Dear friends,

We have begun the discipline of Lent!  The church gives us a season of “repentance” every year to reflect upon our relationship with the Lord and to return to the basics of our faith.  In our Judeo-Christian tradition, “repentance” is typically marked by works of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We have strived to provide you with opportunities in each of these categories to enrich your observance of Lent.  Please refer to the bulletin and parish website for full details of Lenten opportunities.  I would like to raise up for your consideration this week:

Almsgiving:  Support our Haiti “Giving Tree” project. You will find the giving tree in the narthex.  Each leaf has the name of a child on it.  Your donation ($50 suggested) will provide the child with a free lunch during this school year in our sister parish’s school.  Donations will also support the purchase of uniforms and school supplies for the child. 

Fasting:  Every Friday there will be a simple meal at 6:30pm followed by Stations of the Cross and benediction at 7:30pm. Whatever we “give up” or “fast” from this Lent (chocolate, computer games, etc.), our hunger for something is to remind us that our ultimate hunger is for God and nothing or no one else will satisfy this deepest of all hungers.

Prayer:  The parish mission with Fr. Josh Laws begins next weekend. This is a family event.   Fr. Laws will preach at all weekend Masses March 4th & 5th.  On Sunday evening there will be a mission for young people after the 5:30 Mass. Dinner will be provided.  On Monday (6) & Tuesday (7) the mission will begin at 6:30pm. Children are welcome.   There will be Children’s Liturgy of the Word each evening while Fr. Laws offers a prayer service and reflection in the church for adults.  There will be an opportunity for confessions on Tuesday.  Food will be available each evening.  

Finally, a word of thanks to all who made possible this year’s Winter Relief project, especially Matt Frisch and Maureen Fuller who coordinated the week’s activities. Also, a “shout out” to Boy Scout Troop #758 for this year’s Shrove Tuesday Dinner  -- it was a great success.                

Have a wonderful week!

Msgr. Woy

Sunday Worship Aid

Weekly Updates

• HAITI OUTREACH - LENTEN GIVING TREE|
  Please consider adding a leaf to the “Giving Tree“ in the narthex to “adopt” a child for the school year. Each leaf has the name of a child in the preschool in our sister parish in Haiti, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Your donation will feed a child a hot lunch for every day for the rest of the school year and assist with the purchase of uniforms and books.
  
  If writing a check, note “Lenten Giving Tree” in the memo line and place in the collection box or send it to the office. If giving through Give Central select “Haiti Outreach – Lenten Giving Tree”. Please remember your “adopted” child and his/her family in your prayers.
   
• Lenten Faith Sharing Groups 
  There is still time to join a Lenten Faith Sharing Group. We still have availability in several of our groups.  Check out the groups and sign up!
   
• Prayer Intention to the Holy Land
  Father Paul Sparklin will be leading a group to the Holy Land March 1-11. If anyone would like to submit a prayer intention, please email them to holylandintentions@smpschurch.org.  These will be collected and written in a book that will be present for daily Mass offered during the trip.