Saint Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe & Saint Mary, Mother of God Partner Parishes of the Diocese of Greensburg Pennsylvania Charitable Trusts

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1 Saint Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe & Saint Mary, Mother of God Partner Parishes of the Diocese of Greensburg Pennsylvania Charitable Trusts "As baptized Catholics, we are called to continue the mission of Jesus Christ by sharing the Love of God." Contact Information Weekend Mass Times 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Saturday / Saturday / Sunday / Sunday / St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe 101 W High Street, PA Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m Noon Pastoral Staff The Reverend Douglas E. Dorula Pastor & Administrator ddorula@dioceseofgreensburg.org The Reverend Victor S. Baguna Sacrament of Reconciliation Parochial Vicar vbaguna@dioceseofgreensburg.org st 12:00 p.m. 1 Saturday / 12:00 p.m. 2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturday / Sacrament of Baptism St. Mary, Mother of God PO Box 327, 109 2nd Street, PA Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Reverend Alan W. Grote Regional Chaplain for Northern Armstrong County Staff Contact the parish office. Sacrament of Marriage Arrangements must be made with Father Doug at least one year in advance. Ministry to Sick and Homebound Contact the Parish Office if you or a family member would like to receive Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Parish Cemeteries St. Joseph & St. Mary Cemeteries Contact the parish office in. Sacred Heart & St. Mary Cemeteries Contact the parish office in. Staff Erika Dragunova Betty Rose Walker Administrative Assistant edragunova@dioceseofgreensburg.org Office Manager ewalker@dioceseofgreensburg.org Sandy Ashley Barbara Boltz, Financial Secretary Director of Liturgy & Music sashley@dioceseofgreensburg.org Joseph Kacprowski, Facilities Manager jkacprowski@dioceseofgreensburg.org James Gaggini Coordinator of Faith Formation jgaggini@dioceseofgreensburg.org Marilyn Brochetti, Business Manager Sandy Carlson, Office Assistant Larry Bandura, Maintenance bboltz@dioceseofgreensburg.org Bonnie Frailey Coordinator of Faith Formation bfrailey@dioceseofgreensburg.org Peggy Skamai, Organist mskamai@dioceseofgreensburg.org Bob Skamai, Choir Director Sandy Caresani, Sacristan Tom Caresani, Maintenance Helpful Phone Numbers Divine Redeemer Regional Catholic School St. Mary Parish Hall Rental, St. Mary/St. Gabriel Hall Rental, St. Vincent de Paul Helpline, Prayer Chain, Good Samaritan Ministry, Third Sunday of Lent ~ March 24,

2 Partner Parishes Liturgical Schedule Saturday, March 23 Vigil 4:00 p.m. Debra A. Ondo by Husband, Thomas A. Ondo 6:00 p.m. Helen Yuricek by Rose Marie Andryka Sunday, March 24 Third Sunday of Lent Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 9:00 a.m. Adam & Rose Abate by Michael & Kathy Abate 11:00 a.m. For All Living & Deceased Parishioners Monday, March 25 The Annunciation of the Lord Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1: :00 a.m. Bib & Mary Ellen Bowers by Mike Swartz & Family 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration in Tuesday, March 26 Lenten Weekday Dn 3:25, 34-43; Mt 18: :30 a.m. John Brochetti by Tony & Shirley Odosso Wednesday, March 27 Lenten Weekday Dt 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5: :00 p.m. Thursday, March 28 John & Frances Rizzo by Corina & Mike Rizzo Lenten Weekday Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11: :30 a.m. John Jack Nagy by Tom & Mary Ann McIlwain 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration in 6:15 p.m. Friday, March 29 Lenten Weekday Hos 14:2-10; Mk 12: :00 a.m. Living & Deceased Members of the Gaggini Family by Rose Freeman 12:05 p.m. 7:00 p.m. If salvation history teaches us anything, it's that God is very patient. Time and time again, people have wandered away from Him and He has sent prophet after prophet to lead them back. To show us just how much He does love us, He sent us His Son who revealed this unconditional love in all that he said and did. This Lenten season is an opportunity to repent and turn back. The mystery of God's presence is revealed in and through the ordinary events of life as the birth of Christ reminds us. God told Moses through the burning bush, "I am who am". And so he reminds us today. Let us turn away no more and turn back to truth. Please remember in your prayers the soul of parishioner Joseph L. Hagofsky as well as Allen McCrea, brother of parishioner Judi Berdell, who passed away last week. May God grant them eternal rest and peace. The Sanctuary Candle in is burning this week in memory of Howard J. Fritz, Jr. by Wife, Frances. The Tabernacle Candle in is burning this week in memory of Lillyanna Henry by Betty Priestas & Family. Saturday, March 30 12:00 Noon Sacrament of Reconciliation 4:00 p.m. Herman & Wanda Bertocchi by Children John, Michael, Cristiana & Robert 6:00 p.m. Georgiann Work by CD of A, Court St. Francis #1726 Sunday, March 31 Fourth Sunday of Lent Jos 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, :00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. In Thanksgiving for Mitzi Ellermyer s 87th Birthday by Children For All Living & Deceased Parishioners Easter Flower Memorials If you would like to make your Easter flower donation to church in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone special, please write their names on the outside of the Easter Flower offertory envelope which is included in your envelope packet. The list of the names of the loved ones with the names of donors will be published in the bulletin after Easter.

3 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Monday, March 25 is the Solemnity of The Annunciation of The Lord. The Church remembers when God came to Mary, through the Archangel Gabriel and chose her to be The Mother of God. We rejoice in celebrating Jesus coming as The Word made Flesh as a gift for us. Join us for Mass in at 8:00 a.m. The Lenten fish dinners in and the Lenten fish fry dinners in are doing very well with many people enjoying the dinners and many helping in this Lenten ministry. If you have not been to a dinner yet, make sure to come this week. Both of them take place on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In, we have two new members of pastoral council. Karen Kintz and Shirley Odosso will join the council in April. I want to welcome them to this leadership body in the parish and ask God to bless them. The 2019 DLA is off to a good start in both parishes. In, we are at $13, on our way to our parish goal of $52,000. In, we are at $8, on our way to our parish goal of $26,000. I ask each parish family to, as the campaign slogan says, "Open Your Heart to HOPE" and contribute to this annual campaign. Father Doug 2019 DIOCESAN LENTEN APPEAL Open your heart to HOPE, the 2019 Diocesan Lenten Appeal, helps HOPE grow. Go to dioceseofgreensburg.org/hope for a video of Bishop Malesic describing how the DLA grows our faith so we can share it with others. To make an online DLA donation to your parish, visit dioceseofgreensburg.org/hope. We are extremely grateful to all who took the opportunity to make their commitment to the 2019 Diocesan Lenten Appeal at Masses this weekend. If you were unable to make your commitment so far, please prayerfully consider making it this week. You may do so by mailing your pledge card directly to the Diocese of Greensburg by using the return envelope received, by dropping it off at the parish office, or by placing it in the offertory basket next weekend at Mass. You also have a convenient option of making your pledge online at Donate.DioceseofGreensburg.org.

4 St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish News CD of A Anniversary Dinner CD of A Anniversary Dinner Come and Pray at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Fridays of Lent 12:05 p.m. Led by Father Doug or Father Victor The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Patricia #998, will be having their anniversary dinner on Tuesday, April 16, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary Parish Hall,. The will be a delicious buffet dinner. The cost is $15. Please mail your reservation to Carol Toy at 744 North Grant Ave.,, PA by April 8. Hope to see all our members there! 7:00 p.m. Led by St. Mary Parish Youth Eucharistic Adoration Great Opportunity for Prayer this Lent GIVE YOUR GIFTS ONLINE THIS LENT! Mondays of Lent 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for more information or to sign up. St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Pray and meditate in the presence of Jesus. Slow down in this busy world. Receive God s graces. The Turning Point Lenten Study Program Continues... Mondays ~ March 25; April 1, 8, 15 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Saint Juan Diego Room/St. Mary Parish Hall It s not too late to join us. The Turning Point is a Bible study experience that s perfect for people who want to get to know Jesus in the Scriptures but don t know where to start. By entering into Bible stories, you will encounter Jesus in a personal way and develop a deeper relationship with Him that will transform your everyday life. Dessert Donations Appreciated! Many desserts are needed for each dinner. Please continue to drop off your desserts each Friday during Lent from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Parish Hall. If able, please bring your dessert earlier in the day, so we have sufficient time to cut it and prepare it for serving. Thank you for your support! Visit our parish website ww.stmarykittanning.org Your giving makes a difference! Ministerial Association Lenten Series 2019 The Ministerial Association is presenting a series of Lenten services for the community. The next evening service will be held Tuesday, March 26, at 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church, 334 Arch Street,. The speaker will be Rev. Mike Bobbitt. The next Lenten luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday, March 27, at Grace Presbyterian Church, corner of North Jefferson and Arch Streets,, the host church of all the luncheons. The message will be delivered by Father Doug Dorula of St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Cash Bash Tickets now available for purchase! Only 500 Tickets Sold! Don t miss out on this fun filled event which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at St. Mary Parish Hall,. You may purchase your ticket from CD of A, K of C or Catholic Men s Fellowship Members; at Lenten Fish Dinners; or get your ticket at St. Mary Parish Office Monday through Friday.

5 St. Mary, Mother of God Parish News Plan to Attend! Refresher Workshop Come and Pray at St. Mary, Mother of God Church For All Lectors of St. Mary, Mother of God Parish Tuesday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays of Lent This workshop for our lectors will be facilitated by Cindy Schillinger, Pastoral Associate and Director of Campus Ministry at St. Thomas More University Parish in Indiana. Lectors, please make every effort to attend this very important workshop during which we will review and refine our Lector practices. 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays of Lent at 6:15 p.m. THE MASS Lenten Video Series Continues Mondays ~ March 25; April 1, 8, 15 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Room Join us as we walk through the Mass with Bishop Barron and be transformed through this most privileged encounter with our Lord. See how at Mass we intimately joined with the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity through the Holy Eucharist. The Associates of Mary will hold their meeting on Tuesday, March 26, after the 8:30 a.m. Mass in the Sacred Heart Room. New topics will be discussed. Please remember to bring your donations for the Sisters. For more information, contact Shirley at CD of A, Court St. Francis Meeting The CD of A, Court St. Francis #1726 will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m. in St. Mary/ St. Gabriel Hall. Please note the time change of our meetings from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. for winter months. New members are always welcome! The next Shannock Valley Ministerium Community Lenten service will be held at NuValley Presbyterian Church, Rural Valley on Wednesday, March 27, at 7:00 p.m. Make sure to join us as Pastor Josh Webb presents the next Lenten theme. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome! Choir Rehearsals Lent ~ Easter Seasons The next Choir Rehearsal will be on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. Assistance is always needed on Thursdays after the daily Mass and at the Lenten Fish Fry Dinners. Please consider giving a little of your time to help with this important parish fundraising event. Online Giving by WeShare is now available to parishioners of St. Mary, Mother of God Parish. It is an easy and convenient way to save time and support our parish. Donating is simple, safe, and completely secure. With WeShare, you can set up a recurring weekly or monthly transaction using your checking, savings, or credit card account. You can decide how much to give to any collection and make changes anytime. Visit our parish website for more information and to sign up. Did you know your old shoes can help spread the Gospel? Through the month of March the Friends of Samaritan Purse are participating in a fundraiser where there is nothing to buy or sell. All we need is your support and your gently worn used shoes. The shoes will help support our program in Ghana, Haiti, & Bolivia. It is hard to believe that an estimated 600 million pairs of shoes go into America s landfills. The majority of these shoes can still be worn. The shoes that we collect will be kept from landfills and will help others in developing countries start micro-businesses that will create a sustainable income for their families and at the same time, raise much needed funds for our team. Please place your shoes in the container located in the narthex of the Church by March 31. Thank you in advance for your help and support. For further information or questions, please contact Mary Ellen Wilkinson at

6 St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe St. Mary, Mother of God Lenten Fish Fry Dinners LENTEN FISH DINNERS HELD FRIDAYS OF LENT Only 3 Dinners Left! March 29, April 5 & 12 4:00 to 7:00 PM St. Mary Parish Hall, Served Fridays during Lent JOIN US! St. Mary/St. Gabriel Hall from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Only 3 Dinners Left! March 29, April 5 & 12 OUR DELICIOUS DINNER MENU The menu choices are: YOUR CHOICE OF: Baked or Fried Fish, Seafood Platter, Fried Clams or Fried Shrimp. Fried Fish Filet, Fried Fish Sandwich, Baked Fish, or Fried Shrimp Baked Potato, French Fries or Homemade Mac & Cheese DINNERS INCLUDE: Cole slaw or apple sauce, roll & butter, beverage & dessert Takeouts Available! $10.00 eat-in/take-out $5.00 Kid s Meal (10 & under) Don t miss a chance to get a delicious Lenten meal! Dinners include: Baked Potato or French Fries; Cole Slaw; Bread; Coffee, Tea or Beverage. Takeout dinners available Call The cost is $10.00 for Adults and $5 for children under 12. Desserts extra. Join us for some great food and fellowship.

7 CASH BASH Vendor & Crafter Show Saturday, May 4 St. Mary Parish Hall, Doors open at 5 PM, Drawings 6 to 9 PM To Benefit Ministries of CD of A, Court Patricia #998; K of C, Council #1011; Catholic Men s Fellowship; and St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish $1000 Grand Prize Payout $3300 Total Cash Payout MULTIPLE CHANCES TO WIN! Winner need not be present Donation: $20 Additional Games of Chance and Chinese Auction Food, Beer and Pop Provided Must be 21 and purchase ticket in advance for admission. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR. Don t miss out on this fun filled event! Tickets now available for purchase - Only 500 tickets sold! You may purchase your ticket from CD of A, K of C or Catholic Men s Fellowship Members; at Lenten Fish Dinners; or at St. Mary Parish Office during the week.

8 Come and Be Renewed! Men s Ministry Team of the Diocese of Greensburg will host THE WELL 2019 Men s Conference Next Saturday, March 30 Greensburg Central Catholic High School The conference is designed to bring men closer to Christ by helping them explore topics through small group workshops, open discussions and prayer. It will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Malesic. The keynote speaker will be Mike McCoy, an Erie native who is a former Notre Dame and NFL star. It is not too late to register! Register at Sue Novosel from LPi, our bulletin printer, will be in our parish offices securing new ads for our bulletin. Please consider purchasing an ad, sponsoring a charity, or in Memory of a Loved One. Your participation makes our bulletin successful, and you attract customers! Sue Novosel snovosell@4lpi.com Relic Pilgrimage of St. Jean Vianney at Our Lady of Grace Parish April Hours for the Lord at St. Thomas More University Parish April Hours for the Lord was started in 2014 by Pope Francis as a way of encouraging each local church to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation, along with Eucharistic Adoration, available for a continuous period of 24 hours. 24 for the Lord will be held at St. Thomas More University Parish, Indiana, beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, April 5, through 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, featuring Praise and Worship Friday, April 5 from 8:30-10 p.m. For more information, please visit The national relic pilgrimage of St. Jean Vianney s incorrupt heart, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, will be at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg, April 17. The day begins at 9 a.m. with an opening procession and a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward C. Malesic. The schedule includes confessions, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-7 p.m.; rosary, 11 a.m.; midday prayer, noon; Way of the Cross, 2 p.m.; Divine Mercy Chaplet, 3 p.m.; Holy Hour for Vocations, 5:30 p.m.; solemn vespers, 7:30 p.m. and closing prayer and blessing by Bishop Malesic, 8:30 p.m. For information, go to kofc.org/vianney.

9 Stewardship of Treasure Weekend of March 16 & 17 St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Weekend Offertory Online Giving Total: $5, $ $6, Special Offertory Gift $5, St. Mary, Mother of God Parish Weekend Offertory Online Giving Total: $3, $ $3, Thank you for your support! Lenten Penance Services In Our Region Tuesday, April 2 St. Mary, Mother of God, at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6 St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, at 12:00 Noon Tuesday, April 9 St. Lawrence, Cadogan at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13 Christ, Prince of Peace, Ford City at 12:00 Noon Monday, April 15 St. Mary, Mother of God, Freeport at 7:00 p.m. Liturgical Minister Schedule - March 27-31, 2019 St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Date Wed., March 27 7:00 p.m. Altar Servers Extraordinary Ministers Of Holy Communion Bob Ashley Frank Battaglia Emily Kuntz Friday, March 29 Lector Roseann Rybicki 12:05 p.m...lector: Patty Swartzlander 7:00 p.m...led by Youth Sat., March 30 Antonio Magagnotti Christian Shuster 4:00 p.m. Bill Chemelli Helen Gispanski Carla Slanicka Carol Toy Mary Ann Galonski Andy Kamis Sun., March 31 Emily Kuntz Marcus Montebell 9:00 a.m. Sebastian Nelson Bob Ashley Marsha Caruso Dolores Croyle Cheri Kulbacki Dan Lorigan Cantor Greeters Megan McLafferty Cantor: Rick Kulbacki Jane Chemelli Megan McLafferty Evelyn Higginson George Visnesky Georgia Visnesky Dolores Croyle Chuck Jordan Sandy Jordan St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Date Altar Servers Thursday, March 28 at 6:15 p.m. Extraordinary Ministers Of Holy Communion Lector Cantor Greeters Servers: Brady Foster, Hunter Foster, Elliott Schaeffer Leaders: Good Shepherd Ministry Sat., March 30 Alyssa Lybarger Derek Lybarger 6:00 p.m. Mary Kay Palilla (T) JoAnn Clopp Rich Palilla Tami Bernot Rose Marie Andryka Lillian Moore Sun., March 31 Vince Harkleroad Kash Julius 11:00 a.m. Desiree Pennington (T) Betty Rose Walker Marlene Buffone Tami Bernot Carol Jablunovsky Stella Samosky

10 Sunday, Mar 24, 2019 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT When to be a quitter In playground rhetoric, a quitter is among the worst things to be. Even in adulthood, none of us wishes to cultivate a reputation for not following through on projects and promises. But sometimes it s good to quit, as any nicotine addict, alcoholic, or gambler will attest. How do we judge when to hold em, and when to fold em? Jesus promotes fruitfulness as the most reliable measure of an effort s viability. Holding on to a fruitless situation that does not respond to herculean efforts toward cultivation is a waste of life s soil. Contemplate what to preserve and what to prune. TODAY'S READINGS: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9 (30). So cut [this fig tree] down. Why should it exhaust the soil? Monday, Mar 25, 2019 SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD Do not be afraid Artist Henry Ossawa Tanner s painting of the Annunciation allows us to imagine the awesome exchange between Mary and the angel Gabriel in a new way. The light in the painting depicts the Divine messenger, but it is the look on Mary s face that reminds us of her humanity and makes us ponder our own. When the unexpected or the confusing complexity of life stops us in our tracks, when we do not understand, and when we feel afraid, it is God s promise to be with us and Mary s model of acceptance and trust that can console and lead and guide us. If there is a doubt, or a struggle to understand, or a fear of the unknown for you today, surrender your worries to Mary and ask for her help. TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 (545). May it be done to me according to your word. Tuesday, Mar 26, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY Lighten your load Forgiveness is one of those things that s easier said than done. Even after we ve reluctantly uttered the words, OK, you re forgiven, who among us hasn t secretly carried a grudge against our offender? Judging by the number of lawsuits filed each year, we aren t so good at forgiving our debtors or trespassers. But does forgiving from the heart, as we are called to do, mean we have to become everyone s favorite doormat? Hardly. It simply means that we accept the fact that others are as human and prone to folly as are we. Lent is the perfect season to practice forgiving from the heart. Give it a try you ll feel lighter when you no longer have to carry that grudge around. TODAY'S READINGS: Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Matthew 18:21-35 (238). Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you? Wednesday, Mar 27, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY School is in session In his sixth-century Rule, Saint Benedict, one of the founders of monasticism, described a monastery to be a school of the Lord s service. School may not be everyone s favorite place, but in the best sense of the term, a school is a good place to learn, and the Catholic tradition offers a number of them. The liturgy, for example, is a school for prayer think of all the different kinds of prayer in the Mass and also for life: You learn to make yourself a living sacrifice in communion with Jesus. Scripture, the saints, and the church s moral teachings also offer learning opportunities to explore. It s time to get some schooling! TODAY'S READINGS: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19 (239). Hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe. Thursday, Mar 28, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY How to be more prophet-able Many think of biblical prophets as people whom God gave the mysterious power to see into the future. Prophets, however, were not crystal-ball gazers who predicted what was to come. Most of the time they talked about the present their present and sometimes about the past as well. They focused on what the People of God were doing or not doing in their relationship with God. In bringing God s word to a situation, they called people back to God and showed them that God was still a guiding force in their lives. God summoned a long line of prophets to serve the Israelites, and there have been Christian prophets, too. A few prophets might even be around today. Hear any? TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23 (240). I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets. Friday, Mar 29, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY; DAY OF ABSTINENCE When will we forgive? Nobody likes a traitor. From Brutus to John Wilkes Booth to Judas, those who betray ultimate loyalties like patriotism or friendship seem beyond redemption. A deep bond also exists within families that can be trespassed or broken. In times of infidelity, mistreatment, severed trust, or divorce, it can seem that the idea of family itself has been lost. While people often don t feel the capacity to pardon violations, emotion plays only a part in the task of forgiveness. Forgiving is also an act of will, not only of feelings. God models the decision of forgiveness for us, allowing the healing to begin. Abstain from meat today and from withholding the healing power of forgiveness. TODAY'S READINGS: Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34 (241). I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. Saturday, Mar 30, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY Go ahead and ask While most of us do not commit obviously grievous sins, we still miss the mark regularly in subtle ways, for example, by being angry or self-righteous. Although it is not easy or comfortable to admit that we are not perfect, our spiritual well-being depends upon it. May our prayer today be that we are made aware of the times and ways we have sinned so that we can ask for God s mercy. For although God doesn t wait to be asked before forgiving us, we cannot receive that forgiveness if we haven t acknowledged our need for it. TODAY'S READINGS: Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14 (242). The tax collector prayed, O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow a day at a time 2019 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; mail@takefiveforfaith.com. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com. Free daily and app available online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe.