Bulletin for the week of February 21, 2010

LOOKING AHEAD

Feb 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend

Feb 26 and all Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross, 7:00 PM

Feb 27-28: Campaign for Subscriptions to North Country Catholic

Mar 13-14: Special Catholic Relief Services collection

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.fisheaters.com (Catholic information)

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.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Hospice of the North Country will be offering Bereavement Support Group consisting of ten bi-monthly sessions (first and third Mondays of the month) beginning on Monday, March 1st continuing through June. Evenings 7:00-9:00 pm at the Hospice Office, 43 Durkee Street, Plattsburgh. For more info phone 561-8465.

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.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE CONTRIBUTIONS: Sr. Donna Franklin, Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities, has shared with you the following information: Individuals who make a contribution to charities providing relief to Haiti in 2010 may include such contribution as an itemized deduction for their 2009 federal income tax return, so long as the contribution is made prior to March 1, 2010.

NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN: The annual North Country Catholic subscription campaign begins next weekend. Since 1946, the NCC has served as a vital source of information, evangelization and unity for the 108,000 members of our diocesan family. During the coming year, the North Country Catholic will offer the most comprehensive coverage of the arrival of our next bishop, will continue its special observance of the “Year for Priests” and introduce readers to “Women of Faith,” young Catholic writers and Catholics who live out the Gospel of Life every day. Please renew or subscribe through our parish subscription campaign.

LENTEN PRAYER: Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all; I accept all. Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this. O Lord, into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands with no reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. (Charles de Foucauld)

LENT - FASTING OR FEASTING: The following Lenten Prayer blends together the idea that Lent is more than a time of fasting. It also increases our awareness of our need for God.

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility; feast on non-violence.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken, feast on promises that inspire.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift me with your presence so I can be gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.

--Source unknown

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.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: For early Christians, the Sign of the Cross involved tracing small crosses on the forehead, on the lips and on the heart, as we do at Mass before the reading of the Gospel. The Sign of the Cross is made on Catholics at Baptism, at the Anointing of the Sick and countless times in between. When you reverently bless yourself with the Sign of the Cross, you express belief in God the Father, in God the Son and in God the Holy Spirit from whom all blessings flow. Many women and men wear a cross. We can make our life more spiritual with this ancient gesture and sign.