If your child will be absent for Sunday PSR class please: email: dlbader@sttm.org or
on Sunday morning, call: 513-753-2548
The First Reading recalls the covenant God made with Noah and his family, to never again wipe out all life - all of their descendants - through a flood - setting in the sky the rainbow after rain as a reminder.
What is often forgotten is that a covenant is a sacred contract -
2 parties bear responsibilities.
We are to be the children of God, adhering to His Will for us.
Avoiding total annihilation by flood is not a one- sided promise made after God wrought fair justice on the entirety of people who chose to ignore Him before they were not saved from the flood.

Note the "clause" in the Responsorial Psalm:
"Our ways, O Lord, are love and truth
to those who keep your covenant."
There is a part to which we need to adhere. Like an older teen wanting to set his own rules, if we wish the goods of living at home,
we must live up to the terms.
We don't get to rewrite them to suit or current preferences.

St. Paul recalls Noah in the Second Reading, noting that Jesus came to save the sinners - of which there were a great many - only eight were saved in the ark just during Noah's day!
Through Jesus' suffering, not only eight are saved, but all who will turn their lives to Him, being cleansed in conscience by baptism.

In Mark's usual brief manner in the Gospel, he explains that Jesus goes to the desert at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, to withdraw from the world, fasting to help focus on God and not on meeting his personal desires. There He is also tempted by the devil, but then cared for by angels. When we follow Jesus, we too must withdraw from seeking the world's pleasures, overcoming the devil's temptations, and then we too will be cared for by angels!
JOIN THE St. Thomas More Parish
LENTEN MOVEMENT!
For one hour each week, gather with
family, friends, or parents of your children's teams or classes,
via Zoom to watch
an energetic, visually engaging, and inspiring 30 minute SEARCH video

Then share your thoughts on what it poses
and enjoy each other's company!
ALSO! Come to (re)discover the infinite reality in the Eucharist:

The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
Our greatest gift!!!
Learn lesser known AMAZING riches of the Eucharist!!!
LIVE Presentation! Have those nagging questions answered!

When? Saturdays after Mass: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13 

Where? 2 Options!
In-Person! STM Parish Dining Hall
Virtual! On Facebook (coming soon)

Leader? STM's own Kelly Mocahbee 
Newsy Notes
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First Communion
Return your Registration and Feedback from Presentation
both found at: https://conta.cc/39PPMfs to dlbader@sttm.org

Current 8th grade Confirmation
Continue with Decision Point Lessons - Retreat is Holy Thursday, April 1st!
12:30 - 8:30pm - watch for more details!

Current 7th grade Confirmation
Follow instructions in the initial Confirmation Preparation email.
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Fridays in Lent
  • 5:00 - 8:00 pm Boy Scout Fish Fry
New! Drive-Through Only & Option to Pre-Order
  • 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross -
"Way of the Cross" and Benediction

February
19th - Stations of the Cross and Boy Scout Fish Fry
Week of 22nd -Choose your day! - Parish-wide Lenten retreat: SEARCH begins
Click here to register and learn more: https://sttmformation.org/the-search

March
28th - Palm Sunday

April
3rd - Easter Vigil - RCIA candidates become Catholic!
4th - Easter Sunday
11th -Divine Mercy Sunday
Meditations
"A time is coming when people will go mad, and when they
meet someone who is not mad, they will turn to him and say,
“you are out of your mind,” just because he is not like them."
– St. Anthony the Abbot
Greetings Parents!

               So my boys were quite unhappy that we weren’t buried under 12 inches of snow – it took some time to remind them that the glass was more than half full – we had more snow than they remembered ever having and it was here for more than a few days and they’d had lots of sledding – which would continue, and schools would be “at worst” remote learning and “at best” off again. Coupled with President’s Day off – and my older one having a 4-day weekend the previous weekend – please don’t dwell on unhappiness because it’s not Christmas every day! The snow will be here after school work and friends are able to join and with either no school or remote learning (starts later), you’re able to be out in it into the evening. 

               How fickle we are sometimes! An amazing gift given, but we see the clouds without the silver lining and the cup half empty rather than half full. They – and I – like to imagine the best possible scenario and then are disappointed when it falls through – even though part of the ideal might come to fruition. We got snow, shorter school day, warm enough to play in it – more than we’ve had for years! 

               As we head into Lent, there’s a pull for me to make this one more meaningful. The above attitude, I think is part of it. I plan my acts and expectations, but when results fall short of my intentions after a few weeks, my weak self yields. So this year there will be more focus on attitude – and its long-term change. Food is one of my weaknesses. Years ago it was suggested that I not give up sweets entirely, but put them in God’s hands. They can have a place in our lives, just as wine can – or why else would Jesus turn water into wine? But they shouldn’t be our reason for living! No longer would I buy or pick up a sweet treat, but if it was offered, I would feel free to take it. Imagining that more visits to my mother would be needed, I was surprised by the results: Offers were soon made from unexpected places and, as I thanked God for the unnecessary but welcome sweet, I realized the God’s Providence extended to the smallest cares, including just bringing a smile. 

               For this Lent, I will try again to let God transform my weakness into moments of grace that strengthen my faith – for my benefit. Hug your children tight and help them find a way to turn a weakness into strength - with God's help!

-- Linda Bader, Coordinator of Religious Education

P.S. Did you know... some early saints became known as the Desert Fathers because they withdrew to the desert, like Christ, to withdraw from feeding the desires of their physical selves so that they could grow in their spiritual lives. St. Anthony of the Desert is called the Father of All Monks because he was the first to go the wilderness. A biography of his life spurred others to embrace a life of monasticism.