The word of God is living and effective, discering reflections and thoughts of the hear. 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 March 2014

What are & Abstinence? Fasting means only one full meal may be eaten that day. Two snacks that do not add up to a full meal also may be A Day of Repentance, Fasting, eaten. On Days of Fasting, fasting is required for Catholics between the ages of 18 and 58, except for pregnant or Abstinence & Prayer nursing mothers or for other health reasons. Fasting is a Mass & Distribution of Ashes time-tested way of focusing in prayer.

*AshAsh Wednesday and Good Friday are Days of FastingFasting.

St Augustine 9 am, 12 noon (Latin), 7 pm St Mary 12:10 pm Abstinence means meat and poultry may not be eaten. Another sacrifice may be substituted if you already do not eat meat or poultry, or for health reasons. On Days of Remember, you are dust, and to dust you will return. AbstinenceAbstinence, abstinence is required for Catholics 14 years and older. Abstinence is the traditional reminder and Genesis 3:19 expression of repentance. *AshAsh Wednesday, all FridaysFridays in , and Good Friday are Days of Abstinence.

Operation Rice Bowl is the Catholic Relief Services Lenten faith-in-action program uniting us with our most vulnerable brothers and sisters through the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Journey through the Forty Days of Lent with the Daily Prayer Reflections in the Lenten Calendar; fast and offer small gifts to fill your Rice Bowl; read Stories of Hope of lives that have been changed. Pick up your Rice Bowl Lenten Calendar and Rice Bowl in church today, or in the days ahead, or download today the free Rice Bowl Mobile App online from crsricebowl.org to get daily reflections for Lent, track your Lenten sacrifices, and get recipes for Lent wherever you go! Lent starts next Wednesday, March 5.

Latin Mass --- St. Augustine Church , Oak Harbor

Wednesday, March 5, 12 noon Ash Wednesday with Blessing & Imposition of Ashes Sunday, March 9 11:00 am First Sunday of Lent Sunday, March 30 11:00 am Fourth Sunday of Lent Sunday, April 6 11:00 am Fifth Sunday of Lent Sunday, May 18 11:00 am Fifth Sunday of

A Worship aid in English, containing the prayers of the Mass and the Bible readings, is provided to worshippers at the Mass.

Connect with Father Paul [email protected] | Facebook www.facebook.com/FatherPaulPluth | Twitter www.twitter.com/@FatherPaulPluth Weekly Parish Expenses: 2,135 This week at St. Mary Stewardship: Feb. 23 - $2,465 —Sun - 3/2 - 8th Sun. in Ordinary Time Thank you for all your gifts. • 9:30am RE - gr. Pre-K—6th • 10:45am Rosary Please remember St. Mary • 11:15am Mass - INT - Fr. Gary Sumpter in your will. • 12:15pm 1st Confessions • 12:15pm Coffee & donuts • 6:30pm Lutheran Service At St. Mary Church —Wed - 3/5 Ash Wednesday • 10:30am Living the Eucharist—small group also received glass windows of • 12:10pm Mass with distribution of Ashes Many repairs for some care and the church. safety and attention and —Thu—3/6 We want St. maintenance decorative • 10:00am Bible Study (clsrm 4) purposes have “leaves” have Mary Church to been made been added to continue as a • 11:30am Rosary beautiful place recently at St. deter • 12:10pm Mass Mary. The skateboarding to worship. Breezeway activity. • 12:50pm—Women of St. Mary—meeting We thank Gary flooring has been Smart for his • After Mass - Adoration until 2:00pm replaced and As we move inspection of the will receive through spring —Sat—3/8 property. It was further work into summer we’ll thorough and • 10:30am Choir rehearsal when warmer be addressing necessary to weather returns. the handrails on —Sun 3/9 - 1st Sunday of Lent address these The Breezeway the Main street • 9:30am RE gr Pre-K—6th main post and entrance and the property issues. handrails have beautiful stained • 10:45am Rosary • 11:15am Mass • March Mass intentions 12:15pm Confessions heard • 2nd - INT - Fr. Gary Sumpter 12:15pm K of C breakfast—donations accepted 16th - RIP - Emilio & Prena Pecchia ++(Peck-e-a) • 6:30pm Lutheran Service

Please pray for ~the ill ~the dying ~all recovering from surgery ~or from an illness. We thank all who pray for those whose names appear on this list.

Bryan Russell Ray & Estelle Bouchard

Mary Gordon Lord Hear our Prayer

LENT, TRIDUUM, EASTER SUNDAY 2014 P L E A S E S A V E T H I S F L Y E R F O R F U T U R E R E F E R E N C E

LENT: A JOURNEY FROM BAPTISM TO EASTER During the 40 Days of Lent, while individuals around the world enter their final preparations for their Baptism at the Easter Vigil on Easter Eve—including two people in our parish—baptized Christians prepare themselves for their Renewal of Baptismal Promises at the Easter Masses. When we were baptized, we died and rose with Jesus in the waters of Baptism, and embarked upon our new life and friendship with Jesus. Now, every Lent, we ask ourselves: “What does it mean for me to be a baptized Christian?” We use the 40 Days of Lent to recommit ourselves to taking up our personal crosses every day of our lives, and following Jesus as Teacher, Savior, and Friend. That recommitment culminates on Easter, at Mass, when we will renew our promises made at Baptism, promises to walk in new life with Jesus and serve him in those we meet on the way. How do we accomplish this recommitment during the 40 Days of Lent? By making use of the Four Disciplines of Lent: Repentance, Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving (Works of Charity) [Matthew 4:17; 6:2–18] Repentance lays claim to the grace God poured out on us at our Baptism, washing away our sins. When we follow the path of Repentance—for example, by taking part in a Lenten Penance Service—we are restored to the sinlessness and innocence before God that he gave us in our Baptism. Prayer puts us back in touch with the Father, whom we may not have spoken with in the past months as often as we’d like. Prayer builds our friendship with Jesus, because friends talk things over. By placing all things in the hands of God through Prayer, we relearn to trust God and walk in faith. By our prayers, we also come to the aid of our brothers and sisters, growing in compassion for them as we carry out the ministry of prayer for the world. Fasting, either by doing without something we like to eat (“giving up something for Lent”) or by letting go of destructive forces in our lives (such as fasting from anger, or fasting from self-hatred), sets us free for God. Through fasting, like an athlete in training, we uncover the spiritual strength God has given us. We discover that the things we are fasting from are not in charge of us—only God is! No wonder the time-tested experience of Christians has been that fasting is a profitable way of increasing our focus in prayer. Almsgiving (Works of Charity) takes us out of ourselves, making us grow more like Jesus, who gave all he had for us. Charity tears down those things that divide us from our brothers and sisters. “Charity, love, is sharing with the one we love in all things. Love makes us similar, it creates equality, it breaks down walls and eliminates distances. God did this with us.” (Pope Francis) The worldwide theme for Lent 2014, announced by Pope Francis, is “Though Jesus Christ was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” [2 Corinthians 8:9] The poverty of Jesus Christ “is his way of loving us, his way of being our neighbor. Christ’s poverty which enriches us is his taking flesh and bearing our weaknesses and sins as an expression of God’s infinite mercy to us. Christ’s poverty is the greatest treasure of all.” As we make use the disciplines of Lent to recommit ourselves to following Jesus, we will rediscover this treasure and experience the joy of giving it away to our brothers and sisters. In this way, when our Lenten journey ends, we will find out we have a richer life to give back to God as our Easter offering. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and ends with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17. P a g e 2 L e n t - T r i d u u m - E a s t e r S u n d a y 2 0 1 4

F a s t & A b s t i n e n c e R e g u l a t i o n s

Abstinence and Fasting are spiritual disciplines Catholics are obliged to practice during Lent.

ABSTINENCE

Ash Wednesday, and every Friday of Lent including Good Friday, are Days of Abstinence. Catholics 14 years and older are not to eat meat and poultry on these Days of Abstinence. Vegetarians, Vegans, and others who customarily do not eat meat and poultry, should choose another sacrificial practice on Days of Abstinence. FASTING Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, are Fast Days. Catholics 18 to 58 years old are bound to the spiritual obligation to fast on Christ Died for Our Salvation on Friday these two days. On a Fast Day, one full meal For this reason, Friday itself remains a special day of penitential is allowed. Two smaller meals, or snacks, may observance throughout the year, not only during Lent. Friday should be be taken but are not to equal a full meal. to each week what Lent is to the entire year Pregnant and nursing women, and those in It would bring great glory to God and good to souls if Fridays found our people doing volunteer work in hospitals, visiting the sick, serving ill health, or for other reasons, e.g. diabetes, the needs of the aged and the lonely, instructing the young in the are not bound by the obligations of Faith, participating as Christians in community affairs, and meeting abstinence and fasting. They are urged to our obligations to our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our substitute another form of self-denial community, including our parishes, with a special zeal born of the suitable to their condition. desire to add the merit of penance to the other virtues exercised in good works born of living faith. “Penance & Abstinence”, 1983, US Bishops

A s h W e d n e s d a y

Ash Wednesday, March 5, is a day of Repentance and Conversion. Ashes, the ancient sign of that repentance and conversion, will be blessed and “The wearing of distributed at Mass at 9 am (St Augustine) 12 noon ashes is meant to (Latin, St Augustine), 12:10 pm (St Mary) and be a sign of our 7 pm (St Augustine). The ashes come from the inward palm branches blessed on the preceding Palm Sunday to show how fleeting are the honors of this world. conversion” Also, the wearing of ashes can be a way to quietly evangelize your places of work and neighbors. I well remember the Ash Wednesday when one TV news team reported the news on air, each one wearing ashes. P a g e 3 O p e r a t i o n R i c e B o w l

As part of our faith connect that with the community’s Lenten principles of Catholic Social observance, we will Teaching throughout our participate in Catholic Relief Lenten journey. We Services’ Lenten program encourage you to participate Operation Rice Bowl. For in Operation Rice Bowl at thirty-eight years, ORB has home with your family and inspired Catholics in the loved ones. Rice Bowl Lenten United States to pray, fast, Calendars and Bowls are your mobile device, and find learn and give as we available in the church. more information, on their increase our understanding NEW! Download the free website crsricebowl.org. of our global community and Rice Bowl Mobile App for

S t a t i o n s o f t h e C r o s s P a r i s h S o u p S u p p e r s

The Stations of the Cross youth of the parish, and Please bring your own bowl are prayed at St Augustine the Stations at St Mary by and spoon. on Thursdays in Lent at a variety of parishioners. Stations of the Cross also “We adore you 5 pm, and at St Mary on At both St Augustine and are prayed at St Augustine O Christ and we Tuesdays in Lent at St Mary, the Stations are on Fridays in Lent after the praise you.” 5:30 pm. The Stations at followed by our Parish 9 am Mass. St Augustine are led by the Soup Suppers.

S a c r a m e n t o f P e n a n c e (C o n f e s s i o n) i n L e n t

Two Lenten Penance Services will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 19, at 2 pm and 6:30 pm, at St Augustine Church. Confessors will be available for every sort of sin and sinner! Inner Satisfaction and Peace of Heart and Mind Guaranteed! Confessions are heard at St. Augustine every Saturday, 4:00–4:30 pm. Confessions are heard at St. Mary every Sunday in Lent, following the 11:15 am Mass. R C I A in L e n t In the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), those who are unbaptized prepare to enter the through Baptism. At some point in their RCIA journey they have been accepted into the Order of Catechumens. In Lent, those Catechumens who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil begin their final preparations. At the start of Lent they participate in the Rite of Election. The bishop, in the name of the Church, announces the names of those Catechumens who will receive the Easter Sacraments, and their names are written into the Book of the Elect of the Archdiocese of Seattle. With that, they become the Elect. Our parish Catechumens, with family members, sponsors and other parishioners, will celebrate the Rite of Election with Bishop Eusebio Elizando at St Joseph Center, Mt. Vernon, on March 7. Then, on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, the Elect will present themselves at the Vigil Masses for the Scrutinies. In the Scrutinies, our parish prays for our Elect, that in preparation for Easter Baptism they will be purified from sin and strengthened in their resolve to follow Jesus Christ—just as the Samaritan woman, washed clean from sin, found Jesus to be the Water of Life (Gospel of the 3rd Sunday of Lent), the man born blind, given his sight, found Jesus to be the Light of the World (Gospel of the 4th Sunday in Lent), and Lazarus, raised from the dead, found Jesus to be the Resurrection and the Life of the World (Gospel of the 5th Sunday of Lent).

T h e T r i d u u m The Triduum—the Three Days that are One Day—marks the Passion, Death, and Glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Triduum is one continuous feast, beginning with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and concluding with Easter Sunday. Our life as Christians flows out of the events of the Triduum, the Paschal (Passover) Mystery in which the world “passes over” with Jesus from death to life. Join us on the Triduum journey, at these liturgies: Holy Thursday, April 17, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 pm at both St Augustine and St Mary. At both churches, the Washing of Feet, at Jesus’ command, takes place during the Mass. Please bring your Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl offerings for the Procession of the Gifts. At the end of Mass at both churches, we will carry the Blessed Sacrament in procession to the Altar of Repose in the parish halls—the sign of the arrest and powerlessness of Jesus, delivered into the hands of sinners for our sake. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday continues until 10 pm. Adoration is a time to spend with Jesus who is present to us in the Blessed Sacrament, as we “stay with him one hour”, recalling the watch in the Garden of Gethsemane. [Matthew 26:40] Good Friday, April 18 (Day of Fast & Abstinence), St Augustine, Stations of the Cross, 3 pm, to mark the hour of the death of Christ, followed by Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, 7 pm. This liturgy includes the Adoration of the Holy Cross and the distribution of Holy Communion. Good Friday is the only day of the year that Mass cannot be celebrated, because Christ, the Source of the Sacraments, enters into the mystery of Death. We depart in silence. St Mary, Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, 12:10 pm, Stations of the Cross, 3 pm. The Easter Vigil, April 19, 8:30 pm, St Augustine. We begin with the lighting of the Easter Fire in the courtyard between the church and the parish hall (in case of inclement weather, we begin in the hall). We recount the unfolding story of God’s plan to save the world, climaxing in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We baptize and confirm our Elect, and all the baptized join in the Renewal of Baptismal Promises, the culmination of the Lenten journey. Easter Sunday, April 20, St Augustine, Easter Mass, 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am. St Mary, Easter Mass, 11:15 am. The Renewal of Baptism Promises, the culmination of the Lenten journey, is celebrated at all Masses. Staons of the Cross ary & Soup Night St. M Tuesdays beginning on March 11th Our next meeng held in May. We ask Staons begin at 5:30pm will be on Thursday, you to start saving followed by Soup March 6th aer the your items for the 12:10pm Mass. sale. Sign-up (in Harrington Hall) to make and bring There will be a Join us at the soup on a Tuesday during Lent. presentaon by the meeng and bring Educaon your ideas for other Breakfast of scram- coordinators. fundraisers. bled eggs and bis- We will be Bring your lunch to discussing the eat during the cuits & gravy, will be upcoming Indoor meeng. served—Sunday, Garage Sale that is Thank You March 9th aer Mass by the Knights of Columbus. The Knights will grate- fully accept your donaons which will SAVE THE DATES! go to Right to Life Charies. April 10, 11 & 12 Life Touch is coming to St Mary for a The Lile Black Book — new pictorial directory. Fill out and Six minute meditaons on return to the office or collecon the Passion according to Mahew basket, the insert that indicates in March 2nd—Easter Sunday Are available in Harrington Hall, what area you would like to help. for your $1 donaon per book. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS First Confessions will be on TODAY, after the 11:15am Mass. Parents of the candidates making their First Confessions are encouraged also to receive the Sacrament to join in solidarity with their children on this important spiritual rite of passage. There will be a reception in the Parish Hall afterward.

Teen Field Trip Today: All R.E. Teens attending the Field Trip today to the Movie “Son of God” this afternoon in Oak Harbor, must have their parents complete a Diocesan Parent/Guardian Permission Form before the students can leave for the trip. Copies of this form are available today after church. Meanwhile, all Teens relying on riding with Pat Marks or John Hartley, need to be at the Parish Hall at 3 PM today.

Parents of First Communicants must attend the morning retreat at St. Augustine in Oak Harbor on Saturday, March 15 th , 9:30-11:00 am. Among other things covered at the retreat, the parents will be getting the felt materials for each child’s family to help make his or her First Communion banner that will be hung up in the church on the special day.

Our parish YOUTH will be leading the Stations of the Cross twice during Lent. On March 25th th , the Young People’s Religious Education Program students, grades 7 th through 11 th , will lead the Stations of the Cross and host the Soup Supper in the parish hall. On April 8th, the R.E. children ages pre-kindergarten through 3 rd grade will be leading the Stations Tuesday. On the same night, the R.E. children’s parents and volunteers are asked to bring dishes published in the Operation Rice Bowl guide to the soup supper. Plus, the First Holy Communion Class will supply the bread to symbolize that they will soon be breaking bread with the rest of the parish upon their First Communion .

Operation Rice Bowl: Each child will be given a cardboard rice bowl to take home. We will be collecting the Rice Bowls on Palm Sunday. The amount the children give is not nearly as important as teaching them the of almsgiving. The children will also be viewing, during Catechism’s General Assemblies on Sundays at Lent, a few video reports on the lives of poor people who benefit from this program world wide.

RYAN’S HOUSE NEWS: At the present, Ryan’s House only needs new underwear, sports bras (small to X -large) & socks for the homeless teens. At any time they will also accept donations of gift cards for stores such as Payless Shoes or WalMart. Also, you may donate personal hygiene items like deodorant, soap, toothpaste and brushes, feminine hygiene items, etc. If you wish further information regarding Ryan’s House and their program feel free to contact 360-331-4575.

Life Principles Academy

Pro-Life Training Conference

This exceptional course about common principles of living was originally for teachers, and has now been adapted for students too. -YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU CAME-

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2014 Time: 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Location: St. Mary Parish, Fr. Auer Center 4001 St. Mary’s Drive, Anacortes, WA Presented by: Camille Pauley -President, Healing the Culture -REGISTER ONLINE IN THE CONVENIENCE OF YOUR HOME- Cost: $39 (includes light lunch, free parking & useful materials worth $70) $15 for St. Augustine, Oak Harbor and St. Mary, Coupeville High School students and young adults to age 21. (Online - click on the student discount)

Will give you the intellectual tools to help build a just and fair society where social justice and the rights of all are protected. Read a review of the 10 Principles at: http://www.calltoholiness.us/2012/01/22/ten-universal-principles/

Learn how to talk to your kids, colleagues, and cohorts about why you are pro-life using wit, logic and unassailable truth!

Presented by: Hosted by:

St. Mary’s Respect Life Committee

ONLINE Registration : www.healingtheculture.com (425) 481-6563 M A R C H 2 N D , 8 T H S U N D A Y I N O R D I N AR Y T I M E PASTORAL CARE

CATHOLIC GIFT STORE FAITHFAITH MOBILEMOBILE ON WHEELS AT Bibles * Catechisms * Children’s Books ST. AUGUSTINE Crucifixes * Rosaries * Books * Artwork Perfect for First Holy Communion, Baptism, MARCHMARCH 9,9, 99 AMAM--1:301:30 PMPM Confirmation, Wedding Gifts

EVERYONE INVITED GIVE A MEANINGFUL GIFT...GIVE A CATHOLIC GIFT

QUIET DAY AT ST. MARY

An opportunity to have There is sll me to join a St. time for prayer, silence, Augusne small group this Lent. and reflection during We sll have room in Friday’s Lent 10:00am and 6:30pm groups Call 675-2303 At St. Mary, Coupeville on For St. Mary’s small group, call the office at 678-6536 Saturday 29th March

If you or anyone you know is in We will begin at 9:30 am and need of the Sacrament of the finish at 3:30 pm. Eucharist or the Sacrament of Anointing , Bring a Bible and a lunch. let us know by calling the office Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. March 2014 Catholic Community of St. Augustine and St. Mary Rev. Paul Pluth, Pastor Plunge into the desert during Lent

Humans are doers. When faced with rewarded by God’s grace to begin to a problem, we want to make a list, live differently. St. Patrick clean it up, or put on a fresh coat of Escape distractions. God often sent Born in Scotland, St. paint. But during his best prophets Patrick was kidnapped Lent, it’s not into the desert to as a teenager and enough to give prepare for brought to 5th up a favorite important tasks century food or drink he chose for Ireland as a slave and call it a them. Consider to a warlord. He season. That’s Lent your trip to worked as a little more the desert. There shepherd for six years before he than a thin coat are minimal escaped. Back home, he of paint. Lent is distractions in the became a priest and returned to when we can do desert – no electronics, the land of his captivity as battle with sin in no fancy food, no daily a missionary. While many our lives, eliminate concerns. Just you and God. legends are told about him, it, and greet Easter as Create a Lenten desert by it is enough to say that St. creatures born anew. removing as many distractions as are Patrick eventually became Do battle daily. practical during the season. bishop of Ireland and is Determination to avoid sin and Take the long view. Life can be credited for having established embrace virtue is a war that requires difficult and painful but it won’t last the Church there. daily battle. Start in Lent by forever. Life in Heaven will. Eliminate committing to new prayer habits for whatever you may have chosen to A hearty welcome morning, afternoon, and evening make this life bearable if it distracts Welcome is part of our prayer. Stay faithful and you will be from your goal of Heaven. Christian life. We are asked to extend a warm welcome to anyone who may be new or unfamiliar to our parish church. Jesus said, “whoever How do we welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes define “neighbor"? the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). The Catechism of the Catholic residence in our country. Our choice Church teaches that our Anyone who is baptized is a “I would rather be neighbor is someone fellow child of our a doorkeeper in the whose origins we mother the Church and house of my God, know and who shares our spiritual origin. than to dwell in deserves particular And every person is another the tents of the attention. This includes child of God. wicked” our relatives since they By all these definitions, we are (Psalm share our origins. Fellow responsible for looking after anyone 84:11). citizens share who needs our help or care.

© Copyright 2014 Success Publishing & Media, LLC March 2014 Page 2 The Eucharistic Dance

The celebration of Mass is not confined to our recently has come to show adoration. Thus we minds, hearts, and voices, but is meant to involve kneel for the Eucharistic prayer. our bodies as well. Like a joyful dance, each Sitting. We sit for the pre-Gospel readings and posture is significant and has meaning. the homily in a posture of listening and meditation. Standing. Standing is a sign of respect, so we Bowing. In our culture a bow usually expresses stand when the celebrant – representing Christ – reverence and honor, and the bishops have decided that enters and leaves. We also stand for the Gospel, and the we are to bow before we receive Communion. bishops of our country decided to have us stand when Note: for more information ask your parish priest or receiving the Eucharist. refer to Postures and Gestures at Mass, available from Kneeling. From the early days of the Church, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, kneeling has been a gesture of penance but more (202)542-3000, www.usccb.org.

John 9:1-41, Who goes to A blind man sees the truth Purgatory after death? God’s power is so great that he can willingness to find God. The Pharisees take ordinary materials like dirt and were so anxious to hold on to their Sincere repentance includes a desire to water and perform miracles. positions that they made silly repair the damage done by our sins. A blind man came to Jesus conclusions such as, That may or may not for healing and Jesus if this man were be complete before made a paste out of clay from God he we die. The Catechism and saliva and spread it wouldn’t heal on the of the Catholic Church on the man’s eyes. Then Sabbath. In fact, they teaches that, “All who die he encouraged the man to led people away from in God's grace and wash to cleanse the dirt from Jesus – a very serious friendship, but still his eyes so he could see. error. imperfectly purified, are indeed assured Sometimes God makes us The man believed in of their eternal salvation; but after death uncomfortable before revealing Jesus because he saw they undergo purification, so as to his truth to us. the truth and believed achieve the holiness necessary to enter This miracle sent the Pharisees into in it. When we seek the joy of heaven” (1030). The Church a tizzy and this is how we can tell that God sincerely with a calls this final purification, “Purgatory,” they were false shepherds. Seekers of willingness to obey him, he will since this is our last chance to be purged the truth ask questions sincerely, with a always lead us to the truth. of our sins. There is suffering during this purification because the souls in assessed the odds against winning the Purgatory long to be with God, but there war and turned back out of concern for is also joy. Purgatory is a sure stepping his troops. He resolved never to be stone to Heaven. involved in war again. What is important is that we recognize March 3 - St. Katharine Drexel March 5 - Ash Wednesday. To mark Jesus’ power over our eternity. When the (1955). A Philadelphia heiress, St. the first day of Lent, ashes from the world ends at the Final Judgment, there Katharine Drexel gave up her fortune to burnt palms of the previous Passion will be only two possibilities: Heaven become a nun. She established 50 Sunday are blessed and placed on or Hell. We who celebrate Jesus’ missions for Native Americans in 16 foreheads as a sign of Resurrection look forward to sharing in states and founded Xavier University in penance. that victory, and we pray that our loved New Orleans, the first university for March 19 - St. Joseph ones may do the same. African-Americans in the U.S. (first century). Husband

March 4 - St. Casimir (1483). Born a to the Blessed To provide practical ideas that promote prince of Poland, St. Casimir was Mother, St. Joseph faithful Catholic living. endowed with a very strong conscience is a model of Success Publishing & Media, LLC Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ by a great teacher, John Dlugosz. When fatherhood and (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax his father sent him to take over a protector of http://www.growinginfaith.com (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from Hungary, fifteen-year-old Casimir families. the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) © Copyright 2014 Success Publishing & Media, LLC Lent 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday “Lent is the liturgical season of forty days which begins with Ash Ash Wednesday Start a prayer book It is our Christian March 5 (a day of fast and abstinence) 6 7 8 Choose for your Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery and record those for responsibility to Lenten sacrifice Wear ashes today as a sign (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary penitential season in the whom you pray or for abstain from meat on something that will truly that you are seeking both Church’s liturgical year, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the what you pray. Also keep Fridays during Lent as a challenge you. desert in fasting and prayer” (Catechism of the Catholic Church). forgiveness and eternal life track of how God answers form of penance. from Christ. your prayers. Read the seven Pope Benedict once The Bible teaches us Grow in faith by Support your parish’s The season of Lent 9 After Mass today, 10penitential psalms in the 11 said, “We are not 12 to deny ourselves and 13 believing that God is 14 special Lent collections, 15 is solemn. Read go to breakfast with Old Testament book of owners but rather give instead to those there for you. Pray whether it is the Matthew 26 and 27 to other parishioners from Psalms that express remorse administrators of the goods in need. Read Matthew about what worries you Bishop’s Lenten campaign, gain a true understanding church. for sins: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, we possess.” Find a way to 6:1-4 to learn more about and know that God will take Operation Rice Bowl or a of the magnitude of Jesus’ 130 and 143. share what you have. sacrificial almsgiving. care of it. mission collection. sacrifice. Jesus was killed Look for someone Root out anger from When older people Attend a “Stations of To avoid sin, one 16 Go to Mass early 17 despite his innocence. 18 who has fallen on 19 your heart and bring 20 become less active, 21 the Cross” service if 22 must understand so you can take Pray a Rosary for all hard times and send in kindness. Do one they can also become your parish offers one. If not what God expects. a drive to visit a unborn children so they don’t an anonymous card with a small thing for someone forgotten. Visit a senior you read through them here: Refresh yourself on the friend you haven’t seen in suffer the same fate through cheering message and a today to show God reigns in know, take one to lunch, and http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/ 10 Commandments in a long time. abortion. grocery store gift card. your heart. just listen. devotionals/stations-of-the-cross/index.cfm. Genesis:20.

Make Sunday Consider making Mother Teresa once Jesus taught us Pray the Chaplet of Becoming more aware today a day of fasting. said, there is a terrible to serve others. Divine Mercy, given Lent is a demanding of sin helps to avoid 23 special. Invite 24 25 26 27 28 time for parish 29 friends and neighbors When you feel hungry, hunger for love. “The poor Do one nice thing for to the world through St. it. Make a list of all you do remind yourself of those for you may have right in your someone today without the Faustina to help repair the priests. Call your parish office today putting what would over for a potluck brunch to offer extra support or help. after Mass. whom hunger isn’t a choice. own family. Find them. Love expectation of thanks or hurt caused by sin. Find it at please God in one column them.” appreciation. www.usccb.org. and what wouldn’t in another.

Go to a later Mass Spend time before the Perform Corporal Works Consider giving Show Jesus you Perform an examination 30 31 Eucharist in prayer and 1 April 2 of Mercy during Lent: feed 3 more time to God by 4 5 so you can wake up God made Eve so that Adam are willing to carry of conscience and seek slowly, have a leisurely adoration. If there is no the hungry, shelter homeless, volunteering in your parish. your cross by tackling healing in the Sacrament of adoration chapel close by, would not be alone. What clothe the naked, visit the sick, Take action to join the choir breakfast and enjoy a good can you do today to be a something difficult you’ve Reconciliation today. book. find time when the church is visit the imprisoned, give drink or become a lector, usher or been putting off. open to be with Jesus. good friend to someone? to the thirsty, bury the dead. Eucharistic Minister.

Enjoy beauty. After Mass, Ask St. Thérèse of Deny yourself Evaluate your day. Did Turn off the TV, Children are the future Light a candle to 6 stop by a store and pick 7 Liseux to inspire you to 8 something you would 9 you add to someone’s 10 computer, or other 11 of the Church. Explore 12 represent the light up some flowers to cheer show “little ways of love” to like to buy. Then, give the sense of peace today? Did electronics for 30 ways to support your parish Jesus brought to the world. up your home. those around you today. money you saved to the you do anything to take minutes today. Offer this time religious education program Let the light dwell in you by poor. peace away? to God in prayer or reading or youth group. spreading the good news of the Bible. salvation to others. Early Christians visited Jesus suffered and Add prayer to your day Pray today and each Today is Good Friday, Use your Palm Sunday seven basilicas in died so that we would 13 14 by praying the Rosary 15 day this week for the 16 Pray for someone 17 18 a day of fasting and 19 palms to make a cross Rome on Holy Thursday have hope. Today, or Chaplet of Divine Mercy catechumens coming into you know who is facing a abstinence. to place in a prominent area as a pilgrimage. Make a make a list of everything for during your commute today, the Church at the Easter challenge. Read and compare all four in your home or car. pilgrimage to churches in which you have hope in this while waiting in line, or Vigil. Gospel accounts of the during your lunch hour. your area today. passion and death of Jesus. life and the next.

© copyright 2014 Success Publishing & Media, LLC If you would like to memorialize a hymnal please provide the information on the form below. It is a likeness of the actual memorial plate that will be placed in the front of each book.

Memorializing a hymnal is a wonderful way to remind us to pray for someone. And not only would you be praying for this individual, but anyone who opens that hymnal would see that individual’s name, and could also offer a prayer for him or her.

The cost to memorialize a hymnal is $20.

You can place your Memorial donation along with the memorial plate information in your parish envelope, or in a blue and white envelope which are in the pews and at the parish office.

Donation envelopes can be returned to the parish office, or in the offertory collection at our weekend liturgies.

Please cut along the dotted line and include the memorial information along with your donation.