February 11, Are You *Radical Enough for Lent?

Transcription

1 February 11, 2018 Are You *Radical Enough for Lent?

2 Saint Paul is direct: Put all of these things away (3:8), and don t pick them up again. You have taken off the old self with its practices (3:9). Starting Ash Wednesday, put away all those things in your life that are not of Christ. For all of Lent, do not pick them up again. Difficult? Definitely. Effective? More than you can imagine! Radical? To be sure. The word radical comes to us from the Latin word radix, meaning a root (think of a radish, which is a root), and it s a perfect description for what the 40-day season of Lent can be: radical that is, taking us to the root of who we are. What do you expect to find at the root of your being? Your sins? All that you ve hidden over the years? The joys and hurts of a lifetime? Those things are part of you, but they are not at the root. Go deeper still, and find the deepest reality about yourself: it is perfect love that called you into being, perfect love that has guided and guarded you through life, and perfect love who longs to spend eternity with you. We try to substitute other things, but in the end they are no real substitute for the truth of who we are at our roots. Nothing less satisfies us. Are you radical enough to embrace the 40 days of Lent, so as to let the Lord take you to the root of your being? Saint Paul gives us the framework of a challenge which I hold out to all of us for the 40 days of the Season of Lent. To be clear, the challenge is simple: take these 40 days seriously and show it by how you live your life. What s the heart of Paul s message? Read his letter to the Colossians 3:3 You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Here is my challenge as pastor: for 40 days, die to ordinary living and live an extraordinary life, hidden with Christ in God. Don t compromise the Season of Lent: live it all or nothing, black or white, hot or cold. Read the whole letter to the Colossians; it s a brief letter. Saint Paul gives very strong guidance. It s our GPS for Lent, as though telling us to turn right or go straight: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3). How do we this? It is a conscious process of making concrete and specific decisions throughout Lent. Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). This Lent our parish has events planned to guide and support us in this journey. The highlight will be a Parish Mission starting Palm Sunday weekend and leading into the Sacred Triduum, the events of Jesus self-offering to Our Father. Holy Week will be a truly special time for our parish. Block off these dates in your calendar now: March Our Parish Mission will be Sunday through Wednesday, March 25, 26, 27, and 28. February 24 To help get ready for that mission, and to enter more deeply into the mysteries of Jesus self-offering, we have two events planned on Saturday, February 24. The first is a parish pilgrimage to the replicas of the Holy Land shrines, at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington DC. Led by Father Paul Schenck and me, it will include several reflections and Mass with the Eucharistic Prayer in Hebrew. That will prepare us for the evening event: a Seder meal led by Father Paul Schenck, to which all are invited: Bring a friend who is not Catholic to introduce them to the roots of the Mass.

3 Opportunities for Prayer Another major thing to help us all with prayer in Lent is this: Our chapel will be open 24 hours a day for private prayer. Use the main Narthex doors at any time day or night. Don t forget our Friday Stations of the Cross and Mass, starting at 7pm, and stop in Father Waldron Hall beforehand for a fish dinner with friends. The Detox Season I challenge you to take 40 days to detox from the habits that weigh you down in ordinary life, admitting that this season of grace is not ordinary life if we take our faith seriously. Let s decide consciously and deliberately that we will make this season extraordinary. Here are the specifics of the challenge of living a life hidden with Christ in God through the Season of Lent. Are you radical enough to leave a few things of comfort behind in order to discover something deeper about yourself? If you detox on some habits in life, how will you use your time? God will take you deeper! I challenge you to these 7 disciplines, and I ll be doing these things too. It s only for 40 days! 1. Don t go online or access the internet for any reason other than (a) work or school, or (b) vital family communications, or (c) to visit a known spiritual resource. Don t go online for any other reason. 2. Don t turn on the television or radio except for 15 minutes of news and weather daily. When you drive, listen to a CD from the stewardship bookcases in our Narthex remember, no radio! 3. Take fasting seriously. Don t just deny yourself some comfort food, but fast from all the ways you usually spend your money: don t eat or buy anything that s not absolutely necessary. However, don t ever endanger your health by fasting; if in doubt, check with your doctor first. 4. Double up on your tithing to the Church during Lent. 5. Read the Bible or do spiritual reading every day. Need a place to start? Take a book from the stewardship bookcases in our narthex and reflect on a few passages each day. 6. Take a walk or do some exercise every day. Every day. 7. Go to confession at least once during Lent. If you fail in any of these things, reboot immediately and start again without compromise. What will happen at the end of Lent? Saint Paul tells us: Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15) There's one more thing that Saint Paul considers essential to living a new lifestyle: to teach and admonish one another (3:16). You and I can rationalize almost anything, so we need some encouragement and accountability, even in the Christian life. Have you noticed that almost everything we are doing in our parish is oriented toward the small group experience? Take a look at the parish calendar and see what interests you. Pretty radical, isn t it? Are you up to it for the 40 days of Lent? I guarantee that this program of detox from ordinary living will bring you deeper into yourself, to the root of who you are as a beloved daughter or son of God.

4 WHERE DO I FIT IN? Looking for a parish connection? This week, here are some activities that might be a fit for you Our loving Caregivers Support Group meets Monday at 1:30 pm. Come to be refreshed as you cope with winter and care for your loved one. Our Parish Shawl Ministry continues its quiet good work on Tuesday at 7 pm. Feel the warmth! And next Sunday, join us at 3 pm for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, with Exposition and Benediction. THERE WILL BE NO CCD CLASSES on Sunday February 18, or Monday February 19. CONGRATULATIONS to the 46 students who celebrated the Sacrament of Penance for the first time on Saturday, February 10. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for their First Eucharist on Saturday, April 28. CONFIRMATION PRAYERS We are invited to pray as a parish for the students in our Confirmation class. Please pick up a prayer card with a candidate s name at the back of the church. If you wish to send cards to the student you are praying for, please drop them off at the parish office between now and the date of Confirmation, April 12. FAITH MATTERS MORNING JOIN US! On Ash Wednesday, February 14, in the Bayley Room after the 9 am Mass, we continue our study with The Last Supper, and the Advocate scheduled for last week, which turned out to be a snow day. Contact: Mel Lee, melmolee@reagan.com. BABY DIAPERS AND WIPES DRIVE The weekend of February 24 and 25, our Columbiettes will be collecting these much-needed items for Lourdeshouse and Morning Star Pregnancy Centers. Clip coupons and check out bargains now so you can donate generously!! THE COLUMBIETTES WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME their newest members: Ginny Mizrahi, Renee Campbell, Jill Cohn, and Laurie Rakocy. Ladies, if you are a practicing/practical Catholic and are interested in finding out more about the Columbiettes or in joining, please contact Kaitlin Bonner, kaitlin.bonner20@gmail.com. EGG MAKING SCHEDULE CHANGE Join us in Menniti Hall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Online signup for making and selling can be found at bit.ly/ StEASEasterEggs. Contact: Donna , donna@steas.net. Here are the revised report times for the different tasks. Mixers 7:30 am; Rollers, Weighers, Melters, Runners 9:30 am; Dippers, Coaters 10:00 am; Labelers, Baggers 10:30 am. NURSERY COORDINATOR Kristen Morrow s last day in this role is February 16, and the parish offers its warmest thanks for her many years of service! As we say goodbye to Kristen, we welcome Danielle Weber who will be filling this very important role. If you are interested in volunteering in the nursery please contact Danielle, duhazie@hotmail.com. SPIRITSWORD There will be no class for Spirit Sword on Sunday, February 18. Class will resume on February 25 with Who Am I To Judge? Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love, by Edward Sri. Contacts: Denny and Chris Rowe, fx77fxe@gmail.com; Amy Rodgers, amycdid@yahoo.com SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We wish to thank ACCORD RESTORATION for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.

5 MON Lv 13:1-2, 44-46; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11: 1 Cor 10:31 11:1; Mk 1:40-45 TUE Jas 1:12-18; Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19; Mk 8:14-21 WED this week at StEAS MON 12 TUE 13 WED 14 THU 15 FRI 16 SAT 17 SUN 18 Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, THU Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 9:22-25 FRI Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 SAT Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Lk 5:27-32 SUN Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15 CELEBRATE VALENTINE S DAY FEBRUARY 13! Ash Wednesday (the 14th) begins a holy season it takes priority! Mardi Gras is the day for parties and dinners! 8:00 am 1:30 pm 7:30 am 7:30 am 7:30 am 9:30 am 8:30 pm 4 7:30 pm Agape Homeschool Caregivers Support Group CCD Grades 1,2,3,5,6 Edge Make-up Classes Gospel Reflection Groups Easter Egg Making That Man Is You! Zumba Fitness American Heritage Girls Trail Life Columbiettes Meeting (rosary 6:20) Parish Shawl Ministry Ash Wednesday Easter Egg Making Faith Matters Morning Adult Open Gym Saint Joseph Leisure Club Zumba Toning Seasons of Hope Life in the Spirit (rosary 6:30) Choir Rehearsal Lenten Fish Dinner Stations of the Cross Mass Bishop s Annual Lenten Appeal 6:30 am That Man Is You! Confirmation Retreat Bishop s Annual Lenten Appeal No CCD Children s Liturgy of the Word 9:00 & 11:00 Masses 3:00 pm 8:00 pm Newman Club Brunch/Alpha Chaplet of Divine Mercy Kids Open Gym and Lego Club Let s Play Cards! 14 and Up Basketball 14 and Up Floor Hockey IN YOUR INTERCESSIONS, please pray for the repose of the soul of parishioner Edward Schane. SATURDAY FEBRUARY10 VIGIL, SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5:00 pm Donna Derr SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11 SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7:30 am Jenison and Cavanaugh Families * People of the Parish 11:00 am Philip Brenner MONDAY FEBRUARY 12 MONDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME NO MASS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13 TUESDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 6:45 am Morning Prayer 7:00 am Stephen Allan Radoci WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14 ASH WEDNESDAY 6:45 am Morning Prayer 7:00 am Marydel Clark 8:30 am Rosary Don Gleichman Joan Creavey THURSDAY FEBRUARY 15 THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY 6:45 am Morning Prayer 7:00 am Dale Moritz, Tyler and Gail FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16 FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY 8:30 am Rosary Special Intentions of the Grimme Family 7:30 pm Carl Lambert SATURDAY FEBRUARY17 3:00 pm Confessions VIGIL, FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 5:00 pm Ercol Acri SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 7:30 am People of the Parish * June Baum 11:00 am William P. Miller 2017 CONTRIBUTIONS Need a letter for taxes? Contact financial secretary Patty Wargo, pwargo@steas.net, * Choir at Mass

6 BISHOP S ANNUAL LENTEN APPEAL Bishop Gainer writes: Love for neighbor is a decision that we make to treat others with respect and concern, to put the interest and needs of our neighbors on a level with our own. Still, love demands a practical and concrete expression. This is exactly what our annual Lenten Appeal tries to demonstrate each year. While our individual parish demonstrates this love through many charitable efforts, we as Catholics rely on the programs of the Diocese to extend our reach in doing good. Please stop by Menniti Hall next weekend to make your pledge. COMING TO OUR SEDER? If you ve already signed up and have food allergies, please drop off a note at the parish office or with the Welcome Desk staff. Please be sure to label your dish to alert those who have any allergies, especially nut allergies, or sensitivities, such as gluten intolerance. Please bring serving utensils for your side dishes and label your utensils and dishes. Not yet registered? Download the form at or register online at bit.ly/steaspassover. First you ve heard of it? There s information with the online forms (above), or pick up a copy at Connections Corner or in the parish office. Deadline to register is Friday, February 16. The Seder itself is Saturday, February 24, at, with Father Schenck presiding. ORAL/VIDEO HISTORY RECORDINGS For the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Harrisburg, parishes are being asked to record brief (4- to 5-minute) memories from parishioners of parish events and events in their faith lives for posting online, sharing via social media and websites, and to be adapted by The Catholic Witness. Want to do a recording for the project? Want to help? Contact communications@steas.net. SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY Thanks to all in the parish who made soup and bought soup! Over 1,200 quarts of soup were made throughout the diocese. Our parish made 300 quarts the most from any parish. Proceeds from the nine selling parishes were $11, for the Shelters of Catholic Charities. We sold 211 quarts, raising $2,150, the highest amount by any participating parish. We were sold out after the 9 o clock Mass so the 11 o clock Mass folks missed out. Want to remedy that by helping to make more soup next year? Contact Tom Brenner, or TEB@goldbergKatzman.com. LENTEN PILGRIMAGE AND RETREAT We ve filled more than half of the 50 spaces available for this terrific February 24 retreat at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C., with Father Paul Chaim Schenck and Monsignor William J. King. We will carpool from the parish, leaving at 6:30 am, and returning around 5:30 pm. Bring a bag lunch. To register online, visit bit.ly/ StEASPilgrimage, or call Donna at any time; leave a message if the office is closed and we'll get back to you. Fee to cover expenses and retreat accommodations is $10 per person. TRIBUNAL SESSIONS ON MARRIAGE AND ANNULMENTS Upcoming area sessions include: March 12 Saint Joseph, York March 19 Cardinal Keeler Center, Harrisburg These sessions include presentations, group Q&A, and private conversations with Tribunal staff and representatives. For directions or a private appointment apart from these events, contact the Diocesan Tribunal at , ext. 304, or tribunal@hbgdiocese.org. GET OUR OWN PARISH E-NEWSLETTER It comes out once a week (we do special editions for weather and important announcements). Sign-up at or communications@steas.net.