The Season of Lent has three Pillars - Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Over the next few weeks we will examine these, as well as other, aspects of this Season of Grace.
Prayer
The Gospel of this Sunday ( Mark 1:12-15) says that Jesus spend Forty Days in the Desert - Praying. So we begin our Lenten reflections the same way - looking at Prayer.
Our family of faith is one that recognizes the importance of prayer in all that we do. Prayer is the common bond that we share as a family, regardless of our language, age or geographic location. From the child praying before bed to the prayer group at the parish, our family of faith continues to pray for those in our community and those around the world.
Everyone is called to live a “vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558
We can pray alone or with the others, we worship together as parish communities at Mass and pray as families. There are many types of prayer and many different styles of worship, but all center on living and experiencing our relationship with the living God.
Four basic elements...
1. Blessing and Adoration (praising God)
2. Prayer of Petition (asking for what we need, including forgiveness)
3. Prayer of Intercession (asking for what others need)
4. Prayer of Thanksgiving (for what God has given and done)
Tips for Praying:
✝ Find a quiet place and time
✝ Calm yourself and put away distractions
✝ Speak what you feel to God, or use set prayers
✝ Take time to listen
✝ Use the Bible in your prayer
✝ Consider keeping a prayer journal
✝ Pray daily
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Breakfast and a Book
Breakfast and a Book
Re Discovering Catholicism
So often in his messages, Pope Benedict XVI invites us to "rekindle our baptismal faith". The Season of Lent affords us a special period of time in which to do so. All parishioners will be given the opportunity to read a thought provoking book by Matthew Kelly entitled, "Rediscovering Catholicism." Copies will be made available for interested parishioners. An opportunity to discuss the contents of this book with Father Freitas will be provided during an interactive breakfast gathering on the following dates at 9:00a.m. in the Parish Centre (concluding at 10:00am.)
"We Become What We Celebrate" on Saturday, February 25, 2012
"The Authentic Life" on Saturday, March 3,2012
"The Seven Pillars of Catholicism" on Saturday, March 17, 2012
"Now is Our Time" on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Re Discovering Catholicism
So often in his messages, Pope Benedict XVI invites us to "rekindle our baptismal faith". The Season of Lent affords us a special period of time in which to do so. All parishioners will be given the opportunity to read a thought provoking book by Matthew Kelly entitled, "Rediscovering Catholicism." Copies will be made available for interested parishioners. An opportunity to discuss the contents of this book with Father Freitas will be provided during an interactive breakfast gathering on the following dates at 9:00a.m. in the Parish Centre (concluding at 10:00am.)
"We Become What We Celebrate" on Saturday, February 25, 2012
"The Authentic Life" on Saturday, March 3,2012
"The Seven Pillars of Catholicism" on Saturday, March 17, 2012
"Now is Our Time" on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Getting Ready for Lent
What a great evening we had last Sunday at our 3rd Annual Parish Spaghetti Supper! We had 25 tables filled with happy parishioners who agreed “the proof was in the pasta.” Thank you to all who helped with the event; especially our Fundraising and Social Committees, our Confirmation candidates, our kitchen helpers, and our set-up crew. Amazing job everyone !
Inserted in the bulletin this weekend is the Lenten edition of our parish newsletter “Our Family of Faith.” The Season of Lent (which begins this Wednesday) is a time of spiritual renewal. I have highlighted for you a few activities:
During Lent, every Monday, Mass will be celebrated at 8:00a.m. I encourage you during Lent, if possible, to attend Mass during one of our weekdays.
Tuesday Night Together - Lenten Edition. On March 6 we will welcome Dr. Moira McQueen, Professor of Moral Theology at St Michael’s College, Toronto who will talk about the various moral questions of today. Mass is at 7:00p.m; the evening presentation will begin right after.
This year, for our “Lenten Parish Mission” we will welcome various guest preachers on the Lord’s Day Weekends of Lent. Please see the newsletter for a complete list of our guests.
Parish Penance Celebration: On Wednesday, March 21st, five visiting priests including Monsignor Edward Sheridan, Vicar General of the Diocese of Hamilton will be here to lead us in celebrating the Mercy of God.
Stations of the Cross will be prayed each Friday evening at 7:00p.m. We encourage you to come out and use this opportunity for spiritual growth.
Visits to the Homebound and Sick. During the Season of Lent, I wish to make special visits to each of our homebound parishioners to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick and Reconciliation individually with each. Families are asked to call our parish office to arrange a home visit during Lent.
Come Home Weekend will be March 3 & 4, 2012- It’s a special weekend to welcome home friends who have been away. Our special guest on this weekend will be Bishop Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton. Please pray about who you will invite.
Inserted in the bulletin this weekend is the Lenten edition of our parish newsletter “Our Family of Faith.” The Season of Lent (which begins this Wednesday) is a time of spiritual renewal. I have highlighted for you a few activities:
During Lent, every Monday, Mass will be celebrated at 8:00a.m. I encourage you during Lent, if possible, to attend Mass during one of our weekdays.
Tuesday Night Together - Lenten Edition. On March 6 we will welcome Dr. Moira McQueen, Professor of Moral Theology at St Michael’s College, Toronto who will talk about the various moral questions of today. Mass is at 7:00p.m; the evening presentation will begin right after.
This year, for our “Lenten Parish Mission” we will welcome various guest preachers on the Lord’s Day Weekends of Lent. Please see the newsletter for a complete list of our guests.
Parish Penance Celebration: On Wednesday, March 21st, five visiting priests including Monsignor Edward Sheridan, Vicar General of the Diocese of Hamilton will be here to lead us in celebrating the Mercy of God.
Stations of the Cross will be prayed each Friday evening at 7:00p.m. We encourage you to come out and use this opportunity for spiritual growth.
Visits to the Homebound and Sick. During the Season of Lent, I wish to make special visits to each of our homebound parishioners to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick and Reconciliation individually with each. Families are asked to call our parish office to arrange a home visit during Lent.
Come Home Weekend will be March 3 & 4, 2012- It’s a special weekend to welcome home friends who have been away. Our special guest on this weekend will be Bishop Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton. Please pray about who you will invite.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Year 2012 is the 155th anniversary of the founding of our parish family. Much has been accomplished in God’s grace, through the intercession of Our Lady of the Visitation, by those who have worked together within our parish family. To mark our anniversary five major events will take place:
1. Lenten Speakers Series: During the Lord’s Day Weekends of the Season of Lent various guest preachers will be invited to make the entire Lenten Season - a Parish Mission. The guest priests will include Monsignor Vincent Kerr, Chancellor of Hamilton Diocese. Father Ken LeBlanc of the Legionaries of Christ. Father Peter Amszej, Professor at St Peter’s Seminary, London. And on the weekend of March 4/5, 2012, Bishop Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton. It will be a spiritually blessed Lent for our parish!
2.Taste of St Mary’s Dinner: We will be hosting a parish wide dinner - potluck! It will be an opportunity for all in the parish to bring your favourite dishes, cultural specialities and unique family recipes to the largest Potluck Dinner in Hespeler ever. Details will be coming- get your recipes ready!
3. Visitation Garden: We have engaged local Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz to create for us a unique design called "Our Lady of Visitation Garden". It will include a life size sculpture cast in bronze metal of the Visitation. It will be placed in the garden area between the Parish Centre and Church and will surely become a focal point of parish life. It will also include a monument to the Gift of Life. Please watch for details and ways you can help with this project.
4. Parish Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and Assisi in October 2012. We will embark upon an exciting parish pilgrimage; watch for details.
5. Anniversary Mass. We will conclude our Anniversary year with a special Anniversary Weekend on December 8/9th with Father Thomas Roscia, CSB, President of Salt and Light Television, as our guest. It will also mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of our Adoration Chapel and special activities are planned for December 8th .
May all that we will do together during our 155th Anniversary Year be only the genesis of what we will be: A Home Where There is Something for Everyone; a Family of Faith that Remembers our Past, Celebrates our Present and Believes in the Providence of God for our Future.
1. Lenten Speakers Series: During the Lord’s Day Weekends of the Season of Lent various guest preachers will be invited to make the entire Lenten Season - a Parish Mission. The guest priests will include Monsignor Vincent Kerr, Chancellor of Hamilton Diocese. Father Ken LeBlanc of the Legionaries of Christ. Father Peter Amszej, Professor at St Peter’s Seminary, London. And on the weekend of March 4/5, 2012, Bishop Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton. It will be a spiritually blessed Lent for our parish!
2.Taste of St Mary’s Dinner: We will be hosting a parish wide dinner - potluck! It will be an opportunity for all in the parish to bring your favourite dishes, cultural specialities and unique family recipes to the largest Potluck Dinner in Hespeler ever. Details will be coming- get your recipes ready!
3. Visitation Garden: We have engaged local Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz to create for us a unique design called "Our Lady of Visitation Garden". It will include a life size sculpture cast in bronze metal of the Visitation. It will be placed in the garden area between the Parish Centre and Church and will surely become a focal point of parish life. It will also include a monument to the Gift of Life. Please watch for details and ways you can help with this project.
4. Parish Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and Assisi in October 2012. We will embark upon an exciting parish pilgrimage; watch for details.
5. Anniversary Mass. We will conclude our Anniversary year with a special Anniversary Weekend on December 8/9th with Father Thomas Roscia, CSB, President of Salt and Light Television, as our guest. It will also mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of our Adoration Chapel and special activities are planned for December 8th .
May all that we will do together during our 155th Anniversary Year be only the genesis of what we will be: A Home Where There is Something for Everyone; a Family of Faith that Remembers our Past, Celebrates our Present and Believes in the Providence of God for our Future.
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