GETTING READY FOR LENT

            Believe it or not, Lent is only eleven days away.  Lent is a special time of retreat and renewal for the entire Church, in union with the Catechumens and Candidates, so that we can collectively deepen our relationship with God, and prepare ourselves to recommit our lives to Christ through the renewal of Baptismal Promises at the Easter Masses.

There are, of course, the three traditional disciplines of Lent—Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.  We should plan to utilize each of these in some way during this time.  They are spiritual tools that can help us greatly in growing as Disciples of Christ.  Other than the rules for fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent, the rest is up to each of us individually.

What are the rules for fasting and abstinence during Lent?  Catholics from 18 to 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  This is defined as eating one full meal, and the food taken throughout the rest of the day should not add up to a full meal.  Catholics over the age of 14 must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday.  Abstinence from meat does not forbid the use of broths or soups flavored with meat, as well as milk, eggs, butter, margarine, and other products made from animal juices or fat.

 

PARISH MISSION

            Part of our parish Lenten journey will be a special Parish Mission put on by Fr. Richard McAlear O.M.I. on March 8, 9, and 10, at 7:00 PM.  Father Mac has had a very powerful ministry of teaching and healing for many years.  He came to Immaculate Heart of Mary a few years ago for one service.  It was truly an amazingly powerful and moving event.  I hope that all of you will make time to attend all or part of this parish mission.  With no hesitation, I promise you that it will be a transforming moment in your life.

            Each night of the mission will focus on our relationship with one member of the Blessed Trinity.  On the first evening, Monday, March 8, we will look at healing our relationship with God the Father.  Father will speak on the Healing Power of Forgiveness.  A major part of the evening will be the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This will be our Parish Reconciliation service for the season of Lent. 

            On the second night, Tuesday, March 9, Father will speak on the Healing Power of the Holy Spirit.  He will pray over everyone who is present, no matter how long that takes.  This will include prayer for physical, spiritual and emotional healing.  Having been with Father for his healing prayer service the last time he was at IHM, I assure you that this is one night you do not want to miss.  Expect great things and you will see great wonders.

            The third night will focus on the Healing Power of our Lord Jesus Christ, present to us in the Blessed Sacrament.  Within the context of Eucharistic Adoration, Father will teach on Jesus the Healer, and will process through the Church, blessing each of us with the Monstrance containing the Body of Christ.  When I traveled to Lourdes a number of years ago, we were told that the majority of healings at Lourdes did not take place when people washed in the waters of Lourdes, but during the Eucharistic Procession.  We should not be surprised at this, as we know that this is Jesus truly present among us.

            Come, bring your family and friends, and experience the healing love and power of God.  Use our mission to make this Lent the best you have ever experienced.

           

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

            On the Wednesdays of Lent (except for March 10, which is part of the Parish Mission) I will be teaching on the Gospel of Luke, at noon and at 7:00 PM.  We are in the third year of our Lectionary cycle, and the Gospel that we will be reading from throughout the year will be the Gospel of Luke.  I hope that these sessions will help you to get much more from the Gospel texts.  The sessions will be:

 

            Feb. 24   Beginnings:  Luke’s Prologue and Infancy Narrative

            Mar.  3   The Ministry and Teaching of Jesus

17       On Pilgrimage With Jesus—The Journey to Jerusalem

24   Luke’s Passion and Resurrection Narratives

 

CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH

            Christ Renews His Parish is a wonderful way to renew your relationship with Christ, grow in and deepen your Catholic faith, and meet other great Catholic men and women who are also trying to live their discipleship more fully.  I strongly encourage you to consider making one of the up coming weekends.  The women’s Christ Renews His Parish weekend will be March 27 and 28 and the men’s weekend will be on April 17 and 18.  If you are interested in learning more about Christ Renews His Parish you can call Deacon Greg or me at 689-5010.

           

           

What IHM Means to Me....

IHM means more to me than words can express. It was IHM's youth group that taught, and continues to teach, me how to live my faith when everything in my life seemed to be falling apart and if I drifted any farther from Jesus it would be very, very difficult for me to turn things around. IHM is the one place I know I can go where no one is going to push me away because they accept me for who I am. I don't have many places like that, because I never was really 100% accepted at my old school, and now, going into high school, I know that there will be people there who are going to turn me away. IHM is a place I can go to worship, and a comfortable place I can go to just be ME.

Erin Sheehy