The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has announced:
All Masses are canceled through May 3rd.

PSR: Sadly, PSR will thus not meeting again for class for the 2019 - 2020 school year. If you have not received other directions from your teachers, parents for youth in grades 1 - 5 should complete the current religion book with your children. Those religion books not yet claimed remain on a table in the back of Church - which is open from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
We're blessed this Easter to receive links for
FREE Holy Week and
Easter activities
from Religious Publishers from whom these items are usually purchased.

Please offer prayers for them as gratitude for their generosity!
Our First Reading begins with Peter, our first Pope, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus' life, suffering, death, and resurrection -
and of the mission given to the Apostles by Jesus to
testify to all the Jesus said and did -
Why? So that all could have their sins forgiven.
God is a God of love who wants our contrite hearts.

The Psalms , rejoice in God!
In His mercy, His power, and the Wonder of His saving actions -
such suffering endured out of love and obedience,
offered up for every person!
Who can know the mind and plans of God!
 
St. Paul reminds us that our focus should first be to seek what is above, not the earthly. We are called to die to the world - which is to die putting first what the world says is first. Today's world is about satisfying our personal pleasure as soon as possible.
Christ shows us another way - a way that has a goal beyond this life, but for which we work towards in this life. This is what Easter is all about - Jesus' Resurrection in anticipation of our resurrection.
 
John's Gospel how those who loved and followed Jesus discovered that Jesus had risen. All of the Gospel's relay that it was one or more women who discovered the empty tomb. Confused, they ran to tell the Disciples, and Peter and John responded and ran to the tomb. Why did the others not run there as well? Something to ponder!
Although John arrived first, he let Peter, who would be the first pope, enter the tomb first. Despite the time spent with Jesus and the evidence in front of him, Peter still did not understand Jesus' Resurrection. Do you struggle to believe? You are in good company! Follow through, as did the Apostles,
by remaining in prayer until Jesus reveals more - persevere! He will!
Watch the Mass this Sunday
(many online offerings and 2 options at the buttons below)
Pray the following during reception of Communion
until we can receive the Real Presence of our Lord again.
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AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that You are
present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things and
I desire to receive You into my soul.
 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
LENTEN SEASON
Adoration before the Tabernacle
The Church building is open from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Can't make it to Adoration?
View Perpetual Adoration at MarytownChapel in Chicago.

Pray the Stations of the Cross this week - or daily at any time - click the button. Pray for an end to the virus and for aid to all those sick, jobless, or otherwise hurt by the happenings throughout the world.

HOLY WEEK - Plan for how to make this week special in a holy way
The First Communion Retreat scheduled for April 25th
is cancelled. Look for First Communion update this week!
Newsy Notes
Everything remains canceled - except
for personal prayer at home!
Watch for updates on sacramental preparation.

T his is the holiest week of the year - what do we do?
We offer up everything that is upsetting, disruptive, and frightening to the Lord and ask for His Loving and Healing hand to touch everyone -
body, mind, heart, and soul.
Click below for activities to participate in
Holy Week preparation for the coming of Easter.
Opportunities for Confession before Easter:

St. Bernadette Parish
Sunday 8:00 am - Noon in the sacristy

Guardian Angels Parish
Saturday 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish:
Confessions held DAILY (except Sundays):
Monday: 9:00-10:00am - Tuesday: 6:30-7:30pm - Wednesday : 9:00-10:00am Thursday: 6:30-7:30pm - Friday: 9:00 -10:00am - Saturday: 3:30-4:30pm
Medita tion
"If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces...
never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.
That's the beauty of being alive... We can always start all over again.
Enjoy God's amazing opportunities bestowed on us.
Have faith in Him always. ”
- St. Bernadette Soubirous, 1858, saw our Blessed Mother in Lourdes France
Greetings Parents!
        
       The most confusing week for emotions begins... Penance and sorrow, hopefully a little sense of success with the items we offer up, anticipating the sorrow of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the strangeness of Holy Saturday, and the sudden freedom of Easter Sunday.
 
       Not attending Mass through this - it will be strange! On Holy Thursday, we can re-enact the Last Supper, especially the Washing of the Feet. One person could wash everyone's feet, or each person could wash the feet of the person to the right. On Friday, read the Passion of the Lord in the Gospel at 3:00 pm - the hour when Jesus died, the hour of greatest mercy every day. This is a perfect day to pray the Stations of the Cross - you can read, listen, or watch it online! And Sunday - watch Mass online from SOMEWHERE - many options are available at the above buttons.

        Strange it will be not to gather with other family members- but we can focus more on gathering with Christianity's first family - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! And all of our brethren saints are joining us- take time to talk with them on Sunday. Ponder what Easter Day is like for them in heaven? Do they hunt for eggs or try to fan the flames of faith in souls on the day we remember God, Almighty?

           Without attending Mass, it has been harder to "feel like" ithe weekend has a day set apart. Some appreciate the chance to sleep in and use the time "wisely" getting caught up on things. All are good, so long we still keep holy the Sabbath day - somehow! If everyone in the home will not join, those willing can retreat for a time and pray on behalf of everyone.

        Having ministered to thse who planned to enter the Church this weekend, there is a sense of heartbreak for their delay in drawing closer to Jesus. They have come to long for Jesus in the Eucharist - have had to wait since the fall, preparing and learning the faith while discerning whether they hear God correctly. Please pray for them this weekend - it is a greater sorrow they will bear through this Holy Week - not knowing when they can be fully united with Christ in the Eucharist.
           
             Hug your children tight and remind them that all that Jesus does this week - He would have done were only one person to be saved. He loves each of them, and us, that much. Have them ponder the sufferings of Christ, and the gratitude we should feel at the gift we could not give ourselves, but is freely given! May God bless you and your families abundantly!

-- Linda Bader, Coordinator of Religious Education

  • P.S. Did you know... Cherubim are the next closest to God in heaven after the Seraphim. Unlike the cute babies with wings we see on Valentines, the Bible describes these all spiritual creature as causing fear when they take on a physical form. They are described as having has four faces, one of an ox, one man, eagle and lion. They have four wings that are covered with eyes and the body of a lion and have ox’s feet. In the Garden of Eden and God’s throne, Cherubim guard the road to the tree of life- which saved us from eternal life in a state of sin.
Ready to Learn... Did you know you can create a free Quizlet account and then search for a topic. Anyone who has created a quiz and made it public will have a built in test for you - and many are created by Catholic religion teachers! Search for Catholic Mass objects and learn the names of all the vessels and garments used at Mass. When are able to attend again - all will have more meaning!