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

BLESSED LENTEN DAY TO YOU ALL, AND WELCOME

 

The desert is a familiar and unwelcoming place for Jesus in his day, and for us Americans in our day.  The war and the deserts in Iraq and Afghanistan are all too familiar and very unwelcome to us.  The temptations of Jesus in the desert, given for our reflection in the Gospel of today, invite us to mirror ourselves in his experience.  The truth is that we struggle with temptations as Jesus did.  Lent provides the incentive each person needs to look deeply into the self and discover the demons that try to control our lives.  If we are sincere and faithful in facing those temptations (smoking, language, abuse of self or others, injustice at work or with those one lives with, drugs, anger, etc., etc.) we, like Jesus, will discover not only the demons, but the Spirit of God, not only a wasteland within, but God’s grace of strength and wisdom.  What a wonderful revelation awaits us through a faithful and sincere Lent.  Like Jesus, we can be sure we will come forth from the desert with a new awareness that we are called to preach the Good News, to promote the Gospel of Jesus in our works and words, attitude and actions.  Lent offers a wonderful time of self-discovery. 

Our parish LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS continue on Fridays at 6:00 p.m. Come early to help if you can or come to eat with other parishioners when you can.  Reserve your place on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board of the foyer or call the parish office on Monday before the Friday you can attend.  The parish LENTEN HOLY HOUR AND STATIONS continue at 7:00 p.m. on Fridays.  This is not only a prayer experience for those who are accustomed to the Stations of the Cross and Adoration of the Eucharist, but also the hour provides an opportunity for families to pray together, and for parents to introduce their children, young and old, to a traditional and grace-filled time of praise and prayer.

                                                                                                                                         —Father Ralph

 

Mass Intentions

Sat.        Mar. 4          5:00 pm      People of the Parish

Sun.       Mar. 5        10:00 am      †Barb Sullivan

             Hispanic      2:30 pm      People of the Community

                                6:00 pm      †Child Victims of Tsunami

Tues.     Mar. 7          5:30 pm      †Jerry Mashek

Wed.     Mar. 8        10:00 am     †James Mashek

Thurs.    Mar. 9          5:30 pm     †Joe Weigel

Fri.        Mar. 10        8:00 am      †Clyde Fleming

Sat.        Mar. 11        8:00 am      †Sr. Mary Mathilda, C.D.P.

                                5:00 pm      †Mary Madson

Sun.       Mar. 12      10:00 am      †Anne Tautin

             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:  Jan Blod, Tom Burwell, Elise Christianson, Mark Clifford, Jerry Davies, Jim Dawson, Robert Fink, Louise Fox, Debbie Griggs, Elizabeth Hanley, Rose Holland, Donna Johanns, Dorene Johnson, Gloria Lindquist, Renee Lubbers, Joseph Mannelly, Margaret Schmit, Irene Turmes, Bob and Barb Velner, and Jim Walker.

 

Readings for the Week

Monday:       Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:31-46

Tuesday:       Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15

Wednesday:  Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32

Thursday:      Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Mt 7:7-12

Friday:          Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26

Saturday:       Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48

Sunday:         Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Ps 116;

                     Rom 8:31b-34; Mk 9:2-10

Old Palms, Rice Bowls & Lenten Books

Last year's palms may be put in the basket by the table in the foyer.  Rice bowls and our black Lenten books (while supply lasts) will be available on the foyer table and the table at the southeast corner of the church.   

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.

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths.

—Psalm 25:4