First Sunday in Lent

March 5, 2006

The choir is rehearsing music for Holy Week and Easter and would welcome anyone who is willing to join us.  

We meet Thursday Nights at 6:30 PM

 in the church.  We welcome all ages!

We are grateful for the students

who have been joining us

for the week-end liturgies…please keep coming.

My sincere thanks for all the faithful members

of all the choirs.  Your dedication and faithful

attendance week after week is unmatched to say nothing of your great voices!!  Thanks,Katie

Religious Education

Lola Higgins, Director

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

Eucharist class #4 will meet on Wednesday, March 8^th at 6:30 pm in the school.

Confirmation’s next class is Sunday, March 12 at 7 pm in the Community Room. That night there will be a speaker, Sue Obremfski from Crisis Connection, to talk to the classes about adolescent depression and suicide.

Bible School Is Back—Wednesday, March 15^th will be another Bible School night. This is a night of Family Faith Formation & Fun. This week we will Celebrate God’s Love. Come and learn how God loves and forgives us and how we can start all over again.

Did you know? That the Junior High will be presenting the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 24^th at 7:00 pm in the church. Join us early for the simple soup supper sponsored by the Religious Education parents that night at 6:00 pm. Sign up in the church foyer.

Hopkins Catholic Youth Ministry

Robyn Magalska, Director

Thank you to all who supported our Life-Care Center “Baby Shower” last month.  Over $100 and a full car load of infant items were collected to support their program. 

This Sunday, March 5^th, there is a Quest Retreat review meeting for all students and adults who made the retreat or who helped with any part of the retreat.  The meeting will take place at 7:15–8:30 pm in Leo’s Den at St. John’s. 

All 9^th–12^th graders are encouraged to participate in The Famine on March 10^th and 11^th.  This experience begins on Friday at 4pm at St. John’s and concludes on Saturday at 10 pm.  If you cannot attend the entire time, you can still participate if you make arrangements in advance.  This event will include a 24-hour fast (optional), games, service, prayer and education on local and world hunger.  It is a fun and eye-opening opportunity that you don’t want to miss this Lent!  There is no cost, but students are encouraged to get sponsors for their fast.  Any donations will go toward Catholic Relief Services. Registration packets are available at both parishes.  Call the youth office for more information.

All 7^th–12^th graders are invited to help with the Feed My Starving Children service project on Saturday, March 11^th.  We will meet at St. John’s at 4 pm and return at 7 pm.  Permission slips are required.

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

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. 

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.