ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF ST. PIUS X

ANNUAL CHRISM MASS:- Monday Apr 6^th at 7:00pm at the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate, in Nelson.  Because of the dinner at 5:00pm, the caterers must have the number of persons attending by Mar 25^th.  If you are planning to attend the dinner, please let our office know BEFORE Mar 25^th.  If you are interested in going, a car pool could be organized.

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER WEEKEND:- A Wedding is a Day ... A Marriage is a Lifetime.  A Time for Growth, Life, Love.  Prepare for you lifetime commitment through this Marriage Preparation Course.  Last Kelowna Weekend for 2009 - May 23^rd and 24^th.  Hurry as the May weekend is already 50% full.  www.CEEKelowna.ca or 250-317-8445.

PARISH MISSION:-  We are having a parish mission.  Our presenter will be Fr. David Tobin, CSsR. There will be an evening session, this Sun Mar 15^th to Tues Mar 17^th at 7:00pm and there will be a series of shorter talks at the morning mass Monday Mar 16^th to Wednesday Mar 18^th at 9:00 am.  An opportunity for confessions will be given on Tues evening and Wed morning as part of the Mission. Please plan to attend.

MASS AT THE HOSPITAL:-  There is a weekly Wednesday Mass in the Kelowna General Hospital Chapel at 3:30 pm.  All patients, staff, volunteers and visitors are welcome.

MUSICIANS & SINGERS:- Our Sunday Masses desperately need people to lead the congregation in song 2 or 3 times a month.  Please consider this important ministry and contact the parish office (762-2587).

FAREWELL BLESSING PARTY:- for the Evans Family: Join us for mass and pizza supper.  Saturday, March 21 at 5pm.  Call Miranda at 765-3144 or aku@shaw.ca to make your pizza order.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:- Fridays during Lent at 7:00 pm.  A short Lenten reflection to follow.

50^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ENVELOPES:- Envelopes, that you can use to help defray the cost of our 50^th Anniversary Weekend (Aug 21^st-23^rd), are available at the entrances to the church.  We are trying to keep the costs down to a minimum for the weekend activities, so that large families and parishioners on fixed income can participate.  Your contribution, at any time during the next few months, can be placed in the Sunday collection or brought to the office.  Thanks, Fr. Bart

CWL BURSARY NEWS:-  2 bursaries are available to the baptized son, daughter or grandchild of a CWL member of St Pius X Council.  The student must be a 2009 graduate of School District #23 or Immaculata High School.  Other criteria apply. Information sheet is available on the bulletin board at the back of the church.  Applications must be submitted by April 15th 2009.  For further information please contact : Lucille Jakubec (250) 763‑4738 or Sharon Schwab (250) 861‑2945.

MASS FOR THE UNBORN:- March 25^th at 7:00pm at St Pius X^th Church. The Knights of Columbus would like to invite you to come and pray with our Bishop, John Corriveau, as he celebrates a mass for the unborn babies who have not yet learned to pray for their own safety and who cannot defend themselves.  A reception will follow the Mass in the St. Pius X Hall.

MOSES IS COMING TO KELOWNA! Moses the Cat, that is. It's a CAT.CHAT Concert! An exciting faith-filled afternoon for Catholic families and kids of all ages. Join us Sun, Apr 19^th at St Pius X Hall.  Concert at 2:30 pm with a FREE DINNER to follow. Get your tickets at St Pius office (M-F, 9-4pm) Early Bird rate - $25/family, $8/Individual (or $35/$10 at the door). Questions? Want to Help? email admin@okanagancatholic.ca or call Michelle at 864-5897.  If you purchase tickets by Mar 31^st, you'll be entered to win one of 20 Cat.Chat CD's!

CONSECRATION TO MARY:- The Militia Immaculata will celebrate the next consecration ceremony on Wed Mar 25 (Feast of the Annunciation) @ Holy Spirit Church. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Cesar Macariola @ 7 pm.  Preparation booklets available from Loaves & Fishes. Everyone welcome.  Further info: Christine: 868-8933.

WORD OF LIFE:- meets at Immaculate Conception Parish the first Saturday of each month in Charity Hall at 9:45 am. We read one line of scripture and a short commentary by Chiara Lubich foundress of the Focolare Movement. We then share our experiences of attempting to put the gospel into action over the month. All welcome.

NEED A FAITH LIFT?  We invite you to join us in a New Life with the Spirit Seminar, Fri Apr 3^rd. Starts with Stations of the Cross in Immaculate Conception Church and continues in the Blue Room Sat Apr, 4^th 9‑3:30  Bring a bag lunch. Coffee & tea provided Preregistration would be appreciated for handout numbers.

Call Marcia (250) 768‑2546 or Madeleine 250 452-6898.

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER:- All are welcome to join us on Sun Mar 22^nd at St. Charles Garnier Parish at 1 pm as we share in the peace and simplicity of St. Francis and how he lived the Gospel of Christ. For more info please call Sandy at (250) 869‑0596 or Alice at (250) 860‑3541.

PEOPLE OF FAITH:-  Prayer meeting will meet on Wednesdays at 10 am in Charity Hall behind Immaculate Conception Church. Everyone is welcome to join us in prayer of praise, worship, thanksgiving, and intercession.

PERPETUAL ADORATION:- “People come to adoration because they are hungry and thirsty for the Lord.  They find peace by being with Him and they come away more focused, more generous in living their faith.”  (Fr. Daniel C. Conlin). Come spend an hour with Jesus, our source.  Phone (250) 860-6444 for a scheduled hour.

CATHOLIC FAMILIES:- Did you know there is a calendar of city-wide events for Catholic families which is put out monthly by the North Okanagan Deanery Family Life Ministry (NOD flm)?  But you need to get on the email list to receive it: contact admin@okanagancatholic.ca.  (Your address will not be used for any other purpose!)

THE CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF THE NELSON DIOCESE:- invites applications for the following positions starting the 2009-10 school year:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL FOR HOLY CROSS SCHOOL in Penticton.  Application deadline April 15.

2 TEACHERS FOR IMMACULATA HIGH SCHOOL in Kelowna (one teacher for Sr. Biology and Chemistry; one teacher for Grade 8-10 Humanities).  Application deadline April 29.

2 TEACHERS FOR ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL in Kelowna (one elementary teacher; one teacher to work with special needs students).  Application deadline April 29.

Please view details on these opportunities and the application process on the website www.cisnd.ca (employment opportunities page).

  

Some women experience depression after an abortion.  Symptoms of post-abortion trauma can also include intense grief, regret, despair, lowered self-esteem, nightmares, alcohol and drug abuse, and preoccupation with becoming pregnant again. Come experience God’s healing touch on a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat™.  Abortion AfterCare-Healing   250-762-2273  pr_nelsondiocese@hotmail.com

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER is hosting a Marriage Enrichment evening based on the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman St. Edwards Parish in Lake Country at 7pm on Tuesday March 31st.  For more information www.CEEKelowna.ca or 250-317-8445.

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER is looking to fill a variety of positions and we are looking for couples who would like to help Engaged Couples get the best start on their marriage.  The Kelowna EE Community serves all of the Nelson and Kamloops Diocese.  EE is a great way to be able to share in ministry together with your spouse.

For more information www.CEEKelowna.ca or (250) 317‑8445

Peace on Earth is founded on justice, solidarity and respect for the dignity of human life at every stage, in every condition, in relation to the common good.  Development and Peace was founded by the Canadian Catholic Bishops 40 years ago to promote Peace through Development.  Enabling the peoples of the Global South to develop their agricultural and infrastructure systems,  supporting grassroots industry, promoting Justice in all its facets – this is what we do.  By “we” we mean the Canadian Catholic Church, for without the donations received each year through the Share Lent Campaign and from the “Share Year Round” program none of this work would be possible. Please check out our web site www.devp.org or contact Jeanette or Les Atwell at 250 861 4242

RACHEL'S VINEYARD is sponsoring a Holy Hour of Adoration after the 9 am Mass on Saturday, Mar 28^th, at St. Pius X Parish.  We invite everyone to join us for the Holy Hour as we pray for the upcoming spring Rachel's Vineyard retreat weekend, as well as the new Grief to Grace--Healing the Wounds of Abuse ministry that will be offered in Kelowna soon.  After the Holy Hour, we will gather in the hall for coffee and fellowship.