Bulletin for the Week of February 10, 2013

OOKING AHEAD Feb 13: Ash Wednesday, Special Collection for Church in Central and Eastern Europe Masses: 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM Feb 17; Mar 10; Apr 7; May 5: Classes in Preparation for Confirmation 6:30, St. James Parish Center Feb 16-17: Food Shelf Weekend Mar 16-17: Food Shelf Weekend Apr 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend May 10: Confirmation with Bishop Terry LaValley at 7:00 PM May 12: First Communion May 25: Priest Ordination of Rev. Mr. Scott Belina, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 11:00 AM TOP NOTCH LINKS www.catholic.org (Catholic information) www.marylinks (Links on Mary) Mission Intention for February That migrant families, especially the Mothers may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties. TAG SALE: St. Ann’s Church Hall located behind St. Ann’s Church 3062 Route 11, Mooers Forks. Friday, March 8. Saturday, March 9, Sunday, March 10 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. Sponsored by Mooers K of C Auxiliary 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. CHURCH IN CENTRAL AMERICA: Next week we will take up the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This Collection supports Catholic organizations that provide food, shelter, medical care, catechesis, and companionship for the lonely in a region still struggling in the aftermath of atheistic Soviet rule. Your donations help to restore the strength of the Church in the region. Visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections to learn more. Bishop Wadhams General Assembly # 706: The Bishop Wadhams General Assembly # 706 in Plattsburgh has rescheduled their chicken and biscuit dinner for February 10. The dinner will be held at Seton Academy and we will start serving at 11:00 AM and end at 4:00 PM. This is all you can eat for $8.00 ($5.00 Children and seniors). All profits will go to charity. Bible Study Program, Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer, Ellenburg Center, Saturday, March 9 & 16, and April 6, 10:30-noon. Rita Breen will make a presentation on themes of Lent. Drawing heavily from Scripture, through the discussions in these sessions, participants will discover the depth of their capacity to care for others and, in doing so, fully realize the depth of God's care and love. Please RSVP to olaprayerhouse@gmail.com or 518-594-3253. Light lunch provided. MARRIAGE TIP Humor can lighten a stressful situation in life. Look for an opportunity today to lighten your beloved’s life with a touch of humor. Poke fun at yourself, or exaggerate a frustrating situation to the point of levity Find more Marriage Rx at www.foryourmarriage.org Lenten Regulations 2013 LENT this year begins on with Ash Wednesday, February 21. 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 are bound to abstain totally from meat on the following days: Ash Wednesday (February 13), all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday (March 29th). FASTING: All Catholics between the ages of 19 and 59 are bound also to 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 Februar 17, the First Sunday of Lent, until Trinity Sunday, May 26.. 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 6:30 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.