ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!
Welcome to those who want to make our parish their faith home. You may have come from other places. You may have been “away for a while”. Be assured that we love to have you among us. We would appreciate it very much if you identified yourself at Mass. It would also help if you would take the time to fill out a registration form. The next time you are with us, you may leave it in the collection basket or give it to one of the ushers or to the priest. Thank you and welcome.

THE LITURGIES OF THE THREE GREAT DAYS - A SUMMARY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
Looking for a summary of the Christian faith, we may be inclined to go to the Church’s Catechism. That is not a bad place to go to. But, we find the Christian faith just as authoritatively summed up in the Church’s liturgy. That is especially true of the liturgies of the Three Great Days that we just experienced these last few days.

Which liturgies are we talking about? The ones that start on Holy Thursday (evening) and conclude on Easter Sunday. The sequence of services that mark these Three Great Days forms one liturgy in different stages. What holds these services together? It is the crucified, buried and risen Christ! It is the Passover of the Lord Jesus that we celebrate, his passing from this world to the Father. But Jesus Christ is not a solitary individual. In baptism, we have become his Body so that it is Jesus Christ who takes us with him in his Passover. It is our Passover too!

Many thanks to those who made these liturgies happen, those who made the church be in shape for that, those who led us in the singing, those who served our community in the different ministries that are part of these liturgies, and those who celebrated with us.

OUR EASTER FAITH DISPLAYED IN THE BANNERS
The set of banners you see in the front of the church will be with us for the next 50 days, covering the entire Easter season. They are more than a piece of decoration. In vivid images, they capture what as church we are about in the Easter season.

The cross, which on its own is an instrument of torture and shame, has been transformed into the tree of life (remember what we sang during Lent!). That is what the resurrection of Jesus makes possible. The sun of the new creation has dawned and the roots of the cross, of the tree of life reach into the darkest corners of our human existence to bring life. Part of that new creation is that the risen Christ shares his life-giving Spirit with us; that is captured in the red banner with its flames of fire. The lower banner shows us how in the waters of baptism we have got our feet in the new creation of the risen Jesus.

Quite significantly, the banners hang above or serve as a backdrop to the two focal points of our celebration of the Eucharist: the lectern from which God's life-giving Word is proclaimed and the altar around which we share the life-giving bread and wine of the new creation, the Body and Blood of Christ. These are the two principal means of the church by which the new life we have received in baptism is nourished and sustained on a regular basis.

BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSIONS
There are three families asking for Baptism for their children at present. We will be spending some time together very soon preparing for this sacrament. If any one else is interested, please call the office at 819-986-3763.

ST. ALOYSIUS PARISH BIBLE STUDY
Are you interested in increasing your knowledge of the bible? St.Aloysius parish, 300 Abbe-Murray, Gatineau has organized a bible study, starting April 7th which will be on Mondays every two weeks at 7:30 in the church basement. Different presenters have agreed to participate. Bishop Gervais, retired Bishop of the Ottawa Diocese has agreed to lead the first two Mondays. Everyone is invited, bring a friend and your bible and join us for an interesting evening. For information, please call the parish at 819-663-5244.

“I believe – I give” I believe…I give! With that heartfelt cry, the 2008 Share Lent campaign, which began on Ash Wednesday, reminded all Canadian Catholics of their commitment to social justice and international solidarity. All during Lent, parishioners of Our Lady of Victory and St. Malachy parishes were presented with literature and symbols in preparation for the Share Lent collection which was to be held on March 8-9. Instead, Mother Nature showered us with one of our largest snow storms in many years and masses at both parishes were cancelled. However, this did not stop parishioners. Even though it took a few more weeks, the final tally for the 2008 Share Lent collection from both parishes totals $1,729.00. Last year, we collected $1,942.00. Thank you for your usual generosity! Hunger Meal As indicated in a previous bulletin, the six area Catholic churches decided to go ahead with the planned Hunger Meal for Development and Peace on March 9th regardless of the snow storm. Everything considered, the organizers consider the event a huge success. A total of $452.12 was raised at this year’s Hunger Meal and the organizers are looking forward to repeating this event next year. Again, thank you to all who participated. Transformation Committee (Linda Cameron, Diane Bedard-Cameron, Jean Dunnigan & Shirley Plouffe)

GRADUATES FOR A REUNION
Did you go to the Ecole Normale Chapeau aka St. Mary’s Teachers College between the years 1940 to 1969? We are having a Reunion on May 17 in Chapeau. For more information you may call Loma Venasse-Roel at 819-689-2129 or email Iorna.roel@yahoo.com or Bernadette Matte-Hendry at 819-689-5223.

As Sr. Mary Edwin said to the graduates in 1969, “I honestly feel that St. Mary’s Teachers College will not “cease to exist” in June 1969, but rather that it will live on in loving memory and in effective influence in the lives of its graduates and of all those whose dedication and sacrifice over the years have made possible its fine contribution to teacher-education in the province.” Hope to see you at the Reunion.

ST. PAT’S TEA
Once again all came through for the success of our St. Pat’s Tea. This from our kitchen helpers, our floor helpers, the servers and the choir who brought in the spirit of St. Pat’s with their various songs and brought enjoyment to the crowd. A special thank-you to all who responded to the call to donate baked goodies — without this the tea would not have been able to raise $717.00. THANK YOU. (signed OLV Society)

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
On March 8, a total of 22 teams participated in raising money for the Knights of Columbus to help this organization with their yearly charitable donations. Your team of, Ann, Bill, Joan, Barry, Cliff, Gale, Marilyn, Rene, Monique and Ken had a great time playing two games with a total of 53 points. No we did not win — but had a great afternoon. (signed Monique & Ken)