $250,000. At present, we have laid a temporary tile to fill in the gaps in front of the sanctuary as we work to restore and repair the original flooring and steps. Special thanks to volunteers Steve Sullivan, David Oertel and Michael Schumacher, who are coordinating the floor effort. 1 8TH-GRADE FUNDRAISER: We held a fundraiser to help the 8th graders go to Washington, DC (photo 4). The teachers cooked a most delicious meal, and the 8th-grade students hosted and served everyone. They did such an amazing job! I heard so many compliments about how gra-cious the students were, and everyone appreciated the hard work put in by the teachers. 1 EASTER BONNET: There is an old tradition of wearing your Sunday best to church and especially on Easter, when a lot of people buy new clothes and everyone ends their fasts. It is a time of rebirth in the spring and the rising of our Lord. There was a time when men wore hats to Mass and the women wore beautiful bonnets (photo 5). I hope all of you can join in on the excitement of spring and the joy of rebirth by wearing hats and bonnets this Easter!

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St. Cecilia at EasterAs we conclude the season of Lent by reflecting on our prayers,

fasting and alms giving, please consider a special Easter do-

nation to St. Cecilia. Our budget includes a substantial Easter

collection to help maintain the parish buildings, serve the com-

munity and continue to build the Kingdom of God in Oakley.

We ask for your continued generosity to help meet our budgeted

expenses. Your special offering can be made online (stcecili-

acincinnati.org) as well as regular offertory giving. Your gifts

are always greatly appreciated.

Prayer Intentions for the Week We pray for God’s healing grace for Rosa Patton, Mary Ann Brennan and Jay Cahill. Contact Barb Browarsky at the parish office, (513) 871-5757, ext. 202, with Mass and sanctuary devo-tional candle intention requests.

Meditation books for the Easter season will be available next weekend. Look for a copy at the church exits.

PA R I S H N E W S & N O T E S MAR 182018

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Why We GiveMy husband, Billy, and I have been married for less than a year, which means this tax sea-son was our first time filing together. As much as it embarrasses me to say, the dreaded tax season really forced us to finally get down to the nitty-gritty details of our finances — the task we so quickly moved to the bottom of our to-do lists since our wedding date. Recently we sat down and documented down to the penny everywhere our money was being spent. It opened our eyes to how easily we will subscribe to a new TV station that costs $10 a month, go out to eat and order the extra glass of wine, or register for unlimited music with

a monthly cost, but not donate to the Church. Our society tends to get so wrapped up in consumerism that we often spend money on frivolous things that add no value or substance to our lives, and we were perfect examples of that! We really began to ask ourselves what we can cut out of our lives to give more to St. Cecilia, a place that enriches our lives in so many ways.

So we made the decision to add St. Cecilia to our monthly “subscription list.” When we finally opened the online donation site, it was incredibly easy to select the recipient of our donation and the frequency of payments. We enjoyed personalizing our donation and having the option to select yearly for specific holidays, like Christmas or Easter, or contribute monthly. We already feel like we are that much closer to God now! – Kelly and Billy Wersel