VOL Parish Weekly Bulletin March 13, 2016 | Page 2

March 13, 2016

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Views From The Pews
Many of you thank me for my
explanation of the Parable of the
Prodigal son. Ed says “I always thought
the word ‘prodigal’ meant ‘bad.’
“All but one of you thought
the word ‘prodigal’ means ‘bad.’ Of course, it doesn’t.
It means lavish, excessive, over the top. When the word
is applied to the son, it refers to his over the top sins.
When it refers to the father, it refers to the father’s over
the top love and forgiveness. And, that is why I believe
the parable should be called ‘The Parable of the
Prodigal FATHER.’ The Father’s excessive love and
forgiveness easily trump the son’s sins.
Father Mike

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS THOMAS MORE
COUNCIL 7226 DIAPER DRIVE
Let us help Access Pregnancy by donating DIAPERS for
parents that CHOOSE LIFE for their babies by donating a
pack of NEW DIAPERS (size 1 or size 2 is needed most)
March 13th through March 20th.
Drop off at any of the following location:
VOL Church,
VOL Pastoral Center or
Westbank Religious Supply House, Inc.

2
Did You Know?

Asked whether they lean or strongly support one of the
major American political parties, here is what Catholics
say in a recent national poll.
Democrats
Republicans
Independent of Third Party

48%
29%
24%
Father Mike

Palms Wanted
Palm Sunday is on March 20th,
2016. If you will be trimming palms from
your garden, we welcome donations of
clean green palms. Please place them in
plastic bags and leave them at the door of
the church after March 16th.
Please do not leave palms any earlier than Wednesday,
March 16th, as we do not have a place to keep them.

Easter Flower Memorials
Envelopes have been placed in the pews and in the
church vestibule for those wishing to help defray costs of
Easter Flowers. Anyone wishing to make a donation of at
least $10.00 per name may memorialize a deceased family
member or friend. Their names will be printed in the parish
bulletin Easter weekend. Envelopes may be placed in the
collection with your Sunday Offering.
The deadline is March 20th. NO EXPECTIONS!!

Liturgical Ministry Spring Workshop Schedule

Days of Mercy Every Wednesday
at Visitation of Our Lady Church

5:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Confessions & Divine Mercy Chaplet
6:30 pm
Evening Prayer or Mass*
7:15 pm
Adult Faith Formation
*Mass will be celebrated on the following evenings:
June 29, September 14, November 2 & November 16

If you feel that you are being called to serve Visitation of
Our Lady as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
or as a Lector, talk with Fr. Mike. Unable to serve at Mass?
Perhaps you can help our Homebound and Communion
Angels Ministries b y bringing Holy Communion to shut-ins
and hospital patients.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors
must attend a workshop to be commissioned to serve. If you
are interested in learning more, call the Pastoral Center at
347-2203.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Saturday, April 16th @ St. Luke Evangelist (Slidell)
Workshop for Lectors
Saturday, April 2nd @ St. Clement of Rome
(All workshops are 9am—1pm)