February 28th, 2021

In Thee, O Lord, have I put my hope. Let me never be confounded. - St. Francis Xavier, S.J.

SECOND SUNDAY OF In ancient times, the obligation of the penitential fast throughout Lent was to take only one full meal a day. In addition, a smaller meal, called a collation, was allowed in the evening. In practice, this obligation, which was a matter of custom rather than of written law, was not observed strictly. The 1917 Code of Canon Law allowed the full meal on a day to be taken at any hour and to be supplemented by two collations, with the quantity and the quality of the food to be determined by local custom. Abstinence from meat was to be observed on and on Fridays and Saturdays in Lent. A rule of thumb is that the two collations should not add up to the equivalent of another full meal. Rather, portions were to be "sufficient to sustain strength, but not sufficient to satisfy hunger". In 1966, Saint Pope Paul VI reduced the obligatory fasting days to Ash Wednesday and , abstinence days to Fridays, and allowed episcopal conferences to replace abstinence and fasting with other forms of penitence such as charity and piety, as declared and established in his apostolic constitution Paenitemini. This was done so that those in countries where the standard of living is lower can replace fasting with prayer, but "...where economic well-being is greater, so much more will the witness of asceticism have to be given..." As the United States is a country where economic well-being is greater, our witness to asceticism will, of course, have to be greater. As we move through the Lenten season, we must ask ourselves: “Am I doing the bare minimum? Or am I making a true practice of asceticism and sacrifice?” It is a question to which there is only one correct answer. This week, resolve to eliminate any unnecessary spending. While it can be extreme to interpret Matthew 19:21 (Go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor) in a literal way, it is good to abstain from worldly goods. Buy no new clothes or gadgets, books or music. Resist the impulse buying which is so easy and instant on the internet. Avoid any fast food or eating out, or any rich foods that can distract our minds from asceticism. Take time to reflect on the great ascetic Saints, such as Paul the Hermit or Anthony the Great. Practice living simply, and consider giving to the poor the money which has been saved by this practice. In Mary’s Immaculate Heart, A COMMENTARY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY IN LENT BONDS LOOSED The Lenten season continues with another And, as He discloses to the Apostles, He is the Son story of testing. Last Sunday, we heard the trial of of Man sent to suffer and die for our sins Jesus in the desert. In this week’s First Reading, we (see Isaiah 53:3). hear of how Abraham was put to the test. As we sing in today’s Psalm, Jesus believed in the In today’s Epistle, Paul uses exact words drawn face of His afflictions, and God loosed Him from from this story to describe how God, like Abra- the bonds of death (see Psalm 116:3). ham, did not withhold His only Son, but handed His rising should give us the courage to face our Him over for us on the Cross (see Romans trials, to off er ourselves totally to the Father—as 8:32; Genesis 22:12,16). He did, as Abraham and Isaac did. In the Gospel today, too, we hear another echo. Je- Freed from death by His death, we come to this sus is called God’s “beloved Son”—as Isaac is de- Mass to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and to scribed as Abraham’s beloved son. renew our vows—as His servants and faithful ones. These readings are given to us in Lent to reveal - Dr. Scott Hahn Christ’s identity and to strengthen us in the face of our afflictions. Jesus is shown to be the true son that Abraham re- joiced to see (see Matthew 1:1; John 8:56). In His transfiguration, He is revealed to be the “prophet like Moses” foretold by God—raised from among their own kinsmen, speaking with God’s own au- thority (see Deuteronomy 18:15, 19). Like Moses, He climbs the mountain with three named friends and beholds God’s glory in a cloud (see Exodus 24:1, 9, 15). He is the one prophesied to come after Elijah’s return (see Sirach 48:9– 10; Malachi 3:1, 23–24).

The parish staff knows of the following who are ill, in retired living accommodations, etc. If you are aware of others, please let Father or the parish office know: Carl Burrell, Elvira Colistro, Ray Lobdell, Rose Zinkgraf, Bella Mally, Jane Soars, Marge Ivanis, Eleanor Finley, Virginia Warren, Susan Fisher, Gerri Allen, Peggy Cloke, Kathy McCarthy, Christopher Pitner, Ken Keyes, Shirley Anderson, Wayne Anderson, and the residents of Franklin Hills Care Center and Cherrywood Place.

Prayers for the infirm and homebound are a work of mercy. SAINTS FOR THE YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST ST. PETER JULIAN EYMARD

St. Peter Julian Eymard was a 19th century French priest whose devotion to the Blessed Sacra- ment expressed itself both in mystical writings and the foundation of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, a religious institute designed to spread devotion to the Eucharist. Throughout his life, Peter Julian was afflicted by medical problems, including a “weakness of the lungs” and recurrent migraines. He sought solace for his suffering in devotion to both Mary and the Blessed Sacrament, having originally been a member of the Society of Mary. While serving as visitor- general of the society, he observed Marian communi- ties near Paris who practiced perpetual adoration, and was moved by the devotion and happiness of those who spent hours each day in reverence of Christ’s body.

The following is taken from St. Peter Julian’s works Jesus Christ, Who wishes to lead a soul to the Eucharist as to her sovereign grace, prepares her by a certain grace of sentiment which at first may be little appreciated. On First-Communion Day the feeling of happiness caused by the presence of Jesus is the first call; without the soul's knowing it, this initial grace grows imperceptibly, very much like the germination of a seed in the earth. Well cared for, it later develops into a need, a disposition, a habit of thought, an instinct. Everything then points to the Eucharist; if the Eucharist is missing, everything is missing with it. A soul under the influence of this grace directs her piety, her virtues to the Blessed Sacrament. She experiences the need of Holy Mass and Communion. She feels drawn to enter churches to see the tabernacle. Something continually impels her in that direction. What is that power? The sovereign grace which, after having educated her, has become the mother of all her other graces, the moving principle of all her actions. She says: "I feel drawn to the Blessed Sacrament. It is not a sacrifice for me to be in Its presence. In fact, I am happy only there." It could not be otherwise, for she is living according to her special grace. . . The sap of a tree lies in the heart of it; it is protected by the wood and the bark. Everything in the tree tends to preserve it during the winter frosts, because it is the life of the tree. Well, your sovereign grace is the sap of your spiritual life. It will make all the branches of your life fruitful. Preserve it and defend it as the heart, the soul of your supernatural life. SFX Directory Office Telephone: (509) 487-6363 Office Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Father Gaines: [email protected] Office Email: [email protected] SFX can be found online at: sfxspokane.org or facebook.com/sfxspokane

Adoration Schedule Mailing Address Prayer Chain Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament is held P.O. Box 7179 Contact Jackie Silvey for prayer requests or Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. to volunteer, she can be reached at (509) Spokane, WA 99207 483-3109

Holy Mass Schedule Confessions Baptisms, Marriages, Conversions Tuesdays 4-5pm Saturdays at 4:00pm, Sundays at 7:30am in the Ordinary Please contact the parish office at Form, Sundays at 11am & 12:30pm in the Extraordinary Saturdays 3:00pm “[email protected]” to arrange a Form. baptism, schedule marriage preparation, or if Sundays 10:30am Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday 8:00am you are interested in becoming Catholic.

Mass Calendar & Mass Intentions Sat Feb 27 2nd Sunday, Lent Steve Kopczynski Sun Feb 28 2nd Sunday, Lent Pro Populo Mar 7 2nd Sunday, Lent Pro Populo Sun Feb 28 2nd Sunday, Lent Poor Souls Mar 7 2nd Sunday, Lent Poor Souls Sun Feb 28 2nd Sunday, Lent Margaret Crowe Mar 7 2nd Sunday, Lent Fr. Michael Sim Mon Mar 1 Weekday Donna DeMotte Mar 8 Weekday Donna DeMotte

Tue Mar 2 Weekday Imelda Rose Mar 9 Weekday Imelda Rose Wed Mar 3 Weekday Dick Barrett Mar 10 Weekday Andrew Varga + Thu Mar 4 Weekday NO MASS Mar 11 Weekday NO MASS Fri Mar 5 Weekday NO MASS Mar 12 Weekday NO MASS Sat Mar 6 2nd Sunday, Lent Residents of Texas Mar 13 3rd Sunday, Lent Richard Slagle + Sun Mar 14 3rd Sunday, Lent Pro Populo Sun Mar 14 3rd Sunday, Lent Poor Souls Sun Mar 14 3rd Sunday, Lent Lorraine Floberg Masses without intentions are celebrated according to the intention of the priest celebrant. To request the offering of the mass for your intention, please call the parish office or place your request in the Sunday collection

Parish Events & Notifications

Northside Catholic Youth Ministry Year of the Eucharist NCYM meets in small groups throughout the As we move through the Year of the Eucharist, week, view the Winter Schedule on the website using the please take time to attend Adoration of the Blessed Sacra- link below for more details. ment here at St. Francis Xavier. We have adoration every Website: https://www.ncymspokane.com/ weekday from 7am-8am, and time with our Lord is al- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCYSpokane/ ways well spent. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncymspokane/ 40 Days for Life Remember our Neighbors in Need The 40 Days for Life spring campaign will run During the pandemic, we continue to distribute from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, and St. Francis food through the Missionaries of Charity and Caritas ser- Xavier will be participating again. vices Please leave your donations of nonperishable items Our time slot is on the six Thursdays of the cam- by the doors of the church. paign, from 4pm to 5pm. Additionally, a time slot is also available from 9am to 10am on Thursdays. The dates are Sacramental Preparation 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, & 3/25. We will meet outside The parish is starting Sacramental Prep this of the Planned Parenthood on Indiana street. Spring. Classes will begin on April 17th, with First Please remember to dress for the weather, as it Communion taking place on the Feast of Corpus Christi, can be quite cold during these late winter months. June 6th. Confirmations will take place on July 17th. If you are interested, please email the parish office. Office Hours Changing Our secretary, Miles Ormsby, has recently begun Natural Family Planning a teaching position at St. Charles Catholic School. Due NFP uses the physical signs placed by God with- to the conflicting schedules, the office will now be open in each woman’s body to identify when pregnancy can on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you call or email occur. Monthly classes for three months. Tuition $95.00 during the week, Miles will do his best to get back to you for the series. Classes are currently conducted virtually. as quickly as he is able (ideally within 24 hours). As Contact the Women’s Health Center: 509-474-2400 Miles was part-time to begin with, this should be a relatively painless transition. OurParishNetwork.org Connect, Learn, Grow, Shop, Save, & More

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