Bulletin for the Week of February 14, 2009

RELIGIOUS WEB SITES

http://orb.crs.org(Operation Rice Bowl)

www.YouTube.com/Vatican (Pope Benedict XVI daily site)

Mission Intention for February

That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God’s people.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: “Why Adoration? - To develop a closer personal relationship with Jesus! “This veneration [of the Holy Eucharist] arises from love and fosters the love to which we are called” (Pope John Paul II) Eucharistic Adoration is held throughout the year every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 am to 9 pm at St. John’s Church Adoration Chapel, downstairs. Everyone is invited to spend some quiet time with Jesus anytime during these hours. For more information about spending a special hour with Jesus weekly, or becoming a substitute, please call 561-5083 or email us at Sjohnsadoration@aol.com

MARRIAGE TIP: "It's not differences but how we handle them that separate successful marriages from the failures. Disagreeing doesn't predict divorce. Stonewalling, avoidance, contempt, criticism, and the silent treatment predict divorce. Find more Marriage Rx at:www.foryourmarriage.org

CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION: Those who wish to register for Catholic Schools next Fall can do so by phoning:

Seton Academy, PK-6, Plattsburgh: 563-6330

Seton Catholic Central School, Plattsburgh: 561-4031

Lenten Regulations 2009

LENT this year begins on Ash Wednesday, February 25. Lent is the holiest season of the year for Christians, especially Catholics. There are certain sacrifices we make and certain traditions that we observe:

ABSTINENCE: All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday must abstain totally from meat on the following days: Ash Wednesday (February 25th), all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday (April 10th).

FASTING: All Catholics between the ages of 19 and 59 must also observe the Law of Fast on the following days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting, that is, eating less, involves limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. But together, they should not equal a full meal. Lighter nourishment may be taken on two other occasions during the course of the day.

EASTER DUTY: All Catholics, after they have made their first Holy Communion, must confess their sins in the Sacrament of Confession at least once a year. They must also receive Holy Communion at least once each year during the Easter season, which this year extends from March 1, the First Sunday of Lent, until Trinity Sunday, June 7.

PENANCE: The entire season of Lent should be observed in a spirit of prayer and penance. Spending extra time in prayer or Bible study, attending daily Mass, making the Stations of the Cross in St. James Church on Fridays of Lent at 7:00 pm, voluntary sacrifice and self-denial, combined with works of charity and service to others, are all excellent ways to obey the Lord’s command to reform our lives and to prepare for the joyful celebration of Easter.

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH LAY APOSTOLATE PROGRAM: The Sisters of St. Joseph and their Lay Associate Group from the Mountains and St.

Lawrence River areas invite anyone who is interested in learning about our Lay Associate Program to an inquiry meeting on Sunday, March 8 at 2 -4 at St. John in the Wildness Convent in Lake Clear . And/or to a Lenten Retreat on Sat., March 28 beginning at 10:00 –2:00 pm at the St. Thomas More Newman Center in Canton. The Associates meet once a month to learn about the spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph, pray together, and discuss ways to deepen one’s spiritual life. This group is open to men and women. If you are interested, please call Sister Carol Kraegor, 518-891-2286 in Lake Clear; Sister Constance Sylver, 315-322-5801 in Madrid, or Sister Bethany Fitzgerald, 315-386-2989 in Canton.

DISEASE AND SIN: The begging leper and the paralytic dropped in, and both wanted to be cured of their ailments—including their sin. Overcoming religious fears and social customs, they made their requests. Jesus replied, Yes, of course, and then made the point that healing from sin and healing from disease are two sides of the same coin. Do we have courage enough to overcome worries and beg healing from the Lord in the church? If we seek forgivness through the Sacrament of Confession, Jesus will surely reply, Yes, of course. Lent is a great time to get your conscience in order.