Parish Announcements for the 2nd Sunday of Lent

1. The Women's Empowerment Ministry will meet on Sunday at 4p.m. at Mt D'or.

2. Fridays of Lent we celebrate the Way of the Cross organized by the Youth Group and TVY Teams. We begin at the foot of Calvary at 6 pm. Stations of the Cross will also be celebrated at 6 pm every Friday in St. Jude Chapel in Mt. D’or. We would like to encourage all parishioners to participate in this noble lenten prayer in which we meditate the sacrifice of our Redeemer.

3. Registration of children for the new first communion and confirmation programs is ongoing. You can do this on Saturday mornings at 9 am.

4. Our Cinema Club invites you to watch and discuss a beautiful film: Claire and Francis, well known saints and close friends who changed the world. The screening will take place in the Parish Hall on Sunday 3rd March at 4pm.

5. Camsel – the publishers of the Catholic News is advising that in coming weeks, there will be a coupon printed in the Catholic News which will allow you enter the competition in order to win a place in a pilgrimage to Rome for Pentecost. So beginning this weekend and continuing for the next 3 weekends ( March 3rd , 10th and 17th) the cost of the Catholic News will be increased to $5.

6. To mark International Women's Day on Sunday 10th March, 2013, the Catholic Commission for Social Justice: St. Joseph/Mt.D'or Parish Group, in collaboration with Women's Empowerment Group and the Social Arm of the Youth Group, is organising a seminar at St. Joseph's Church starting from 4 pm. The aim is to raise awareness of injustice through violence against women (and sometimes men).

7. On Tuesday February 26th, St. Joseph/Mt.D'or Parish Will be Hosting a Lenten Healing Service featuring Fr. Ian Taylor (& Team) and Keith Patrick at 6PM in St. Joseph R.C. Church. Come and Experience God's Healing Mercy!

Lenten Retreat Activities

Sunday March 17th
St. Joseph Feast Day Celebration
Joint Celebrations (St. Joseph R.C. & St. Michael's, Maracus, St. Joseph)
Procession begins at 9.30AM from the St. Joseph R.C. Church with Holy Mass at 10.00AM in the Park by His Grace, Archbishop Joseph Harris

Tuesday March 19th - Thursday March 21st
Retreat opens with Holy Mass on March 19th (St. Joseph Feast Day)
6PM Each Evening
Fr. Jason Grell, F.M.I.

Tuesday March 19th - Thursday March 21st
Midday Retreat
Adoration at 10.30AM
Holy Mass begins at 11.30AM
Fr. Jason Grell, F.M.I.

Friday March 22nd
Penitential Service  
6PM at St. Joseph R.C. Church

Stations of the Cross are held every Friday 6PM on Calvary Hill! Come Journey with our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Joseph Feast Day

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH

THE PARISHES OF

ST. JOSEPH R.C. AND ST. MICHAEL’S R.C., MARACUS 

WILL BE CELEBRATING

 THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH

SUNDAY MARCH 17^TH

PROCESSION FROM THE CHURCH WITH THE ST. JOSEPH STATUE THROUGH STREETS OF ST. JOSEPH BEGINS AT 9:30AM.

MASS IN THE PARK FOLLOWING PROCESSION BY

ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH HARRIS

Picnic after Mass

Presentation by Schools of the Community

       

Healing Service

ST. JOSEPH/ MT. D’or PARISH

Will Host a

LENTEN HEALING SERVICE

FEATURING:

FR. IAN TAYLOR & TEAM

KEITH PATRICK

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 26TH AT 6PM

ST. JOSEPH R.C. CHURCH

"O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me." 

--Psalm 30:2 

The Season of Lent

We are now in the Holy Season of Lent. Lent is about self-sacrifice. It begins Ash Wednesday and goes until Easter where we, as Catholics, celebrate the Paschal Mystery which is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lent has three (3) pillars; Fasting, Prayer & Almsgiving. We are encouraged to fulfill all three during this solemn season.

Prayer

As Jesus was in constant Prayer for 40 days and nights in the desert, we are to be like him in constant prayer both in season and out of season. Prayer is simply our conversation with God and without prayer we deprive ourselves from talking to God. However, in Lent, we are called to ‘beef up’ our prayer life so that our relationship with God will amplify. 

Fasting

This is where the self-sacrifice takes effect. Jesus lived in the wilderness for a great time without indulging himself in hearty meals. So the question is, if Jesus can sacrifice a hearty meal, why can’t we sacrifice something we most desire? As Christians we have to challenge ourselves to the extreme to be as strong-minded as Christ is. Why not start by giving up something we absolutely love for ONLY 40 days! The bible says, And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Why not make that effort for our Lord who endured so much more for us! Let us show him our utmost love by giving up something for him. It will pay off in the long run! 

Almsgiving

When we give alms we are expressing our gratitude for all that God has done for us and all that he continues to do. Coming to a realization of others who are in great need and giving with grateful hearts is an integral way of Christian living. Giving alms should not be carried out only during Lent or Christmas, but is should be second nature for us Christians. Why should we shy away a stranger who is in need of a meal or clothes or even money? The main thing is fulfilling the works of charity all in the name of Love. If almsgiving is something that you want to start doing, let this season of Lent be a beautiful way to kick start your commitment of giving and let it be a year-round tradition.

There is one other thing to be said; Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert but he was strong enough to resist all the lures that came his way. For humans, it is natural for us to give in to temptation but for Spiritual Humans, we have the secret weapon just like Jesus, to resist all of Satan’s tactics, and that is the Holy Spirit living in each of us. Call on him and ask him to strengthen you in your weakened states. He NEVER lets us down. Satan can only try but we have won the victory. 

Having discussed most of what this Holy season is offering; let us offer up ourselves this Lenten season to Christ  as we journey with him to death and rise with him in this New Life! To God be the Glory!