Third Sunday in Lent

March 19, 2006

Religious Education

Lola Higgins, Director

All Faith Formation Classes will be held as scheduled this week.

Grade 2—Sacrament class and Parent meeting will take place this Wednesday, March 22^nd at 6:30 pm.

Jr. High Faith Formation Classes will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 24^th. Come and support these young people by coming to the soup supper at 6:00 pm and attending the Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm.

Confirmation Class—next class is Sunday, March 26^th. The 10^th grade will be participating in service at Mary’s Place in the afternoon from 1–3 pm.  The 9^th grade will meet at the usual time of 7:00 pm.

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Rice Bowls

As part of our faith community’s Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. For thirty-one years, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast, learn and give as we increase our understanding of our global community and connect that with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching throughout our Lenten journey. We encourage you to participate in Operation Rice Bowl at home with your family and loved ones. Rice Bowl materials are available in the kiosk and at the Southeast church entrance.

Hopkins Catholic Youth Ministry

Robyn Magalska, Director

This Sunday, March 19^th, we will continue our Youth Evangelization Initiative series.  Small group gatherings will take place from 7:15–-8:30 pm in Leo’s Den on all remaining Sundays during Lent.  The gatherings will also include fellowship, games, and food!  All 7^th – 12^th graders are welcome.  

Join us for the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast on April 2^nd, serving from 8 am–Noon in the Social Hall at St. Joe’s.  We will be helping the Knights serve in exchange for a donation for our summer mission trip.  All students are welcome to help serve and adults are encouraged to come for the breakfast to support each of these groups. 

Mark your calendars for our Timberwolves outing on Sunday, April 9^th.  We will depart from St. John’s at 1 pm and return at 5:30 pm.  The cost is $24 for a ticket and $10 of that cost will go directly toward our mission trip fund! The bus is an additional $3.  Permission slips are required for all participants under 18.  Friends and family are welcome.  Pay attention for more information on this fun way to support your parish youth mission trip!

Lenten Regulations

The Christian faithful are to do penance through prayer, abstinence and by exercising works of piety and charity. All Fridays through the year, and especially during Lent, are penitential days.

Abstinence All who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.

Fasting All those who are 18 or older, until their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Only one full meal is allowed on days of fast.

Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be eaten according to one’s need: but, together, they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted but liquids are allowed.

The obligation does not apply to those whose health or ability to work would be affected seriously. People in doubt about fast or abstinence should consult a parish priest or confessor.

Easter Memorial Flowers

Remember your loved ones, living and deceased. Memorial envelopes are available after all Masses. Donations will be used for Easter flowers. All names received before Monday, April 3 will be included on a printed listing distributed at Easter. 

St. Clare Guild Meeting

Tuesday, March 28th at 7:00 pm

We will meet at the home of Pat Anderson, 409 Harrison Ave. S.  Hopkins. We sew baptismal gowns for the parish. New members are always welcome!

Annual Catholic Appeal Update

Last week St. John’s reached 70% of its Annual Catholic Appeal Goal of $42,094.  Thank you for your pledges to our Archdiocese.  Remember for every dollar pledged that St. John’s receives 25 cents (or ¼ of the pledge) to use for our Faith Formation programs.

Your prayers for the success of the Annual Catholic Appeal and the ministries it supports are still needed, as are pledges and gifts. Each gift is important to the mission of our Archdiocese; it takes many people to form the Body of Christ. No gift is too small. Please return a pledge slip with your response today. If you have not sent in your pledge, it is not too late. Send it in soon to avoid being called by the Archdiocese.