Sacrament of Reconciliation Times During Lent

Transcription

1 St. Joseph & Most Pure Heart of Mary Parishes Sacrament of Reconciliation Times During Lent Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. at MPHM Fridays, 8:00 p.m. (following Stations of the Cross) at MPHM Saturdays, 3:45 p.m. at MPHM Sundays, 7:30 a.m. at St. Joseph A SINCERE THANKS TO EVERYONE who donated food, donated time and energy and a very SPECIAL THANK YOU to Jules Willacker for chairing this event. Over $7, was raised for the family. Know they are very much appreciative. Many of you got to meet Adam and Shelly during the event. Adam was extremely tired when he left, said he was going home and nap! All of this is because our parish reached out to touch other people s lives! This is the Church! This is how we form community as the Body of Christ! Let us continue this momentum within our community family! With this enthusiasm, we can grow and become a model for others. 16 th ANNUAL CHOCOLATE LOVERS' BAKE-OFF This program is for adults and kids. There are 3 categories for adults they may enter 2 categories: Cakes, Cookies and Bars, Desserts Kids Category is anything-they may enter only one item. 2 prizes for each category. Pick up entry form and rules at the front desk. Entry form must be submitted by Feb. 20. Sponsored by the Friends of Marvin Memorial Library. For more information call or krystofikmml@gmail.com. BULLETIN DEADLINE: Mondays 10:00 a.m. for the upcoming weekend. Anything received after this time will be in the following bulletin. Watch for special deadlines during the holidays.

2 St. Joseph & Most Pure Heart of Mary Parishes Liturgical Calendar Monday, February 15 9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word & Communion at MPHM Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18; Psalm 19:8-10,15; Matthew 25:31-46 Tuesday, February 16 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph 9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word & Communion at MPHM Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34:4-7,16-19; Matthew 6:7-15 Wednesday, February 17 9:00 a.m. Mass at MPHM Prayers for George Rundag Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,18-19; Luke 11:29-32 Thursday, February 18 9:00 a.m. Mass at MPHM Prayers for Eileen Huggins 5:00 p.m. Reconciliation at MPHM 6:00 p.m. Holy Hour Esther C: 12,14-16,23-25; Psalm 138:1-3,7c-8; Matthew 7:7-12 Friday, February 19 9:00 a.m. Mass at MPHM Prayers for Steve & Gaylee Korbas 12:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross (Children) 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross at MPHM 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph 8:00 p.m. Reconciliation at MPHM Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130:1-8; Matthew 5:20-26 Saturday, February 20 5:00 p.m. Mass at MPHM Prayers for Walter & Gertrude Bishop, Theresa Leonhardt, Robert Chew Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-2,4-5,7-8; Matthew 5:43-48 Sunday, February 21 7:30 a.m. Reconciliation at St. Joseph 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Prayers for Lucille Howe 10:30 a.m. Mass at MPHM Prayers for Charles & Beda Phillips, The Arcudi Family, Bernie Leon & Kenny Miller, Larry & Lucy Fike Genesis 15:5-12,17-18; Psalm 27:1,7-9,13-14; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36 SLAM Youth Ministry News No SLAM this Sunday, February 14 th! Join us again next Sunday, February 21 st for a regularly scheduled SLAM from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Our Mental Health topic has been put on hold. Mark will join us later in March. Keep checking the bulletin for more details. Youth Praise Team practices this week February 17 th in the school from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Anyone in 7 th grade-college senior is welcome to join us. It's never too late! We will lead Mass Sunday, February 21 st. Deeper continues this Wednesday, February 17 th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the youth room for high schoolers! Bring some quarters for goodies! The youth room will be open for all 7 th - 12 th graders from 8:30-9:00 p.m. SLAM is going Ice Skating Saturday, February 27 th at The Cube in Findlay! We will meet in the youth room at 10:15 a.m. and stop for lunch in Upper Sandusky. Ice skating will be from 1:00-2:50 p.m. After skating we will return in time to attend the 5:00 p.m. Mass. You'll need $12-17 for this adventure. More details are avaliable at CCD, Deeper, SLAM and in the back of church. Sponsor of the Week La Campesina YEAR OF MERCY 24 Hours for the Lord and the Light is On As part of our observance of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy called for by Pope Francis, the Diocese of Toledo will be holding two diocesan-wide initiatives during Lent. On March 4 th and 5 th, a special time of prayer with opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, called 24 Hours for the Lord, will be held in certain designated parishes in each of our fifteen deaneries. Also, on the Wednesdays following this event, we will hold The Light is On campaign, wherein priest-confessors will be available in all the parishes of the diocese to hear confessions during the day and evening. Please visit the Diocese of Toledo s Year of Mercy website for more information:

3 St. Joseph s Parish News Sacraments BAPTISM: Contact Deacon Fred 1 month in advance. RECONCILIATION: Sunday before Mass, 7:30 a.m. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Notify Deacon Fred or Fr. Jim to arrange. COMMUNION: Contact Deacon Fred to be placed on the home bound lists. MARRIAGE: Please notify either Deacon Fred or Fr. Jim 6 months in advance. R.C.I.A.: Interested in the Catholic Faith? Contact the Parish office or Deacon Fred. MASS STIPENDS: St. Joseph s always accepts Masses for the deceased and special intentions. Please call Sharon on Tuesdays between 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. to schedule your Masses. Sunday, February :30 a.m. Greeter: Volunteers Eucharist: Jim Bond, Ashley Bond Servers: Charlotte Smith, Ivy Smith, Zeb Finnegan Lector: Jules Willacker Ushers: Bond Family Music: St. Joseph Choir Collection Counters: Doris Arnold, Eileen Eisenhauer, Randy Eisenhauer RICE BOWL COLLECTIONS: During the Lenten Season, we will be collecting your change for RICE BOWL Catholic Relief Services. This change will help feed starving children across the world. Join our parish, by throwing your pocket change in the basket located in front of the ambo, on a weekly basis during Lent. A simple gesture to help so many! NEW MINISTRY SCHEDULES MARCH/APRIL are being worked on. If you are not going to be available during this timeframe please let Sharon know either by stjoeplymouth@gmail.com or by phone on Tuesdays. We appreciate your help in all your ministries. If you would like to volunteer call as well. AS WE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD AT MASS how do we internalize and take the message into the world? If we come to Mass and do nothing with what we have heard or learned then we have missed the point! Our reason for attending Mass is to grow in our faith! Christ s presence in the Word and Eucharist feed us so we are empowered to take that message into the world, in our lives, our actions, and our conversations wherever those might take place. FINANCIAL REPORT February 7 Sunday Offering...$ 1, Food Pantry...$ Maintenance...$ 5.00 Technology...$ 5.00 Weekly Budget Needed For Year 2015/16 $1,500...$ Year Over/Under Budget...- $3, Attendance: 139 Happy BirthdaY Mary Alto, Jeremy Lybarger, Roger Alto, Barbara Gerber, Kara LeSage ENROLLING OUR ELECT: Today, Gregg Sigg is sent from our parish to the bishop to be enrolled as the Elect. Greg has been studying and looking at our Catholic faith over the past months with Alana walking the journey with him as his sponsor. Let us keep him in our prayers, as he continues his journey toward the full communion at the Easter Sacraments. MARK THE DATE--THE PLYMOUTH/SHILOH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL is sponsoring Dr. Steve Burgraff, Ph.D, LPCC-S, IMFT founder and CEO of Family Life Counseling and psychiatric services, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fr. Conces Hall on Feb. 25 th beginning at 2:30 p.m. The training will last approximately 3 hrs. This training will help those who wish to minister to families amidst crisis. A letter with a full explanation from the Plymouth/Shiloh Ecumenical Council is available to anyone who might be thinking of attending. Please see Deacon Fred for more information.

4 St. Joseph s Parish News & Upstairs Store Tuesday, February 16 10:00 a.m.-noon, Food Pantry (Shiloh) 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Upstairs Store (Plymouth) Thursday, February 18 5:00-7:00 p.m., Food Pantry (Shiloh) 5:30-7:00 p.m., Upstairs Store (Plymouth) PLYMOUTH/SHILOH ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERVICES will start here on February 17 th. Each Lenten Service begins with a dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. Service. Please plan to make this Lenten journey with our fellow Christians, recognizing God as our Savior! Date Place Homilist Feb St. Joseph- Plymouth...Pastor Linda Kaufman Feb Mt. Hope Lutheran- Shiloh...Pastor Linda Kaufman Mar. 2...United Methodist- Plymouth...Deacon Fred Stockmaster Mar. 9...First Presbyterian- Plymouth...Pastor Blanche Tyree Mar First Lutheran- Plymouth...Pastor John Grimm Mar United Methodist- Noon Shiloh...Pastor John Grimm Mar Easter Sunrise- First Lutheran Plymouth Mar Sunrise breakfast- First Presbyterian AS PART OF THE YEAR OF MERCY & LENT THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (PENANCE) will be available BEFORE SUNDAY MASS beginning approximately at 7:30 a.m. here at St. Joseph. SIGN UP FORTY DAYS FOR LIFE: The Rosary will be prayed at approximately at 8:10 before Mass. It will be prayed weekly during Lent. We need leaders to lead the rosary. Please sign up to lead the community in prayer for this important event, petitioning God to intercede for the sake of the unborn. LITTLE BLACK BOOKS LENTEN DEVO- TIONAL BOOKS are available for your journey through Lent. Pick one up at the doors of the church. V Fri., Feb. 12 th, Fish Fry 4:30-6:30 p.m., St. Mary School - Shelby V Fri., Feb. 12 th, Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m., St. Joseph s V Sun., Feb. 14 th, NO Altar & Rosary Meeting this month V Sun., Feb. 14 th, Rite of Sending 8:30 a.m. Mass St. Joseph; RCIA Rite of Election, Findlay St. Michael s V Tues., Feb. 16 th, Pastoral Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. V Fri., Feb. 19 th, Fish Fry, 4:30-6:30 p.m., St. Mary School - Shelby V Fri., Feb. 19 th, Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m., St. Joseph s V Wed., Feb. 24, Mt. Hope-Shiloh Ecumenical Service 6:00 p.m. V Thurs., Feb. 25 th, Psychological First Aid Training Dr. Steve Burgraff, St. Joseph 2:30 p.m. V Fri., Feb. 26 th, Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m., St. Joseph s V Wed., Mar. 2 nd, United Methodist Plymouth Ecumenical Service, 6:00 p.m. V Wed., Mar. 9 th, First Presbyterian Plymouth Ecumenical Service, 6:00 p.m. V Wed., Mar. 16 th, First Lutheran Plymouth Ecumenical Service, 6:00 p.m. V Thurs., Mar. 24 th, Holy Thursday, Feast of the Lord s Supper 7:00 p.m., MPHM V Fri., Mar. 25 th, Good Friday Service, St. Joseph, 1:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross approx. 2:30 p.m., St. Joseph V Sat., Mar. 26 th, Easter Vigil 8:00 p.m. MPHM V Sun., Mar. 27 th, Easter Mass 8:30 a.m. St. Joseph Easter Mass 10:30 a.m. MPHM WHEN WEATHER AFFECTS MASS If school (Plymouth or Shelby) is on a 2-hr. delay on Tuesday: We will still have the Mass as scheduled. If school is closed (Plymouth or Shelby) on Tuesday: There will be no Mass. Weekend Masses will only be cancelled if Richland or Huron Counties are on a level 3 emergency. If you feel the roads are unsafe for travel or the temperatures are too cold, there are Masses every day on EWTN at 8:00 a.m. & again at 12:00 p.m. We also have the daily readings in every bulletin located within the Liturgical Calendar section on page 3. Please stay safe and warm. EWTN is on the following channels: Time Warner Cable channel 50, DishNetwork channel 261, or DIRECTV channel 370.

5 Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish Sacraments BAPTISM: Call the Parish Office to set up an appointment. RECONCILIATION: 3:45-4:30 p.m. Saturdays, anytime by request. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Available on request. Call the Parish Office/Rectory at Same for visitation of the sick. COMMUNION: Contact the Pastoral Associate to be placed on the home bound lists. MARRIAGE: Arrange with a priest or deacon at least 6 months in advance. R.C.I.A.: Persons wishing to inquire about and/or joing the Catholic Church, call Parish Office. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: New parishioners--welcome. Please call the Parish Office to register. When changing address, please notify the Parish Office. Saturday, February 20, 5:00 p.m. Mass Lector: Mary Martin-Bandman Servers: Kyle Krystofik, Jesse Lauderbaugh, Eric Workman Eucharistic: Vincent Studer, Toni & Bill Anspach, Lisa Hiler, Kathy Combs, David Yetzer Ushers: Jim Yetzer, Tom Yetzer, Steve Stump, Michael Zappa Greeters: Bill & Toni Anspach, Barry & Trudi Britt Music: SpiritSong Sunday, February 21, 10:30 a.m. Mass Lector: Gabe Dannemiller Servers: Adam Niese, Oliver Wagner, Mary Wilkins Eucharist: Chuck Schiffer, Glenda Friebel, Julie Friebel, Bill Houseworth, Deanie & Todd Kehres, Beth Kurtzman Ushers: Ken Ensman, Ed Friebel, John Gies, Joe Gies Greeters: Lynelle Boyce, Veronica Dannemiller, 2 Volunteers Music: Youth Praise Team Collection Counters: Ed & Beth Kurtzman, Tom Payne Monday, February 15 5:30 p.m. 5/6 Basketball Practice--Gym 6:30 p.m. 3/4 Basketball Practice--Gym Tuesday, February 16 7:00 p.m. School Advisory Meeting--School 7:00 p.m. RCIA--Lower Level Meeting Room Wednesday, February 17 9:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl--Lower Level Meeting Room 5:30 p.m. Religious Ed. Grades 1-6--School 6:00 p.m. Youth Praise Team--School Music Room 7:00 p.m. Religious Ed. Grades 7 & 8--School Theology Room 7:00 p.m. DEEPER 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir--School Music Room Thursday, February 18 5:15 p.m. 3/4 Basketball Practice--Gym 6:00 p.m. Holy Hour--Lower Level 7:30 p.m. Disciples of Song--School Music Room Friday, February 19 4:30 p.m. Fish Fry Dinner--McFadden Hall Saturday, February 20 6:30 p.m. Jess Rath Dinner--McFadden Hall Sunday, February 21 6:30 p.m. SLAM--Youth Room

6 Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish WHEN WEATHER AFFECTS MASS & COMMUNION SERVICES If school is on a 2-hr. delay: We will still have the Communion Service or Mass as scheduled. If school is on a 2-hr. delay on Wednesdays: We will have Mass in the lower level of the parish office. If school is closed: There will be no Mass or Communion Service. Weekend Masses will only be cancelled if Richland County is on a level 3 emergency. If you feel the roads are unsafe for travel or the temperatures are too cold, there are Masses every day on EWTN at 8:00 a.m. & again at 12:00 p.m. We also have the daily readings in every bulletin located within the Liturgical Calendar section on page 3. Please stay safe and warm. EWTN is on the following channels: Time Warner Cable channel 50, DishNetwork channel 261, or DIRECTV channel 370. ST. MARY S PTO FISH FRY DINNERS: The event is open to the public; come and enjoy! Date: 19 th. Dinners are served 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Mouth Watering MENU: All-you-can-eat Alaskan Pollock (baked too), Baked Potato, Coleslaw or Applesauce, Roll & Butter, Drink & Homemade Desserts, (Mac N Cheese option for children). Adults: $9.00/Children ages 5-10 years: $5.00/4 years and younger are FREE. We need you! Can you please consider volunteering or donating homemade desserts to help our PTO? No experience necessary. You can contact the school office to sign up or go to to choose. These are PTO s biggest fund raiser of the year. HEARTS AND HANDS 2016 EASTER BASKET PROJECT: Items needed are for boys and girls from newborn thru 12 years old. They can use coloring books, crayons, pencils, fun pads, erasers, small stuffed toys, grass, baskets, small toys, lotion, baseballs, balls, yo-yos, jump ropes, small dolls, anything age appropriate for the baskets. Also plastic eggs to fill, all kinds of wrapped candies, chocolate rabbits and crosses, hair ribbons, tooth paste and tooth brushes, religious items, sippy cups, baby food, juice boxes, socks, bibs, teething items, crackers, cookies, raisins, gold fish, and pretzels (individual packages) If you prefer to donate money for this project, it will be used to purchase items needed. Please mark envelope: Easter Basket Project. Please drop off items at the Parish Center by Feb 28 th. Thanks for considering the Easter Basket Project as we bless others. This is a ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church. SIGN UP for the Easter Basket Project is through February 29 th, for ages new born to 12 years old.to register your child for an Easter Basket please call one of the following numbers or Applications must be completed to receive a basket. Easter Basket Project is sponsored by the Hearts and Hands Group at Trinity United Methodist Church. BLANKET SUNDAY is being held this weekend. Blankets are still $5.00 per blanket. When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, Church World Service sends these blankets to those in need. Thanks for your support. Envelopes are in the pews or just put it in an envelope and mark it for "Blankets". For more information, call Kathy Kanney Sunday Collections February 6 & 7, 2016: Offertory $ 10, Religious Education $ Initial Offering $ Children s $ 7.00 TOTAL SUNDAY AND HOLY DAY COLLECTIONS $ 10, up $2, from 2014/2015 Total Sunday and Holy Day Collections to Date $ 320, up $2, from 2014/2015 Other Parish Collections: Diocesan Collections: Capital Improvement $ Black & Indian $ Support Your School $ Church in Eastern Europe $ Youth Ministry $ 5.00

7 Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish MOST PURE HEART OF MARY WELCOMES: Arlee Janelle Waechter, daughter of Matthew Waechter and Heather Fenner Waechter, baptized on October 4, Eli Mark Korbas, son of Kraig Korbas and Abbey Stang Korbas, baptized on November 28, Grayden Glenn Barnett, son of Guy Barnett and Jeraca Yetzer Barnett, baptized on January 17, Brayden Matthew DeVito, son of Douglas DeVito and Kirsten DeVito, baptized on January 30, Leah Renee Ensman. daughter of Andrew Ensman and Sierra Redman Ensman, baptized on February 6, Logan AnnMarie Sullivan, daughter of Angela Sullivan, baptized on February 6, Please keep these families in your prayers as they grow in their Catholic faith. Happy BirthdaY Trevor Winters, Adam Gumbert, Patricia Sadowski, Sandra Pitsch, Arthur Lamb, Kathleen Lowe, Mallory Krutsch, Ann Hemmerly, Rosemary Smith, Mark Wolford, Lauren Terry, Samantha Moore, Linda Furney, Mary Rodriguez, Alexander Kreinbrink, Karen Vaughn, Madison Perkins, Rebecca Young, Nancy Rolsten, Bobby Evans, Spencer Beer. THE SOUPER BOWL OF CARING IS THIS WEEKEND! The Souper Bowl of Caring is dedicated to tackling all of the issues that exist in our communities, including poverty, hunger and homelessness. After Masses there will be youth group members at all the exits with soup pots. You can give a monetary donation or bring a non-perishable food item to donate. 100% of the donation will go to Shelby Helpline to help combat this issues in our community. Thank you for your support! An Evening of Music presented by Shelby Church Choirs and Ensembles Shelby High School Choir Combined Choirs Sunday, February 28, 2016, 7:00 PM Shelby High School Performing Arts Center A free will offering will be collected to help support the 2016 performance of Handel s Messiah for our community ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL DIOCESE OF TOLEDO to meet the needs of our local church The 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal Campaign is underway. The campaign goal is $2,800,000 and our parish goal is $25,000. We can assure the continued existence of many important programs that help tens of thousands in our Diocese each year; education of our seminary students, care of the sick and needy are among them. Please respond generously when you are asked to make your pledge. For more information, visit the Diiocesan website at Saturday, March 12 th 6:00-9:00 p.m. Come for some Irish Food, Fun & Music Entrance Fee - $1.00 or $2.00 if not wearing green Food Booths Selling: Corned Beef & Cabbage Irish Stew Shepard s Pie Hot Dogs & Chips Green Beverages Crafts for kids too! HELP WANTED for a very important ministry in our church. Do you have the desire to help fellow parishioners in their time of need? Can you spare an hour or so in the morning a few times a year? We need YOU to join the Funeral Choir. This is an on-call, no rehearsal, come when you can commitment. If you are interested in helping, contact me with your preference, and I will put you on the call/ /text list. Thank you in advance for your invaluable service. Joy Wagner, or jwagner@stmaryshelby.org

8 Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish Greetings Parish Family!: Our Parish School News Spring Fund Raiser - Spring is around the corner and so is our spring Butter Braid fund raiser. We kicked-off the fund raiser on Wednesday (2/10) during the morning meeting with free samples to taste. These delectable treats will be available at both fish fry dinners! Our goal again is for each student to sell at least 10 items, if possible! If you are interested in purchasing these delicious butter braids, please contact the school. Delivery will be in time for your Easter brunch. $67,500 Our save the date list is as follows: Feb Presidents Day No School Feb Fish Fry (4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.)! We need your help; no experience necessary! Thank you for keeping our school and parish in your prayers; you make a difference for us! We are truly blessed, Lisa M. Rhodes Catholic Schools Week Fun Excel Beyond the Basics School Fund Drive Our Goal $67,500 Collected Feb. 6 & 7 $ Total Collected for Fund Drive $ 53, Pledged to Date $ 61, We're $6, away from meeting our pledged goal for 2015/2016 school year. Spirit Day PJ Day Come Sail Away Dance Inside Out Day 6 th graders & Kindergarteners Go under the limbo stick.

9 Th e G o s p e l o f MERCY Lenten Reflection for the Year of Mercy Jesus in the Desert E ach Lent, on this first Sunday, we hear a different Gospel account of Jesus being tempted in the desert. These temptations that Jesus experienced also describe the temptations of the early Christian community, as well as the temptations we are often confronted with today. The temptations can be summarized in three categories: temptation of bread (material provisions and comfort), temptation of power (independence, self-sufficiency, and superiority), and temptation of pride or self-importance (testing the fidelity of others, testing God). There is a dual challenge for each of us on this first Sunday of Lent: first, to understand what Jesus temptations mean in our lives (our relationships, our work, our actions in the world, and how we see ourselves); second, to find the courage to respond to temptations as Jesus did. Lent is a time to reflect and act on these challenges, trusting that our generous God always strengthens us when we try to be more and more open to living as Jesus did. Especially this year, as we celebrate the Year of Mercy, our Lenten season is a gift from the Church and a challenge a time to respond in commitment, in mercy, in care to ourselves and to others, as we live beyond and above the temptations of comfort, power, and pride. CNS/Paul Haring, Shutterstock Luke 4:1-13 Let us ask the Lord to always say to us, in times of temptation, as he did with the disciples, with patience: Stop. Do not worry. Lift up your eyes; look to the horizon. Do not close yourself in; FOR REFLECTION move forward. His Word will save us from falling How does it make me feel to know that Jesus experienced the same temptations that I sometimes do? into sin in moments of What is a temptation in my life that I want to address this Lent? Pope Francis, Homily, February 18, 2014 How does my involvement in economic, political, or church systems contribute to the building of the Reign of God? temptation.

10 s y m b o l s of t h e s e a s o n The Desert The desert is a strange and splendid place. It evokes in people diverse feelings. Deserts can be beautiful and barren; they can speak of trials, sufferings, and ordeals. Within Scripture and our tradition, they have also been silent places, in their starkness providing time for quiet reflection and new discoveries of God. During this Lenten season, are we ready to welcome the desert experiences that might surround us, realizing that God is there, that deep growth in our faith is possible there? Catechism CONNECTION Merciful Moments During this first Lenten week, look each day for a quiet moment. Turn off your phone or stop for a moment before bedtime. As you think about mercy, the care of Jesus for each person, what is Jesus calling you to do this week? Look at the places where you have influence or power. How might you use your power to serve or support those who are in need? Make a Lenten resolution to give alms or time in the service of mercy of caring for another during these Lenten days. Lenten Prayer Compassionate and Powerful God, you have always guarded your people from the power of evil. You teach us to rely upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we enter this Lenten season of mercy of prayer, fasting, and giving. Make me more aware of how close you are when I struggle to do what is right and just. Fill me with your grace, that I might be strengthened to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Lead us not into temptation implies a decision of the heart: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also... No one can serve two masters. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. In this assent to the Holy Spirit the Father gives us strength. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2848 Faithful Family Make a desert place somewhere in your home. It might be a simple bowl of sand on your dining-room table, a prayer corner, or an entire room that can be set aside for these Lenten weeks. Let it be a place and remind you to create a place in your heart daily for prayer, tough conversations, and Gospel reading, individually and as a family. Holy Space Images: Veer.com For print use only. Copyright by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend