“Arise and Eat, Else the Journey Will Be Too Great for You.” (I Kings 19:7)

Mass Intentions

Sat.        Apr. 1          5:00 pm      †Isabelle McLenighan

Sun.       Apr. 2        10:00 am      People of the Parish

             Hispanic      2:30 pm      People of the Community

                                6:00 pm      †Rev. Allen J. McIntyre

Tues.   Apr. 4        5:30 pm      Communion Service

Wed.     Apr. 5         10:00 am     †James Mashek

Thurs.    Apr. 6           5:30 pm     †Clarence McDonald

Fri.        Apr. 7          8:00 am      End to Abortion

Sat.        Apr. 8          8:00 am      †Hannah & Ed Knoblauch

                                5:00 pm      †Mary Nunn

Sun.       Apr. 9        10:00 am      †Mary Madson

             Hispanic      2:30 pm      People of the Community

                                6:00 pm      People of the Parish

 

Prayer Corner

Please remember the sick of our parish in your prayers:  Roland Bangsund, Jan Blod, Tom Burwell, Marion Caylor, Elise Christianson, Jim Dawson, Robert Fink, Debbie Griggs, Elizabeth Hanley, Rose Hennen, Rose Holland, Donna Johanns, Dorene Johnson, Gloria Lindquist, Renee Lubbers, Joseph Mannelly, John McGowan, Deacon Jim Murphy, Irene Turmes, Bob and Barb Velner, and Jim Walker.

The family of Gerald Kaminski requests your prayers on the anniversary of his death on April 1, 2005.

Readings for the Week

Monday:       Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62];

                     Jn 8:1-11

Tuesday:       Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30

Wednesday:  Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42

Thursday:      Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59

Friday:          Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42

Saturday:       Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56

Sunday:         Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 (procession);

                     Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11;

                     Mk 14:1 — 15:47 [15:1-39]

GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO EVERYONE

 

You and I began Lent marked with ashes in the form of a cross, accompanied with the challenge "Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel."  This is a short but powerful injunction to us whose way through Lent and life is marked with dust and ashes, and whose destiny is beyond this world and what it has to offer.  Right now we are beyond the half-way mark of this year's Lenten journey.  It may be time to check-in on our progress and fidelity to that Ash Wednesday command.  One of the most important things to do during this season is the examination of conscience and the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession.  Reviewing the Commandments, the Beatitudes and how we are living our vocations, help us define our shortcomings and our sins.  Examination of conscience helps us see always that our lives, our choices, our words, thoughts, deeds and omissions are in need of improvement, of conversion, of turning around.  To understand ourselves and our relationship to God and to others, it is helpful to follow an examination of conscience with some thought and prayer in response to this question:  Why did I commit this or that sin?  Discovering what is behind words or actions that are sinful, helps one know oneself more deeply; one also realizes that only a deeper relationship with God can move oneself beyond those motives.  A further question to pray about is:  What moves me to do good?  Love is the source of our life from God and in Christ; love is how we express our faith in God to each other.  So, what do I love, how do I love, why do I pray, what is my reason for going to Mass and participating in that great prayer, why do I volunteer, serve others with a cheerful heart, be faithful to my vocation at work or school and in the family, etc.?  This Lenten journey can and will yield abundant insight and growth, human and spiritual.  And the Sacrament of Reconciliation will bring a human and spiritual cleansing to us.  Check the bulletin cover for weekly confession times, and remember the Communal Penance Service on this Wednesday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m.  Happy Lent!

—Father Ralph

P.S.  If you missed last week's bulletin, then I encourage you to notice the improved lighting by our Stations of the Cross.  Remember too that you may direct an offering to me to install a motor under the Baptismal Font so we can have flowing water there again, and be anonymous or not in that gift, as you wish.    

 

 

 

   Healing Mass

   April 6 at 7 pm at St. Joseph’s Church in Hopkins

     A healing Mass with Fr. Jim Livingston will be held downstairs in the Social Hall. All are welcome.

Communal Penance Service

Church of St. John the Evangelist

Wednesday, April 5 at 7:00 pm