Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council Spiritual Development Committee Judy Look Chair Communique # 5 Happy February the Month of Love. Hearts surround us this month. I wonder if the advertisers realize that for Catholics hearts remind us of the Sacred Heart of Jesus whose love for us lead Him to the Cross. Only three and a half more weeks before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.. All of us have our own memories of Lent and many of us continue with the same rituals even in our councils. This year let us take the opportunity to change things up. Let us understand Lent from the point of view of our church. The highest point in the Church year of prayer is the Sacred Paschal Triduum celebrating the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus. We prepare for this three-day period during the Season of Lent and prolong it for the great 50 days of the Easter Season. Lent has a dual purpose. It helps catechumens prepare for celebrating Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil and it invites those who are baptized through penance and prayer to prepare to renew their baptismal vows at the Vigil. Ordo the Liturgical Calendar of CCCB for 2016-17 When I read that I asked myself I wonder how many of our ladies are familiar with RCIA? The head of RCIA in your parish may be a great guest speaker for one of your meeting. I
Two suggestions Council Spiritual Activities for Lent Prayer 1. Stations of the Cross In cooperation with the Community Life Chair we are suggesting that each council pray the Development and Peace s Solidarity Way of the Cross. Women at the Heart of Change. You can download it from the Development and Peace Website. The downloaded handout could go home with the ladies to use for their personal prayer life. Did you know that the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace ( CCODP) was founded and mandated in 1967 by the Bishops of Canada, and now a member of the Caritas International network of Catholic agencies, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace financially supports development and aid projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and informs Canadian Catholics on international social justice questions. 2. Pray one decade of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with a short reflection on each bead. You might want to use the following Meditative Prayer on the First Sorrowful Mystery Chair Invite the ladies to sit in a circle In the middle of the circle have a candle. Share with the ladies that they will be praying only one decade of the Rosary the first sorrowful mystery The Agony in the Garden. Before each prayer there will be a short meditation. The pause before you begin the prayer should be long enough for them to see the picture Chair Light the candle and pray: As we begin our forty days of Lent let us join Jesus in the Garden as he prepares for his final days. Let us give Him thanks for giving His life so we can have eternal life. Chair: Let us go to the garden and kneel beside Jesus -pause - Our Father Feel the anxiety Jesus has as he realizes what lies in front of him. See his tears as he asks His Father to take away this cup
See Him pale as He thinks of His mother Feel the tingling of betrayal as Jesus remembers his friend Judas Sense his resolve as He prepares to give himself Feels his frustration when he sees the three apostles sleeping Feel Him gain strength as the Holy Spirit enters him Listen as he thanks the Father for placing the salvation of mankind in his hands Stand with Him as he moves out of the garden Wipe away your tears as you pray for courage to witness to the truth Think of one way you can make a difference in another members life pause Glory Be Invite the ladies to stand and pray the League Prayer ******************************************************************************* Other Spiritual Development Activities for the Meeting Fasting: On the plates that usually hold goodies place names of ladies attending the meeting. When the ladies come for a coffee ask them to pick up a prayer partner in place of the goodie they usually enjoy. Have a container for people to donate their loose change and designate it for the CCODP collection on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. **************************************************************************** Information re: Fasting Christian fasting obtains its full meaning when we deprive ourselves of food in order to be more open to prayer, to share more in the suffering of those who are starving and to save money to give to the poor. Fasting is a penitential discipline intended to open our hearts to God and others, a means of purification and spiritual liberation, a witness of the depth of our faith. ORDO Liturgical Calendar for 2016-17
Ø Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence Ø The law of abstinence from meat binds those who are 14 and older; the law of fasting binds those from 18-59 years of age. Ø The Paschal Fast is observed on Good Friday and where possible continued through Holy Saturday. Suggestions for Spiritual Development Reading National Spiritual Development Committee Book and Website Suggestions 1. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A 12 Week Bible Study Guide is included that could be used to facilitate a parish gathering. 2. Messy and Foolish:How to Make a Mess, Be a Fool and Evangelize the World by Matthew Warner. 3. 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration by Father Michael Gaitley. This book brings together spiritual renewal and Marian devotion. 4. Living with Christ.: This missal provides us opportunity to ponder daily readings. 5. Lectio Divina with Cardinal Thomas Collins. Praying with scripture can have a profound effect. Go to saltandlighttv.org/lectiodivina 6. Formed. This site has been officially launched in Canada. This Catholic Netflix includes a vast number of programs, movies, audio series and e-books. Access to this website is restricted to subscribers only (individual or parish). Individuals can use a free seven day trial that is available or subscribe for a monthly fee of $9.99. Go to formed.org 7. Click to Pray. This website and app is from the Pope s Worldwide Prayer Network where users can have short prayers and intentions sent three times a day to their phones or computers. Visit clicktopray.org. 8. 3 Minute Retreat. This website and app is from Loyola Press. It allows for short breaks to spend a few minutes quietly reflecting on a Scripture passage. Visit /www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer. Suggestion for Reflection and Meditation for Lent `Father Andrew Provincial Spiritual Advisor Amoris Laetitia - The Joy of Love - Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis
Take every opportunity to spend some time with the Lord and ask Him for His guidance as you prepare your council for this very Holy Season of Lent. Judy