RENEWAL. Upcoming at the Casa. Eucharist Retreat The Source & Summit of Our Life in Christ Friday - Sunday, February 26-28

Transcription

1 February 14, 2016 RENEWAL The First Sunday of Lent The Franciscan Renewal Center A Roman Catholic Community of the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara Upcoming at the Casa Eucharist Retreat The Source & Summit of Our Life in Christ Friday - Sunday, February Discover the Vision Introduce Someone New to the Casa Thursday, February 18th at 6:00 pm Community Lenten Mission With Fr. Larry Dolan, OFM Monday - Wednesday, February at 7:00 pm STRAIGHT TALK THEOLOGY The Holy Year of God s Mercy with Fr. Bill Cieslak OFM, Cap. Sunday, February 21st at 9:00 am The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center Weekend Mass Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:15 am 11:00 am, 7:00 pm Daily Mass Monday - Saturday 7:00 am Holy Day Masses as announced Reconciliation please call for appointment Rosary Tuesday 6:00 pm Centering Prayer Thursday 7:45 am Adoration February 24, :00 pm Front Desk Hours Monday - Saturday 7:00 am - 7:30 pm Sunday 6:30 am - 8:30 pm Bookstore Hours Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm Sunday 8:30 am - 2:00 pm 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm 5802 East Lincoln Drive Scottsdale, Arizona Phone thecasa.org Photo by Peter Gruber

2 THE CONVENTUAL CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS Church of Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Staff rector Fr. Peter Kirwin, ofm Church vicar Fr. Joseph Schwab, ofm Church Vicar Fr. Bill Bried, ofm deacon Dcn. Hervé Lemire liturgy and music Norbert Zwickl Jaime Gonzales executive assistant to the liturgy office Rosa Rodriguez catechesis and sacraments Patty Tafolla youth minister James Whitaker faith in action ministry (social action) Patti Sills-Trausch Bonnie Wasniewski Laura Libertore wedding scheduling Nellie Castro x158 x152 x124 x126 x127 x121 x154 x122 x130 x155 x156 x171 Franciscan Renewal Center Administrative Staff executive director Fr. Joseph Schwab, ofm general manager Charles Brown operations Mike Slivers adult education, programs and retreats Rick Hardy meetings and conferences Sue Force Indra Tilgass-Rodney counseling and support groups Judith McHale spiritual direction Sharon Taszarek finance Kris Cook, CPA Lora Nelson volunteer opportunities Pat Bennier sustainability Sarah Privée Sheri Baker Ryan Hill philanthropic initiatives Rachel Oesterle communications Adam Stein Patricia Lee x152 x175 x129 x160 x173 x164 x134 x162 x159 x151 x157 x150 x188 x145 x161 x123 x147 Officers of the FRC Board Doug Olesen, Chair Alanna M. Mack, CPA Treasurer William Anger, Esq., Vice Chair Allen Vaughan, Secretary "Little Boy" Even though it didn t get much publicity, I regarded the Movie Little Boy as one the great films of our time. You can probably still watch it on Netflix. In the film, a little boy who was ever so attached to his father loses him when his dad is drafted into the Army during World War II. During the course of the story, a Catholic priest named Father Oliver gives the little boy, who wanted his dad back home more that life itself, a copy of the most powerful prayer he knew that might just bring his dad back home from the war, safe and sound. The prayer was a list of the Corporal Works of Mercy: 1.Feed the hungry. 2. Give drink to the thirst. 3. Clothe the naked. 4. Shelter the homeless. 5. Visit the imprisoned. 6. Visit the sick. 7. Bury the dead. The priest punctuated the list with a postscript by telling the little boy that this prayer list could only work if the little boy removed all hatred and prejudice from his heart and embraced unconditional love toward everyone. A difficult order for anyone to follow, but the little boy followed the list and the postscript dutifully. He also underlined every prayer task on the list copy as he accomplished them. Now, if you want to know what happened and watch the details of this great film as they unfold, you ll have to look it up or rent the DVD, since the movie has come and gone. What does remain however, are two things: the list of the Corporal Works of Mercy and the postscript to remove all hatred and prejudice from our hearts and embrace mercy and unconditional love toward everyone. On this First Sunday of Lent, and also Valentine s Day, Fr. Oliver s Most Powerful Prayer might be a good way to begin these 40 days. Blessings, Deacon Hervé Lemire Phone Fax Website thecasa.org RENEWAL is published weekly by the Franciscan Renewal Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization 5802 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ Federal Tax ID Printed by J.S. Paluch Company Inc. Copyright All rights reserved. Page 2 RENEWAL thecasa.org

3 LITURGY CONNECTION Simple Thoughts... Wednesday began the season of Lent. (If the ashes & purple everywhere didn t give it away for you, now you know.) As we start this season, our Scriptures call us to reflect on the orientation of our heart. If we give up chocolate just because we have to give up something, we would be missing the point. Where is the "why?" Why are we fasting? Why are we trying to find more opportunity for prayer? Why are we giving money differently? Reflecting on the season of Lent, Thomas Merton wrote, In the laying upon us the light cross of ashes, the church desires to take off our shoulders all other heavy burdens the crushing load of worry and obsessive guilt, the dead weight of our own selflove. Lent helps us remember that God is first. Our readings this weekend remind us of the same thing. God is bigger than the biggest temptation, trial, struggle or fear. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us that even He was tempted, but He focused on His relationship with the Father, and overcame the temptations. We are called to focus on God in the same way. We can do this through the disciplines of Lent. Our prayer, our fasting and our almsgiving during this season help us to drop the dead weight, not focus on our own desires and follow Jesus example. Jesus shows us that God is always with us, even in the middle of temptation. With our focus on Him, no evil or temptation can pull us away. Now is the time to make sure our focus in on God. ~ What dead weight can we drop this season? How can we take the opportunity this season offers to help us reorient our heart? ~ The Church Staff Next week we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels at all the weekend Masses! Community Lenten Mission Monday - Wednesday, February The Casa Community will share in a Lenten Mission, hosted by Fr. Larry Dolan, OFM. Many will fondly remember Fr. Larry s time spent here at the Casa. Fr. Larry will be participating in all the Masses on Saturday and Sunday, at which time we also will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center. The Mission itself will take place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the church. The Mission will conclude prayerfully with In Presenza Di on Wednesday evening, presented by Fr. Larry. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated with the entire community on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00 pm. Lent is always a good time to celebrate this beautiful sacrament: the church s proclamation of God s great love for us through the forgiveness of our sins. The point of Lent is conversion of heart conversion toward living a life following the Gospel of Jesus more closely. Seal that commitment through this celebration of reconciliation, and experience the peace that comes from hearing the beautiful words of absolution. We gather at these communal celebrations to make a fresh start together. Many people see in penance only its difficult side, and its emphasis on sorrow. But it also has a more joyful side, and it looks more to the future than to the past. Through penance, God calls us to a new beginning. We can find true freedom as God s sons and daughters. See pg. 12 for God's Gift of Forgiveness: A Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation The 1st Sunday of Lent February 13 & 14, 2016 ~ Cycle C Incense Photo by Peter Jordan Detail of the Our Lady of the Angels window by Scott Parsons thecasa.org RENEWAL Page 3

4 FAMILY CATECHESIS & SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Family Faith Activities February 14 First Sunday of Lent Candy Chocolate.Temptations! Jesus travels alone and with no food to the desert to pray for 40 days. The devil figured this was his chance to tempt Jesus to do wrong. Rather than give in, Jesus draws on his religious upbringing and quotes Scripture from the Bible. We, too, are called to immerse our children fully in the Catholic tradition, especially Scripture, so that they also can draw upon their faith to resist temptations in life. Jesus also was fully human, so it must have been difficult for Him to face these temptations. Because of this, Jesus understands our own temptations and is here for us anytime we ask for His help. Ask your family to share what they think the word temptation means. Read Matthew 4:1-11 & discuss: What happens to Jesus in the wilderness? How long is Jesus there? How does the devil try to tempt Jesus? What does Jesus do? X out Temptation: With your family, make a list of temptations that each person faces at home, at school, at work or in the neighborhood. Brainstorm ways to avoid each temptation and write down the ways that you can work to avoid them. Create a time each day for prayer so that each person can resist the temptations he/she faces. Concluding Prayer: God of life, You gave Your Son Jesus strength in the desert. Give us the strength to do what we know is right and to stand up for what we believe in, even when it is difficult. Amen. Lent Resources for Families Virtual Stations of the Cross bustedhalo.com/features/virtualstations-of-the-cross Meatless Friday Fare bustedhalo.com/features/say-no-tofish-sticks-7-meatless-meals-for-lent Visit our website for more resources and activities: familycatechesisola.weebly.com Election Time No, not that election! Election to the Book of Life! This Sunday, our Catechumen (those who are not baptized) are presented to the community to see if they are prepared to continue on to receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. As the community hears the testimony presented, they vote to send the Catechumen to the Rite of Election with the Bishop later this afternoon. The Catechumen then become the Elect and enter the final phase of preparation the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Let us begin our own Lenten journeys by keeping these men, women and children in our prayers! RCIA for Children and Teens Matthew Dugan-Teetsel Reginald Guyton Juanpablo Aldridge Caylin Carrillo Tanner Tate Braxton Tate Jessa Kistner Elysa Gordon RCIA for Adults David J. Tammy P. Tom H. Sasha R. Ryan S. Sherry K. Charles W. Kathyrn C. Maria G. Keith W. For more information about Baptisms, Sacramental Preparation and Family Catechesis, please contact Patty Tafolla at , ext. 154 or dcm@thecasa.org Page 4 RENEWAL thecasa.org

5 FAMILY CATECHESIS & SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION upcoming this week February 13/14 Casa Art Walk Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am 4:00 pm Come out and support artists from within and outside the community. If you are an artist or even love to look at art, don t coming soon miss this! February 21 High School Mercy Meeting 5:00 pm in Longo February 24 In Presenza Di 7:00 pm in the church Prayer. Worship. Adoration. Visit: InPresenzaDi.com March 5 Hike for the Homeless 8:00 am 12:00 pm Join us at McDowell Mountain Regional Park for the most exciting hike of the year as we raise funds for St. Joseph the Worker. Music, games, bounce houses, raffle and more., For information on upcoming events, the latest news and forms, visit us at CasaYouth.org or call James Whitaker at ext. 122 Did you know.just one pint of blood can help save as many as three people's lives? Spiritual Direction How is God present or absent in your life? In the midst of a busy life, many people find it difficult to notice God s action in their daily affairs. Yet, at the deepest level, many of us long for a more conscious experience of God s presence and love. Stop by Piper Hall today to donate blood between 8:00 am 12:15 pm. Be a hero. Walk-ins always welcome. A spiritual director/companion is trained to listen and encourage you to explore a closer relationship with God through conversation, listening and prayer. If you are curious about spiritual direction at the Casa, or would like to make an appointment, please contact Sharon Taszarek at , ext. 162 or sharon@thecasa.org For the latest news and general information, visit us at thecasa.org or call the Front Desk at thecasa.org RENEWAL Page 5

6 FAITH IN ACTION MINISTRIES Lenten Almsgiving Envelope In your bulletin today, we offer you the Lenten Almsgiving envelope. This is to enhance your Lenten experience. Within the Season of Lent, we have the Lenten practices of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. These disciplines can help us become aware of what is leading us toward or away from God. During this Year of Mercy, we can also remember the Corporal Works of Mercy and connect those to our Almsgiving. Almsgiving is also connected to fasting, as the amount of money saved when fasting can be collected and then donated to those who hunger every day. We encourage you to put the envelope in a prominent place to remind you of your chosen Lenten practice. Return the envelope on March 12 & 13. Please either give a monetary donation or purchase Bashas food cards to support our Franciscan missions in San Carlos, Whiteriver and Topawa. When purchasing food cards, please indicate the amount on the card. LENTEN ALMSGIVING Take home envelope Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. We cannot escape the Lord s words to us... POPE FRANCIS (4/11/15, no. 15) Place your donations for cash or Bashas food cards in this envelope and return it on the weekend of March 12 & 13, 2016 (if donating food cards, please indicate the amount on the card) Proceeds help feed the poor at our Franciscan missions in San Carlos, Whiteriver and Topawa. Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving Franciscan Renewal Center Peace. Renewal. Good. ADDITIONAL BUILD DATES: March 12 complete framing April 16 complete drywall May 14 exterior paint, prep for landscape June 4 touch-up, final cleanup June 11 dedication The Casa Habitat Ministry 2016 Construction Casa s 6th Home Next Build Date: February 27 Wall signing, roll trusses, install fascia No experience needed. All training will be provided by Habitat for Humanity. We need volunteers for construction. You can also volunteer with us by providing Morning Coffee, or Lunches for the Crews. We will be providing food three times over the next 5 months. You must be 16 yrs. old to participate in the construction there are no age restrictions for providing morning coffee/lunches for the crews. Please sign-up at: thecasahabitat@gmail.com Two worthy organizations in the Valley are having benefit events! Arizona Interfaith Power and Light: Healing Earth: An Interfaith Climate Action Fundraiser on Tuesday, March 8, 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $50. This will be a wonderful evening of good conversation, music, wine and hors d oeuvres with President and Founder of IPL, the Reverend Canon Sally Bingham, as the keynote speaker. For information on tickets, Patrick Grady at patrickgrady70@gmail.com. Saint Joseph the Worker: In 1988, the André House created St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) in response to a humble plea from homeless individuals receiving dinner in the park: We want jobs, but we don t have the tools. Since then, SJW has focused solely on empowering men and women to transform their lives through employment. Because SJW does not accept government funding, every contribution goes a long way to support their mission of "transforming lives through employment." The Ninth Annual Benefit Concert will be held on Saturday, April 30, 7:00 pm at Xavier College Preparatory High School. Suggested donation: $15. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit their website Click the "Purchase Your Tickets Here" link for instructions. Questions: please call Natasha at or nsteger@sjwjobs.org. Contact us at or Patti Sills-Trausch at socialconcerns@thecasa.org, Laura Libertore at laura@thecasa.org or Bonnie Wasniewski at bonnie@thecasa.org Page 6 RENEWAL thecasa.org

7 FAITH IN ACTION PROGRAMS Nonviolence Training Workshop Is there another way? Friday, February 26 6:00-9:00 pm Saturday, February 27 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Would you like to live in a world that is at peace and without threat of violence? Come to this workshop and learn how to resolve conflicts and build stronger relationships. This interactive and inspirational training focuses on the six principles and six steps of Nonviolence according to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mark Klym is certified by the University of Rhode Island, Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies as a Level II Kingian Nonviolence Trainer and holds a Master of Public Administration degree. He has over 20 years experience in violence prevention programs and is a cofounder and co-director of the Phoenix Nonviolence TruthForce. (phoenixnonviolence.org) Fee: $75 Pre-registration required Catholic Social Teaching on Peacemaking Saturday, March 12 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Laura Libertore presents an overview of the common good and relates how Scripture addresses peacemaking. There are several references to PEACE in the Bible, and Laura will be referring to Scripture in many instances. PeaceWalk & Mindfulness Meditation* Saturday, March 5 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Mindfulness is the ability to truly be in the present moment. This is when we learn we can choose how to act when we're upset. During the PeaceWalk an individual journey to peace we will learn to walk with our conflicts instead of speaking or acting in a less than kind way. There is no physical walking involved. We will practice mindful eating during lunch and then discuss the five contemplations we look at while eating. *Foundation course for Nonviolence Leadership Certificate Program; enrollment is not required. For information on the Certificate Program: bonnie@thecasa.org Feel free to bring your Bible with you to the program. Laura is the Coordinator of Ministry Development in the Faith in Action Ministry (FIA). She has 25+ years of dedication to social justice and how to honor human dignity and the common good. Fee: $35, includes lunch. Pre-registration required. Limited space available. Rev. Marvin Brown is ordained in the Buddist Order founded by Thich Nhat Hanh and uniquely qualified to blend Eastern philosophy with Western thought. Fee: $45, includes lunch. Pre-registration required. Be the change you want to see in the world! To register for these Faith in Action Programs, call or visit thecasa.org thecasa.org RENEWAL Page 7

8 ADULT EDUCATION & RETREATS NEW SERIES Leap of Faith FIVE EVENING SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Beginning February 29: Dinner at 6:00 pm Class at 7:00 pm February 29: Let All Say Amen Dr. Kathleen Schinhofen, Lecturer, Counselor, Facilitator In a stunning chapter written fifty years ago in the Constitutional document of Vatican II, the Catholic Church stretched its arms to embrace most human beings as The People of God, reversing centuries of belief and behavior. This presentation explores the historical context of this event, its unfolding in our minds and hearts in recent years, its current challenges and the teachings of Pope Francis as he attempts to lead his flock into new and greener pastures. April 28: Imagination at the Service of Faith Larry Fraher, Lecturer, Facilitator Our ability to create mental images and scenarios is an important way for us to understand matters of faith. This session will help you get in touch with the ways that imagination can enliven, inform, and strengthen faith, making it all the more relevant to our daily experience. May 26: Conscience Formation: An Introduction Rick Hardy, Director, Adult Education and Retreats The process of forming an adult conscience is challenging and rewarding. This session will introduce you to a process you may already be engaged in, or which might be new to you. In either case, you ll be informed and affirmed. September 29: Exploring Catholic Moral Theology Roberto Dell Oro, Ph.D., Moral Theologian, Professor, Ressearcher Catholic moral theology is intelligent, enlightened, and uplifting. In this session, you ll gain new insights and understandings of what moral theology can offer you in your everyday life. October 27: Conscience = Freedom Dr. Kathleen Schinhofen, Lecturer, Counselor, Facilitator Kathy returns to conclude this series with a marvelous examination of Gaudium et Spes, another of the seminal Vatican II documents still guiding the renewal of the Church. Created in God s image, we are endowed with a free will and the ability to form our conscience. See how these two interact! Registration is required. Includes Dinner $25 per session High School Students: You're invited to attend any class at no charge. Add dinner for just $8 See James Whitaker to register. For more information or to register for any of these programs please visit thecasa.org/programs-and-activities or call Page 8 RENEWAL thecasa.org

9 ADULT EDUCATION & RETREATS Twilight Retreat The Courage to Do the Right Thing Friday, February 19, 6:00 8:30 pm Marty Brounstein is the author of Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust. This hour and a half reflection tells the interfaith story of the courage and compassion of a Christian couple who risked their lives to help save the lives of two dozen Jewish people during World War II in Holland. It also has a meaningful personal connection to the story s author. Marty Brounstein has the led the consulting firm The Practical Solutions Groups since 1991 and has authored many books relating to his profession. Fee: $20 includes dinner. Pre-registration required. Eucharist, The Source and Summit of Our Life In Christ Friday, February 26 Sunday, February 28 This retreat will bring you into the upper room where Jesus gathered with eleven apostles. What happened there continues to happen to this very day when Christians gather to break the bread and share the cup. Retreat Facilitators: Deacon Phil LoCascio is a business leader, homilist, and parish mission director. Fr. Bob Rossi OSC has been a Crosier for 51 years and a priest for 44 years. Fee incl. meals: $130 commuter; $215 single; $165 double/per person. Pre-registration required. Dancing With Francis Saturday, February 27, 9:00 am 1:00 pm Have you ever tapped your feet spontaneously to music? If you have, the music is with you and in you. God s love for you is also with you and in you. This workshop will explore that love with music, dancing, hand clapping and tapping your feet while celebrating the Father s unconditional love for all of His children. Live attractions include: East Coast-West Coast Swing, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, Waltz, Polka, Country Two Step, and of course live concertina (accordion) instrumental music. You don t want to miss this workshop! Francis Pacyga is a three time Wisconsin State Dance Champion. He is a professional gardener/ horticulturist and landscaper who has devoted much volunteer time to beautify the Casa. Francis is also an accomplished musician (concertina artist). Fee: $40. Pre-registration required. Lent Day of Reflection with Kevin Saunders Saturday, March 5, 9:00 am 4:00 pm See the Gospels in a new way. This day-long seminar will present the basics of Middle Eastern culture as that culture applies itself to Jesus and the Gospels, presenting cultural clues needed to see the meaning behind the message. Come to this seminar and you ll never read the Gospels in the same way again. Kevin Saunders holds a Master s Degree in New Testament studies from The University of Notre Dame. He has lived and studied the Bible in Jerusalem, attending graduate courses at the acclaimed École Biblique. Kevin leads annual tours to the lands of the Bible. Fee: $60 includes lunch. Pre-registration required. For more information or to register for any of these programs please visit thecasa.org/programs-and-activites or call thecasa.org RENEWAL Page 9

10 VISION CORNER fam You are the Casa's Valentine Once a year, we celebrate this holiday of love with cards and candy, flowers and fine dining. It's a reminder that you, our remarkable community, generously express your love for the Casa and our shared mission throughout the year. You answer St. Francis' call to care for the poor and the vulnerable by providing food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, warmth for the homeless and school supplies for foster children. Through dedicated volunteerism, you are the heart of our ministries, including our outreach ministries that improve the lives of service members and their families, advocate for social justice and help heal the earth, just to name a few. Your generous financial donations have made real the construction that is about to begin on our new church and plans for the Community Life Center. And through Sunday collections and traditional fundraising, such as the Annual Appeal and the Tau Society, you help sustain our daily operations and support our Franciscan friars in training and aging friars in retirement. I am grateful to all who participated in this year's Annual Appeal. You have brought us $221,000 closer to reaching our FY 2016 sustainability goal of $1.3 million. Since 1951, the Casa has been renewing lives through spiritual growth, healing and transformation, and serving others. We need to raise and additional $280,000 in order to fill the gap. If you have not yet joined the Tau Society or made a gift to sustainability, please consider doing so now. Thank you for being a compassionate community that lives its faith by caring for all of God's creation. Happy Valentine's Day! Fr. Joe "That which gives us true freedom and true happiness is the compassionate love of Christ." - Pope Francis on Twitter Come to a Discover the Vision tour, and see what you've been missing! Discover the Vision Tours are taking the community by storm! More than 1,000 community members and friends of the Casa have come for a behind-the-scenes view of all that the Casa offers. Some enjoy it so much that they come back and bring their friends. You don't want to miss this chance to discover new opportunities and to hear firsthand stories of transformation from friars, staff and volunteers. Tours are held the first and third Thursdays of the month throughout the year.. And don't forget to bring a friend - or make a new one while you're here! 20 licensed, professional counselors volunteered their services at the Casa in FY 2015 DISCOVER THE VISION EVENTS Thursday, 18 February 2016, 6:00 pm Thursday, 3 March 2016,11:00 am Thursday, 17 March 2016, 6:00 pm Thursday, 7 April 2016, 11:00 am Three ways to reserve your spot today: thecasa. org; ext. 188; rsvp@thecasa.org RENEWING LIVES Ourselves. Our Communities. Our World. For more information regarding the RENEWING LIVES initiative, or to contribute material to the Vision Corner, please call or communications@thecasa.org Page 10 RENEWAL thecasa.org

11 COUNSELING MINISTRY We Are Here for YOU We welcome all who are interested in attending. Counseling Support Groups No appointments required for groups listed below Monday: 6:30-8:00 pm: Divorce & Separation/Relationship Endings Tuesday: 5:30-7:00 pm: Grief Support Group 6:30-8:30 pm: Depression Support Group Individual Sessions Individual sessions are available mornings, afternoons and evenings, Monday - Friday, and require an appointment. To make an appointment, please call the Counseling Ministry at ext. 133, 8:30 am - Noon. If you know someone who is looking for help, answers, guidance or just needs someone to listen, please suggest our counseling ministry. Judith McHale, MA, LPC, Director of Counseling Ministry For more information about our Counseling Ministry, please call , ext. 134 or counseling@thecasa.org MEETINGS & CONFERENCES We offer non-profit organizations an exclusively serene gathering place for meetings, conferences and special events. With spaces and lodging designed to inspire the mind and soothe the spirit, as well as exceptional food to nourish the body, the Franciscan Renewal Center is a wellness plan for non-profits that allows them to renew and recharge. Take a Google Virtual Tour of the campus at CasaMeetings.org. We appreciate referrals of churches, non-profits or government entities. Sue Force, Director of Meetings and Conferences "The scholars loved the tour. Some of them are going to be coming there for their 7th grade retreat and now they are REALLY looking forward to it. I had a few of them on the bus ride home tell me they would like to go back to spend some solitude time on the grounds. I was very impressed with their reactions. They were very attentive listeners and were interested in each of the discussions. They will be writing their reflection work later today for an activity. Thanks again!" Audrey Dieken, Community Resource Coordinator of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona For more information about hosting your next non-profit event at the Casa, contact Sue Force at , ext. 173 or sue@thecasa.org. Visit us at CasaMeetings.org thecasa.org RENEWAL Page 11

12 God's Gift of Forgiveness A Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Peace be with you! With these words, the Risen Lord greeted his frightened Apostles in the Upper Room on the day of his Resurrection. They were troubled, anxious, and fearful much like each one of us at some point in our lives. Christ repeated the words, Peace be with you. But then he added, Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them (Jn 20:19-23). What an extraordinary gift! The Risen Lord was proclaiming that all the suffering he had just endured was in order to make available the gifts of salvation and forgiveness. He wanted the Apostles to receive these gifts. He wanted them to become apostles of this forgiveness to others. In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacrificial love in the Eucharist. The Church sees confession as so important that she requires that every Catholic go at least once a year. 1 The Church also encourages frequent confession in order to grow closer to Christ Jesus and his Body, the Church. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we seek forgiveness and repentance, let go of patterns of sin, grow in the life of virtue, and witness to a joyful conversion. Since the graces of the sacrament are so similar to the purpose of the New Evangelization, Pope Benedict XVI has said, The New Evangelization... begins in the confessional! 2 We bishops and priests are eager to help you if you experience difficulty, hesitation, or uncertainty about approaching the Lord in this sacrament. If you have not received this healing sacrament in a long time, we are ready to welcome you. We, whom Christ has ordained to minister this forgiveness in his name, are also approaching this sacrament, as both penitents and ministers, throughout our lives and at this special moment of grace during Lent. We want to offer ourselves to you as forgiven sinners seeking to serve in the Lord s name. During Lent in addition to the various penitential services during which individual confession takes place we bishops and priests will be making ourselves available often for the individual celebration of this sacrament. We pray that through the work of the Holy Spirit, all Catholics clergy and laity will respond to the call of the New Evangelization to encounter Christ in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Come to the Lord and experience the extraordinary grace of his forgiveness! 1 2 He said to him, My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found. (Lk 15: 31-32) Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos Pope Benedict XVI, Address to the Annual Course on the Internal Forum Organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, march/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_ _ penitenzieria-apostolica_en.html. Copyright 2013, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. Scripture excerpts taken from the New American Bible, rev. ed. 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the English translation of Rite of Penance 1974, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Image front: Design Pics Inc. For the latest news and general information, visit us at thecasa.org or call the Front Desk at Page 12 RENEWAL thecasa.org Helping to ensure the continuity of the Casa.

13 Cornerstone at the Casa Meditation times: Wednesday 11:30 am in Casita; Friday, 11:30 am in Chapel; Monday 6:00 pm in Casita- Intro for Beginners Meditation is contemplative prayer in the Christian Tradition, honoring the Year of Mercy. The Casa Prayer Partners Ministry petitions prayers and prays for our human family. Send requests to: Men in Spirit We are a men s faith sharing group that meets on the 1st Saturday of every month. Join us for 7:00 am Mass, followed by breakfast and our meeting. Contact Meninspirit@thecasa.org The Casa Single Adults Ministry We are a group of single men and women who get together for fun, friendship and fellowship. We meet on the 2nd Friday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Franciscan Renewal Center. For upcoming events and activities and to be added to our distribution list contact casasingles@gmail.com. AZ Males On the last Wednesday of each month, men gather to sit in a circle we call "Illuman Men's Council" for growing the work of Illuman, reflection, contemplation, sharing and fellowship. Join us, meet other men on the spiritual journey, and learn about Arizona Males Spirituality, a licensed affiliate of Illuman. About the Franciscan Renewal Center The Franciscan Renewal Center began in 1951 as a place for retreat programs. Affectionately known as the Casa de Paz y Bien or simply the Casa, it is today a Catholic renewal center in Paradise Valley, Ariz., offering spiritual growth, healing and transformation that moves lives into the service of others. The Casa is an active religious community of the Order of Friars Minor part of the worldwide Franciscan family, following in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi. The Casa is a wholly owned entity of the Franciscan Province of Saint Barbara, based in Oakland, Calif., that works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Activities at the Casa include daily and Sunday Mass, retreats, gathering space for non-profit groups, licensed behavioral health counseling, as well as more than 50 volunteer ministries that give aid to the poor or vulnerable, empower individuals to improve their circumstances, and build community fellowship. Discover more at TheCasa.org Readings & Mass Intentions February 14 20, 2016 Sunday Dt 26:4-10; Ps 91:1-2, 10-15; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13 Pro-populo 7:30 am Alina Kacpura-Gronski 9:15 am Ann Parfet 11:00 am Carl Profera 7:00 pm Monday Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Terri Mansfield 7:00 am Tuesday Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 John Weir 7:00 am Wednesday Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 James Lynch 7:00 am Thursday Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 Sister Margaret Rox Knoll 7:00 am Friday Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Anthony J. Balance 7:00 am Saturday Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Delores Hernandez 7:00 am Nicholas Rayes 5:00 pm Next Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Sunday Phil 3: :1 [3: :1]; Lk 9:28b-36 The intentions listed here will be the intentions of the priest and will not be announced to the gathered assembly. Listing of upcoming Mass intentions will return next week. For the latest news and general information, visit us at thecasa.org or call the Front Desk at thecasa.org RENEWAL Page 13

14 February 14, 2016 The First Sunday in Lent This Week at the Casa February Sunday 8:00 am Blood Drive until 12:15 pm 8:45 am Just Scripture 9:00 am Casa Children's Celebration 10:00 am Casa ArtWalk 11:00 am Middle School Meeting 10:30 am Sacrament Prep 12:30 pm Faith Encounters the Ecological Crisis 5:00 pm Hogan's Heroes Monday 6:00 pm Cornerstone Center Meditation 6:30 pm Divorced & Separated Support Group Tuesday 5:30 pm Grief Support Group 6:00 pm Rosary 6:30 pm Depression Support Group 7:00 pm RCIA Catechetical Session Wednesday 10:00 am Arizona Bible Class 1:00 pm Simple Soup Lunch 4:00 pm Survival School Coaching Session 6:30 pm Baptism Parent Class Thursday 7:45 am Contemplative Prayer 9:30 am Daughters of Eve 5:00 pm Brush with God Retreat 6:00 pm Discover the Vision 6:30 pm Catholics Can Come Home 6:30 pm Pax Christi 6:30 pm Mindfulness Drop-in Gathering Friday 5:45 pm Stations of the Cross 6:00 pm Simple Soup Supper 6:00 pm The Courage to Do the Right Thing Saturday 9:00 am Franciscan Mentor Program 9:30 am St. John's Bible Presentation 3:00 pm Pace Minore Music and Danc 5:00 pm Community Lenten Mission with Fr. Larry Dolan Some of these events require advance registration. Please visit thecasa.org or call for more information. Check here each week for the latest progress on the Casa's Master Plan for improvements and expansion. Parking Lot Changes See the insert in today's bulletin for a map of the new parking flow that will be in effect until Easter. The New Church of Our Lady of the Angels The building permit for this project has been received from Maricopa County. Tree Removal Tree removal has been delayed and is expected to begin by next week. Community Life Center We are in the process of reviewing comments from the CLC Advisory Group. Your light must shine before all so that they may see goodness in your acts. (Matthew 5:16) We should view our giving in gratitude to God by considering how blessed we are using our gifts and talents for the good of others. A gift in any amount given through your estate will benefit future generations of the faithful. La Verna LEGACY SOCIETY Contact Rachel Oesterle to learn more about the La Verna Legacy Society and estate planning with the Franciscan Renewal Center. Call , ext. 161, or visit thecasa.org/give/ endowment-giving Helping to ensure the continuity of the Casa. thecasa.org RENEWAL