FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

March 1, 2009

Parish Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, but closed on Thursday afternoons from 12 to 4:30 PM for staff development, training and administrative meetings.

► Please note: When the parish office is closed for a holiday, the building will not be available for use by any parish or outside committees and groups.

Last Week’s Collection: Regular Collection: $9,757.75, Building Fund: $1,851.42, Ash Wednesday $5.00, Miscellany: $35.00, Central & Eastern Europe: $25.00, Black/Indian Mission: $422.00, Candles: $186.07, Total: $12,287.24.

Mass Attendance:

5:00 PM: 397; 8:00 AM: 300; 10:30 AM: 411. Total: 1108.

Ash Wed: 8:30 AM: 331, Noon: 293, 6:00 PM: 325. Total: 949.

Father Pat’s Easter Baskets

As many of you know, each year at Easter, Father Pat provides Easter Baskets for the children on Easter Sunday at our Children’s Mass (10:00 AM). If anyone would like to make monetary contributions to this project, please contact the church office.

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS: March 1 - 7

Happy Birthday To: Martha Insignares, Anam Garcia, Lilianne Kaminski, John Hogan, Meredith Kearney, Frank McGinnis, Roy Mort, Luke Odom, Michael Quinn, Jean Backus, Eva Fauth, Chris Kies, Henry Knittel, Ann MacDonald, Heather McNally, Nancy VanLoon, Daniel Call, Phyllis Daniel, Joseph Occhiuto, Anne Riley, Stanley Rocke, Callie Ellis, Doug Henderson, Lori Mendieta, Paula Worthington, Gina Allan, Jim Bindner, Laura DeChamplain, Christine P. Kitchen, Skylar Lombard, Christopher Naar, Catherine Sweeney, Joan Viggiano.

To: Stephen & Sophie Chmil and

Lamont & Kim Teeples.

REMINDER! SPRING FORWARD!

Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8. Remember to set your clocks

ahead 1 hour next weekend!

ATTENTION MINISTRIES: Articles for the April issue of the Precious Word are due by March 9. Please email them to: coordinator@pbocchurch.com.

Service Men and Women are always in need of mail from home. *Please drop a line to the following:

* SSG Carlos Flores, 812^th MP Company, APO AE 09387

* AIC Kevin J. Patteson, PSC9 Box 1485, APO AE 09123

* Nuristan PRT, Jeffrey Thoennes, FOB Kalagush,

APO AE 09354

* PFC Robert Humphreys, B Co 1^st CEB RC PLT,

Unit 40510, FPO AP 96426-0510

* CPT Terry Williams, MITT 1200/K1, APO AE 09338

* PFC Chris Barnych, Headquarters, HQSVC, BN.MCB,

TMOF, Unit 35002, FPO AP 96373-5002

* 1^st Lt. Michael T. Guay, CF Centaur, A-BTRY/FOB

GOSHTA, APO AE 09354

* Gy Sgt. B.M. Blonder, Force Recon PLT Task Force,

3/8 H&S Co. Unit 73275, FPO/AP 09510-3275

* Pv2 Jarrod Berger, ACO 1-12 CAV/TF 2-82 FA,

FOB Diamondback, APO AE 09334

If you would like to add someone to this list, call Phyllis Bieger at 237-3444. Please Note: These addresses could change.

Also, please call Phyllis or the parish office to let us know when any of these servicepersons have returned home.

AID TO OUR MILITARY: Your response in donating for our military care packages is appreciated. Our troops like to receive Pringles, Chex Mix, chips, granola bars, beef jerky, Cheeto’s, peanuts, cheese and peanut-butter cracker packs, etc., which can be dropped off at the parish office in a bag/s marked “Military”. Our K of C members have generously mailed these packages. Your prayers are requested for our military and their safe return. – John Glinka

BOOK & GIFT SHOP: The book “Catholic Diocese of Charleston – A History” is available for purchase in our Book & Gift Shop and in the parish office. It is the latest record of Catholicism in South Carolina in a beautiful hard-cover book with glossy full-color pages. Precious Blood’s history is on page 221. This book would be a great addition to your home library. The price is $30 (our cost).

The waters of Baptism make us part of the new covenant in Christ. But the bishops’ pastoral letter on stewardship reminds us that “there is a fundamental obligation arising from the Sacrament of Baptism…that people place their gifts, their resources – their selves – at God’s service in and through the Church.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

Church Debt 1/31/09 $302,467.52

PLC Debt 1/31/09 $1,398,545.51

Average weekly Collections for December

2008 2009

1^st Collection $10,959.68 $12,522.83

2^nd Collection $1,831.18 $2,088.59

Parish Coffee to Celebrate Stewardship at PBOC

All parishioners are invited to join with Fr. Pat in a Celebration of Stewardship Coffee immediately following our 10:30 AM outdoor Mass on March 8. During this one-hour event, you will hear of the recent good works of our parish and learn more about some specific areas of need to which you may be able to bring your time and talent.

Bishops Stewardship Appeal 2009

What should I give?

A Gift of Prayer – Pray for the church, for our diocesan family, and for all people who support or are supported by the BSA.

Time and Talent – Volunteer in your parish, school, community, and in diocesan ministries.

A Sacrificial Gift – Consider making a pledge or one-time financial gift to support the ministries of our diocese. Please continue working toward your Stewardship Commitment of 10%, designating 5% to your parish, 1% to the diocese, and 4% to other charities.

We welcome the new parishioners who

recently joined our parish:

Jordan, Diane, Gabriella and Sophia Falzarine

Harry & Susan Flak

Allen and Nancy Kenny

Andrew & Lisa McGrath

CURSILLO/ULTREYA

The March Ultreya will be held at St Michael's parish center at 7:00 PM on March 9.  Bring a snack and a friend and join us for prayer, song, and spiritual growth.  If you might want to learn more about the Cursillo Movement, and attending a Cursillo Weekend, you are cordially invited to join us.  The Cursillo Movement is a movement in the Catholic Church through which we learn to live a life that is fundamentally Christian and take seriously our role as Catholic laity.

Prayer & worship

MINISTRY OF CARE

Let us know of your loved one confined to home, in the hospital or recovering from surgery and now home. Our ministry is to unite the sick and recovering followers of Christ with the Body of Christ, they are not ALONE. Please call the parish office at 237-3428, Christine at 237-2096, or Anne at 237-0401.

FIRST FRIDAY adoration

March 6 - from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Come to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on first Friday, March 6^th, and pray for a stronger belief in the reality of Christ’s presence before you. At the Communion of Mass AND at Benediction of the Sacred Body of Our Lord, heaven truly comes to earth! Come and unite in Adoration of Jesus with the hosts of angels and saints.

In order to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament does not remain alone, the following committees and organizations have been asked to have their members present at the designated times.

This devotion is meant for the entire parish. Please come and pray with Jesus for even just one hour!

9:00-10:30AM Parish/Small Christian Communities

10:30-Noon Parish/All Liturgical Ministers

Noon-1:00PM Parish/All Outreach Ministries

1:00-2:00PM Parish/Knights of Columbus

2:00-3:00PM Parish/Women’s Club

3:00-4:00 PM Parish/Women Alone Together

4:00-6:00PM All Parishioners

RESPECT LIFE

The Rosary for the unborn will be prayed in the chapel after the 10:30 AM Mass this Sunday (the first Sunday of the month.)

RELIGIOUS ED REVIEW

All students in grades 1–8 are attending “Stations of the Cross for Youth” this weekend during religious education class time.

Next Sunday 3/8 at 10:30 is an Outdoor Mass with a Stewardship Celebration immediately following. Please plan to attend. There will be no 8:00 AM Mass.

OPERATION RICE BOWL – As part of our faith community’s Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. Since 1975, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast, learn and give as we increase our understanding of our global community. We will connect this understanding with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching throughout our Lenten journey. We encourage you to participate in Operation Rice Bowl at home with your family and loved ones. They are available in the gathering space.

Outreach

Just a reminder…the second Sunday of each month is our food drive for the Baskervill Ecumenical Food Pantry. Precious Blood is responsible for spaghetti and spaghetti sauce. There is a basket in the gathering space where you can leave your donations at any time. This is a way we can come together as a community to help those in need. Thank you for your generosity.

Fr. Pat’s Lunch Kitchen continues to serve on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with people coming together to enjoy sharing meals and friendship. Last Wednesday we served 79 people a meal of Pan-Fried Chicken, Cheese Omelet, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Collard Greens, Assorted Desserts and Iced Tea. On Thursday we served 48 people Cream of Broccoli Soup, Chili Dogs, Potato Salad, Assorted Desserts and Iced Tea.

We thank everyone who helps to make these meals a pleasure for all who come.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Sr. Youth Group (SYG): Grades 9-12, Sundays 6-8 PM

ü Grabba Java – Tuesdays 6:45-7:45 PM

Jr. Youth Group (JYG): Grades 5-8

ü Fridays 6:30-8:30 PM

Youth Music

ü Jr. Choir – Practices Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 PM in church.

ü Sr. Choir – Practices Thursday evenings, 6:00-7:00 PM.

Save the date!

March 7^th – Youth / Parish Yard Sale (Founders)

March 13-15^th – “White Oak” Conference

March 27-28^th – ThinkFAST (overnight) & dance (Friday night 7:00-10:00 PM) -funds to Fr. Pat’s lunch kitchen!

Yard Sale: Items may be brought to Founders Hall on Thursday & Friday, 3/5 & 3/6 between 3:00-5:00 PM. To book a pick-up for your items, please call Kate 237-3428 X 3.

Fellowship

In Prayer We Will Always Be Together

Come join us on Friday, March 6^th for an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and chanting of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 PM in the church. Take a peaceful break.

Bereavement Support Group

Men & women who are dealing with issues of grief and loss – any loss: of a loved one, family member, job or relationship – are welcome to attend our meeting on Tuesday, March 24^th at 10:30 AM in the PLC, Room 2. Reception follows meeting. Please contact Pat David at 650-2244.

ELDER ISSUES - Volunteers are needed for Friendly Visitations with residents at the Lakes at Litchfield and St. Elizabeth Place. In addition, we are in need of volunteers to conduct Bingo and Arts and Crafts at the Lakes at Litchfield. If you are interested in providing support to the elderly, please contact the Parish Office (237-3428) and a committee member

will contact you for further details.

Women’s club

Our annual fashion show fundraiser for community outreach will be held at Pawleys Plantation on Saturday, March 21^st. Doors open at 11:00 AM. This year’s theme is “Fashions in Reflection at the Palace of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors.” Russian-born Alexander Agrest, conductor of the Summerville Orchestra and a core member of the Charleston Symphony will delight us with his violin renditions. Tickets are still available by calling Marcia Boyer at 979-0116. Thank you.

The next General Meeting is Thursday, March 5^th, 2009.

Tickets for the Fashion Show Gift Baskets will be available at the meeting. Baskets will be on display.

To submit information in the bulletin for the Women's Club, Contact Debbie Desh at 235-3742.

knights of columbus

THE KNIGHTS SUNDAY NEWS

READ ALL ABOUT IT !!!!!

COMING EVENTS AND SPECIAL DATES

TO REMEMBER FOR MARCH

March 8 - Parish Outdoor Mass at 10:30 AM

Only one Mass on March 8,

weather permitting

March 8 - Parish Stewardship Sunday

In the PLC following 10:30 Mass

March 14 - Parish St. Patrick’s Day Party at the PLC.

Tickets available at Parish Office, $18 each.

March 19 - K of C Potluck Social, 7:00 PM, Founders

Hall, for Knights and their families.

March 23 - Parish Mass for the Unborn, 6:00 PM

March 29 - 200 Club Dinner, (200 Club Members only)

Please watch the Knights Sunday News for upcoming events.

Vivat Jesus !

Al Salemme, Grand Knight

DIOCESAN NEWS

REMINDER: ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL will hold its Registration and Open House for Grades Pre-K – 8 for the 2009-10 school year the week of Monday, March 2^nd through Thursday, March 5^th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day during that week. A limited number of spaces are available for each grade. Questions: contact the school office at 651-6795 or schoolinfo@saintmichaelsc.org.

March 2 - 7

Monday Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18 / Matthew 25:31-46

Tuesday Isaiah 55:10-11 / Matthew 6:7-15

Wednesday Jonah 3:1-10 / Luke 11:29-32

Thursday Esther C:12,14-16,23-25 / Matthew 7:7-12

Friday Ezekiel 18:21-28 / Matthew 5:20-26

Saturday Deuteronomy 26:16-19 / Matthew 5:43-48

Small Christian Communities

PRAYER CORNER

Pray With Us…

When all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your Presence,

Your love, and Your strength. Help us have the perfect

trust in Your protecting love and strengthening

power, so that nothing may frighten or worry

us, for, living close to you, we shall see Your

Hand, Your purpose, Your will through all

Things. Amen

A favorite prayer from the Small Christian Communities