LOOKING AHEAD
Feb 14: Class for those preparing for Confirmation, St. James Parish Center, 7:00 PM
Feb 17: Ash Wednesday. Beginning of Lent, Masses 8:30 and 5:30
Feb 17: Collection for Support of Church in Central and Eastern Europe
Feb 19 and all Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross, 7:00 PM
Feb 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend
Feb 27-28: Campaign for Subscriptions to North Country Catholic
Mar 14: Daylight Saving Time Begins - clocks ahead 1 hour
Mar 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend
May 9: First Communion, 10:00 AM Mass
June 13: Cadyville Fire Department Field Day
RELIGIOUS WEB SITES
www.osv.com (Our Sunday Visitor)
www.marylinks.org (Mary Links)
Mission Intention for February
That the mentally handicapped might not be marginalized but respected and lovingly helped to live in a way dignifying of their physical and social conditions.
THE FIRST VALENTINE: In Medieval England, it was commonly held that birds chose their mates on the feast of St. Valentine. As this date approached, a young woman sent a letter assuring her suitor that if he could be content with her small dowry, I would be the merriest maiden on the ground, a good, true and loving Valentine. Ever since, similar hopes have been in the minds and on the lips of countless lovers.
LENT this year begins on with Ash Wednesday, February 17. Lent is the holiest season of the year for Christians, especially Catholics. There are certain sacrifices we make and certain traditions that we observe: Before he began his public ministry, Jesus spent forty days in the desert. He prayed, fasted, confronted temptation, and prepared for the journey that was to come. During Lent, we imitate Jesus in self-denial. We pray, fast, and give of our time and our talents to help others. Using God’s Word and centuries of spiritual practices and devotions, we can little by little, set aside what distracts and harms us, open our lives to deep conversion to the Lord, and emerge ready to enter into the lasting joy of life with the Risen Christ.
LENTEN REGULATIONS 2010
ABSTINENCE: All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are bound to abstain totally from meat on the following days: Ash Wednesday (February 17) , all Fridays of Lent (except Friday, March 19th-Solemnity of St. Joseph) & Good Friday (April 2).
FASTING: All Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are bound also to observe the Law of Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting, that is, eating less, involves limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Lighter nourishment may be taken on two other occasions in the course of the day.
PRAYER & PENANCE: The entire season of Lent should be observed in a spirit of prayer and penance. Spending extra time in prayer or Bible reading, attending daily Mass, 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.
EASTER DUTY: All Catholics who have reached the age of reason must confess their serious sins in the Sacrament of Penance 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 February 21st, the First Sunday of Lent, until Trinity Sunday, May 30th.
OBLIGATION: All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law to do penance. The days set aside for fast and abstinence in Lent are special ways of doing penance and are an expression of unity for all the Church.
SPECIAL NOTES: Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. When a marriage is celebrated during Lent, it is to reflect the special penitential nature of the season.
MARRIAGE TIP: Christian marriage is not a 50/50 contract. It's a covenant, which means that each spouse promises to give unreservedly. Find more Marriage Rx at www.foryourmarriage.org.
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: Great needs remain in the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Some parishes still need a proper place to celebrate Mass; some dioceses cannot maintain necessary social and
charitable works; most cannot support basic pastoral work. On Ash Wednesday we ask you to donate generously to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Give faith to the future.
WORLD MARRIAGE WEEKEND: This weekend has been designated to honor marriage on the theme: Love One Another. Couples might pray together the following prayer: "Father, we thank you for your tremendous gift of the Sacrament of Marriage. Help us to witness to its glory by a life of growing intimacy. Teach us the beauty of forgiveness so we may become more and more One in Heart, Mind and Body. Strengthen our communication and help us become living signs of your love. Make us grow more in love with the church so we may renew the Body of Christ. Make us a sign of unity
in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Brother.”
FOR LENT: To help you make your Lent more spiritual you may want to take some of the pamphlets you find at the entrance to the church.
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