Lent is About Transformation

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Brandon Singleton
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1 ST. PAT RI C K CA T H O L I C C O M M U N I TY LENT 2018 C HRI S T I AN D I S C I P L E S I N M I S S I O N

2 Lent is About Transformation Did you ever notice that Jesus does not tend to give what we would call inspiring or motivational talks? He is not a football coach, nor does he try to engage your will power as such. Your common Christian sense would deny this until you actually study his recorded Gospel messages, and see that it is factually true! Jesus is much more concerned about shaking your foundations, giving you an utterly alternative self image, world image, and God image, and thus reframing your entire reality. Mere inspiration can never do this. BY RICHARD ROHR (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEB. 22, 2012) As the AA people say, religion usually depends far too much on promotion instead of attraction. The old self needs constant promotional material to keep it going. The new self hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) is both attracted and attractive just by being itself. A transformed self engenders life from within, pulls life from without, and channels life in outer directions without trying. The essential religious question is always this: You must get your WHO right! Who is the subject here? Who is doing the acting, the loving, the motivating, the repenting? Is little ol me doing this or not doing this? All mature religion is somehow talking about finding your God self, your Christ self, your Buddha self, your Sufi dance. And when it happens, you know it was not a change after all, but a wondrous discovery and constant rediscovery of what was always true anyway. If you depend on being emotionally inspired or newly motivated, you will need a new fix almost every day. If it is a true Gospel message, it will be more about regrounding, reshaping and redirecting you from your core. Thus the quintessential Lenten reading is Jesus After transformation one realizes that one is a participant! first public proclamation that we know of. In some ways, And always has been! It is being done unto me, through it summarizes everything he says: Now me, with me, and for me? Until we realize NOW IS THE TIME, and act from this larger I AM, there has is the time, God s reign is present, change your life, and believe some very good been no essential transformation, but GOD S REIGN IS news (Mark 1:15, my translation). only an accessorizing of the old outfit. PRESENT, CHANGE For many of us, this change of form is Yes, we do need an emotional charge summed up rather perfectly in Paul s YOUR LIFE, AND to make most decisions, adopt specific quoted line I live no longer my own BELIEVE SOME VERY oft behaviors, give up candy for Lent, or life, but the life of Christ who lives in me GOOD NEWS. make some changes in our life. But (Galatians 2:20). Choosing this or that Jesus is not talking about changes. He is religious form is often nothing more than talking about change! Many changes might well be good a delay tactic avoiding our participation in a ride that is and even needed, and surely some changes will result already happening beneath, before, and beyond all of the from any shaking of the foundations, but they are not forms, and this ride is much larger than ME. Paul again what we mean by Biblical conversion or transformation says shortly thereafter, It does not matter whether one ( changing the form itself ). These things do not change is circumcised or not, what matters is that you become the seer as such, but only his or her acceptable self an altogether new creation (Galatians 6:15). image and usually for a short while. It is the old and perennial problem of putting the cart before the horse, The big rub is that to surrender my singularity (John or thinking that lots of carts ( changes ) will eventually 12:24) and fall into this altogether new creation will create the horsepower. It never finally works. always feel like dying. How could it not? It is a dying of the self that we thought we were, but it is the only self that Any appeal to will power, or even the presentation of we knew until then. It will indeed be a revolution of the some good new ideas, merely engages YOU, but at your mind (Ephesians 4:23). Heart and body will soon follow. present level of maturity and consciousness. Now YOU (in your old form!) try harder, think more or better, and do This is the real try harder that applies to Lent, and its something different, but your YOU has not been changed ultimate irony is that it is not a trying at all, but an ultimate in any substantial way. It is still You who try harder, think surrendering, dying, and foundational letting go. You will more or better, or do something different. Maybe this not do it yourself, but it will be done unto you (Luke 1:38) will get you into the right ball park for eventual and actual by the events of your life. Such deep allowing is the most conversion, but in my experience, most people stay humiliating, sacrificial, and daily kind of trying! Pep talks right where they are, and wait for the next motivational seldom get you there, but the suffering of life and love spiritual message. This is why so much organized religion itself will always get you there. Lent is just magnified and is so ineffectual in actually changing people. intensified life. - FR. RICHARD ROHR, OFM

3 First Down & 40 BY FR. ERIC TELLEZ, PASTOR The season of Lent is not bad about ourselves. The season of Lent is just known by Catholics. really a discipline of working on becoming Rather, many people seem a better person, the person that God would to know what Lent is about. want us to be. For six weeks we might give The food industry has up something that will help remind us that made plans to serve food sacrifice is at the heart of loving others. The that does not contain meat, six weeks of taking on something good can many fast food restaurants help develop practices that will bring out the have ordered more fish best behaviors and attitudes that we desire. sandwiches. Others know that Lent is a time where Lent can be a time we give witness by showing people give up something they others that it is a wonderful time LENT IS REALLY like. Some know that during Lent to renew our efforts to do, and A DISCIPLINE OF people fast by eating less. And be, good. People already know WORKING ON on Ash Wednesday many are that there is a Lent, and they BECOMING A BETTER reminded that Lent has begun know some of the practices of by the ashes they see on the Lent. What they really need, is PERSON. foreheads of those who received seeing people like us, following them. One does not have to be Catholic to the practices of Lent and seeing that it does know something about Lent. make a huge difference in renewing our lives. I wonder why so many people know about Lent? Sometimes I think that there is something deep within every human person, that desires to become a better person. We want to learn how to stop doing things that may hurt us, hurt others or make us feel As we begin another season of Lent I hope this booklet, our gift to you, will inspire you to desire to be the person you know you can be, and give witness to people who know about Lent but need to see Lent lived in others. - FR. ERIC Lenten Survival Kit Praying Make a commitment to Mass, attend daily Mass; spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament; pray the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings; pray as a family by reading through the upcoming Sunday reading from our website; find a devotion of prayer for this special season; and as a family listen and talk about the Gospel. Fasting Giving up things for Lent is a powerful experience. Fasting could entail eating less than normal, or fasting from the good things we love to eat. We may also choose to fast from things like television, the internet, social media, or things that consume us. We should reflect on how fasting from such things might help us live differently at Easter time. Almsgiving Put money aside as an offering; reach out to neighbors, co-workers and others who could use your support; use your Habitat for Humanity bank; participate in Undies Sundays; lessen another s burden by placing the needs of others before your own needs; and be open to understanding your own blindness to the suffering around us.

Italian for In the Presence of, In Presenza Di is an opportunity for the entire community to gather before the Blessed

Based on an old Franciscan devotion, this contemplative night contains praise & worship, silence, scripture, a

Lenten Series: 7:00-8:15 pm in the Daily Mass Chapel Mondays, March 5, 12 & 19 Speakers: Fr.

COLUMBUS Fridays, February 16 & March 23 4:30-7:30 pm Fish dinner $10 Kid s Mac n Cheese $5 Family dinner special: 2 Fish

4 Italian for In the Presence of, In Presenza Di is an opportunity for the entire community to gather before the Blessed Sacrament for a time of prayer, praise, teaching and adoration. Based on an old Franciscan devotion, this contemplative night contains praise & worship, silence, scripture, a reflection, and adoration all done in the presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. Lenten Series: 7:00-8:15 pm in the Daily Mass Chapel Mondays, March 5, 12 & 19 Speakers: Fr. Eric Tellez & Torri Winn Music: Adam, Edel & Rocky Fish Fry Fridays SPONSORED BY OUR OWN MEN S CLUB AND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Fridays, February 16 & March 23 4:30-7:30 pm Fish dinner $10 Kid s Mac n Cheese $5 Family dinner special: 2 Fish dinners & 2+ Kid s Mac n Cheese meal for just $30 per family! We have limited space and limited meals. Please get your ticket after Masses to ensure your spot! Walk-ins are welcome as space and meals allow. Proceeds support the St. Patrick Beyond Sunday Capital Campaign

Prayer, Fasting & Alm sgiving OUR GPS FOR LENT Stewardship GPS is Giving, Praying and Serving. The three pillars of Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. See how similar?

This year, as we pray during Lent, we ask that you focus on fasting. This year, really give it your best effort.

Following the catechesis in Matthew 6, it must be linked to prayer, by which we express love of God, and to almsgiving, by which we express love of neighbor.

Patrick is an ongoing, year round opportunity for adults to explore becoming Catholic.

5 Prayer, Fasting & Alm sgiving OUR GPS FOR LENT Stewardship GPS is Giving, Praying and Serving. The three pillars of Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. See how similar? Prayer and Giving are in both. The difference comes in the other one. Lent is a time of reflection and a time to work with God on making changes to ourselves. Fasting helps with that. This year, as we pray during Lent, we ask that you focus on fasting. This year, really give it your best effort. America Magazine puts it this way, There is a place for fasting in contemporary Catholic spirituality, but the practice must be based in love of God and love of all God s creatures. Following the catechesis in Matthew 6, it must be linked to prayer, by which we express love of God, and to almsgiving, by which we express love of neighbor. It must be rooted in an imitation of Jesus in the desert, in a personal acknowledgment of our Adult Initiation BY MAGGIE SELIGA, DIRECTOR OF FORMATION Adult Initiation at St. Patrick is an ongoing, year round opportunity for adults to explore becoming Catholic. If you are an adult who has never been baptized or baptized in another Christian tradition and you wish to grow deeper in your relationship to Jesus Christ, then Adult Initiation may be for you. Initiation is framed in a process of conversion which occurs over a period of time. This journey takes place in small groups with a trained team of facilitators. The process is centered in prayer, breaking open the Sunday Readings, sharing faith and life experiences, and celebrating sacred Rites. Lent is the season of the church year during which our Candidates and Catechumens become the Elect of God through the Rite of Election. In addition, three Scrutinies are celebrated. The Lenten season and rites allow the participants to discover what it means to die to their old life and rise at Easter to a renewed and deeper commitment to Jesus. The elect will celebrate the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist during the beautiful Easter Vigil Mass. Please keep them in your prayers. If you are interested in this process, please call the Parish Office. hunger for God s word and in an awareness of our solidarity with those who hunger for bread. In the final analysis, fasting is not an end in itself, but a practice that enhances our love of God and of neighbor. So as we fast from food and other things this Lent, and as we feel the pangs of hunger for that food or those things, we pray for those who go without. If you are giving up something you would normally spend money on, like coffee, fast food, candy, etc., save that money during Lent and GIVE ALMS to our St. Patrick Beyond Sunday Capital Campaign, Rice Bowl, or Habitat for Humanity. And finally, turn our focus to God and ask Him to help us know, love and serve Him more. If you have any questions, contact Diane Kar at dkar@stpatcc.org or x137 What s the D if f er ence? FASTING & ABSTINENCE Fasting and abstinence promote self-discipline and support prayer. Though often associated together, fasting and abstinence are two different Church disciplines. Fasting refers to the quantity of food consumed on a particular day. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, healthy adult Catholics, ages 18-59, are required to fast, limiting food to one full meal with minimal food eaten at the other two meal times and nothing in between. Abstinence refers to the kind of food one denies oneself, such as meat. During Lent, healthy Catholics age 14 and older are required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday of the season.

6 LIVING SUNDAY Undies Sundays LENTEN COLLECTION At all the weekend Masses during Lent, we will be collecting underwear for those in need. This collection will help André House, Circle the City, Justa Center & Paz de Cristo meet the needs of the people they serve. All four organizations request new cotton briefs: Men, sizes and Women, sizes 5-8 Thank You.

LENT TRIDUUM EASTER 2018 Event s & Lit urgies PARISH WIDE EVENTS Please pray for the candidates and catechumens as they discern their commitment to the Easter Sacraments.

7 LENT TRIDUUM EASTER 2018 Event s & Lit urgies PARISH WIDE EVENTS Please pray for the candidates and catechumens as they discern their commitment to the Easter Sacraments. The Season of Lent Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Wednesdays, February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Monday, March 26 at 6:30 pm (Penance Service) Wednesday, March 28 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am The Sacrament of Reconciliation will not take place on Saturday, March 31 Prayer and Meditation in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm Friday & Saturday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Stations of the Cross in the Daily Mass Chapel Fridays, February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, & 23 at 6:00 pm Fish Fry Fridays Fridays, February 16 & March 23 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm Proceeds benefit our Beyond Sunday Campaign The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick with the Crosier Fathers February 17 & 18, after all Weekend Masses Adult Initiation Rite of Sending Sunday, February 18 8:00 am Mass Lent: How It Can Be Spent with Father Bill Faiella, CSC, Psy. D. Thursday, February 22 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Classroom in the Church A Tour of the Holy Land at St. Patrick With Kevin Saunders, Alex & Rosemary Cudzewicz Friday, February 23 at 6:45 pm Fenlon Hospitality Center Taizé Prayer Prayer around the Cross Monday, February 26 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Daily Mass Chapel Women s Retreat Day: Return to Shalom Saturday, March 3 at 8:30 am St. Joseph the Worker Hike for the Homeless 2018 Saturday, March 3 at 8:00 am McDowell Mountain Park Registration & donation options: or contact Barb Nicol at the Parish Office Adult Initiation Scrutinies Sundays, March 4, 11 & 18 8:00 am Mass In the Presence of: In Presenza Di Praise, Worship, Eucharistic Adoration & Exposition, Scripture, and Quiet Prayer Daily Mass Chapel Mondays, March 5, 12, & 19 from 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm Men s Mass & Breakfast with Joel Stepanek, LIFE TEEN National Speaker Saturday, March 10 from 8:30 am - 10:30 am Holy Week & Easter Palm Sunday of the Lord s Passion March 25 Please Wear Red Saturday 5:00 pm Church Sunday, 8:00 am, 10:30 am Church & Fenlon and 5:00 pm (Youth Liturgy) Church Habitat for Humanity Banks & Rice Bowls Returned this Weekend Holy Thursday March 29 7:00 pm Mass of the Lord s Supper in the Church Good Friday of the Lord s Passion March 30 12:00 pm Family Stations of the Cross Featuring ministers from Stepping Stones, The EDGE & Singing Angels, in the Church. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Quiet Prayer and Meditation 7:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy in the Church Passion, Veneration of the Cross & Eucharist Holy Saturday March 31 Easter Basket Blessing at 11:00 am Daily Mass Chapel The Easter Vigil at 7:00 pm in the Church Easter Sunday April 1 Liturgy: 6:00 am Church 8:00 am Church & Fenlon Hospitality Center 10:30 am Church & Fenlon Hospitality Center 12:30 pm Church Please note: Our Parish Office will be closed Easter Monday, April 2 For more information, locations of events, a complete calendar, and contact information, visit stpatcc.org, follow us on Facebook and Twitter or give us a call

8 WHEN WE WORSHIP WEEKEND st. patrick Catholic Community CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES IN MISSION N. 84TH ST. SCOTTSDALE, AZ PHONE: (480) FAX: (480) PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Summer: Monday & Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00, 10:30 am & 5:00 pm (Youth Liturgy) WEEKDAY Monday - Friday: 8:00 am Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5:30 pm OUR WEBSITE A vibrant new home for resources, information on the sacraments, articles, podcasts, videos and more. STPATRICKSCOTTSDALE

Lent Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Lent Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger