Friday, March 1, 2013

Parish UPDATE: March 3


Beloved of God and of this parish:

1THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY
  • The first screening in the "Desire of the Nations" film series. Film begins at 6:30 pm on Saturday, March 2 in St. Joseph Hall. Bring a friend and the family.
  • The Third Sunday of Lent. Mass begins with the singing of the Great Litany in procession within the nave of the church. Join us in praying for the needs of our world and the church. Please, do not take the Worship Service bulletins or Plainsong inserts with you, we need these for the whole season of Lent. Thanks.
  • Confirmation class continues after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.
2NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 10
 Laetare Sunday,  fourth Sunday in Lent in the Western Christian Church, so called from the first word (“Rejoice”) of the introit of the liturgy. It is also known as mid-Lent Sunday, for it occurs just over halfway through Lent, and as Refreshment Sunday because it may be observed with some relaxation of Lenten strictness. In medieval England simnel cakes (special rich fruitcakes) were consumed on this day. In the Anglican churches it is sometimes called Mothering Sunday, with reference to a verse in Galatians (4:27).
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/327669/Laetare-Sunday

3. LENT AT ST. MARY
There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Lent and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.
  • TUESDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00PM 
  • THURSDAYS : Bible Study at 6:30PMWe'll are currently studying the Book of Nehemiah. Everyone welcome. We are done by 7:45 pm 
  • FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross at 6:30PMEvening Prayer at 7:00PM 
  • FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30PM.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from.
  • Pick up a booklet for daily meditations in Lent. These are available in the chapel area and at no cost to you.
  • Daily Mass
  • Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession 
  • Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson certified Spiritual Directors if you have questions.
3UPCOMING EVENTS:
  • Pledge Cards: If you have not picked up your Pledge Cards or Pledge Envelopes, please remember to do this on Sunday. Our talents, treasure and time makes the ministries of this parish possible. Thanks for sharing your spiritual and temporal gifts with us
  • Palm Sunday procession [Sunday, March 24]: We will bless the palms in the new plaza and process around the block - Faris to Exposition to Watseka and end up in the church. Service will start at 10 am. 
  • Special Offerings for Lent: 
    • Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem. 
    • Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well.
    • We will need flowers to decorate the meditation garden on Maundy Thursday. More on this next week.
4. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:
  • Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH.
  • All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
  • All whoa are battling various forms of cancer.
  • God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
  • Our students Vincent, Obed, Larry Jr, Simone, Jeffrey, Audrey, Natasha and Michelle.
  • Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
  • All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter and confirmation
5.   EXTRA NEWS
See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent