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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
For Our Family of Parishes
STELLA MARIS, STAR OF THE SEA
including:
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette,
St. Mary's, St. Peter's
March 12
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OUR NEW FAMILY OF
PARISHES NAME!!
STELLA MARIS,
STAR OF THE SEA
What is the meaning of this
ancient title for the Virgin Mary,
Our Lady Star of the Sea?
Used since at least the early medieval period,
it came to be seen as allegorical of
Mary's role as "guiding star"
on the way to Christ.
Under this name, Mary interceded
as a guide and protector
of seafarers in particular,
but this evolved to include all faithful Catholics,
especially when facing storms—of all types.
In the 12th century,
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote:
"If the winds of temptation arise;
if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation
look to the star, call on Mary.
If you are tossed upon the waves of pride,
of ambition, of envy, of rivalry,
look to the star, call on Mary.
Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire
violently assail the frail vessel of your soul,
look at the star, call upon Mary."
The hymn
Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea)
is a wonderful tribute,
both in prayer and song,
to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Click below to read the:
AVE MARIS STELLA PRAYER
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA in GREGORIAN CHANT
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA SUNG IN ENGLISH
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THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
REFLECTION
NINE THINGS TO REFLECT ON
TO HELP YOU
"GET" LENT
Directed and guided by Jesus' words, Lent becomes a privileged time:
(i) a time of repentance where we humbly recognize
our weaknesses and sinfulness
before God and one another, and
(ii) a time of belief where we joyfully affirm our faith in God,
the One source of our strength and our forgiveness.
In this Lenten journey, the invitation to return to the Lord is
specifically addressed to the whole heart (Joel 2:12),
meaning, the person in his totality – mind, heart and body.
Click below to read the:
NINE THINGS TO REFLECT ON
Click below to watch a one minute video to learn what Lent is really about:
SO WHAT'S THE STORY WITH LENT?
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A Practical Lenten Challenge:
Become an Instrument
of Reconciliation
“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
Fr. Mark-Mary offers us a very practical
Lenten challenge
to consider how to become an
instrument of reconciliation to accompany your offering
of prayer, fasting and almsgiving this Lent.
Click the link below to hear his helpful message about a:
LENTEN CHALLENGE ON RECONCILIATON
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The Gift of Cultural Hurricanes
A Lenten Book Study
with Dr. Tim Hogan
THREE FRIDAYS
STARTING MARCH 10
Are you feeling disconnected?
As part of your Lenten Journey, would you like to reclaim
a deeper connection with God and hose around you?
Join a FREE virtual book study with Dr. Tim Hogan.
You will learn and practice concrete skills
to recover present-moment living,
and
restore your heart with gratitude,
and reclaim your relationships with loving connection.
Week 1: Friday March 10th at 12:00 noon Eastern:
How to Recover Present Moment Living
Week 2: Friday March 17th at 12:00 noon Eastern:
How to Restore our Hearts with Gratitude
Week 3: Friday March 24th at 12:00 noon Eastern:
How to Reclaim a Life of Loving Connection
Click below to register once, then attend one, two or all three of these free sessions!
CULTURAL HURRICANE LENTEN BOOK STUDY
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COMING TO OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES THIS SUMMER!!!
WHAT IS TOTUS TUUS??
An active and engaging Catholic summer youth program
dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith
through catechesis, evangelization, witness and Eucharistic worship,
from young adults to their near-peers and younger.
Totus Tuus goals
To help young people
grow in the understanding of and strengthening of their faith in
Jesus Christ
through prayer, discussion, and encounters
but also lively activities by youthful, on-fire disciples
specially trained for this ministry - this is not summer Bible school!
Only by establishing a
real and personal relationship with Him
can we truly know the love of the Father in the Spirit
and so be made sharers in the life of the Holy Trinity.
CHECK OUT THE FLYER BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS!
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HOW TO REGISTER
TOTUS TUUS REGISTRATION FORM
IN A NUTSHELL
2023 Summer Program: JUNE 11-16
Register by: MAY 10
Location: St. Bernadette for our Family of Parishes
Please REGISTER EARLY
Earlier registrations enable us to take advantage of more features for the children and teens in the program!
ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
IF INTERESTED, CONTACT MIKE KLESHOCK:
(mobile/text) 513-379-0378 (email) faithformation@stbameliaparish.org
Click below to download:
TOTUS TUUS REGISTRATION FORM
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HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR FAITH?
Did you have one of those teachers
that you just loved?
One that explained things in a way that made them
both interesting and easy to understand?
Apologist Jimmy Akin is one of those teachers!
That's probably why Jimmy's School of Apologetics course
Beginning Apologetics
is far and away our most popular course
at the Catholic Answers School of Apologetics.
Click the link below to check it out:
JIMMY AKIN'S APOLOGETICS COURSE
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LENTEN RESOURCES ON FORMED.ORG
FORMED is excited to present
curated content to help the Church
journey through this Lenten season.
This collection's resources help us deepen our understanding of
Lenten days, practices, and devotions.
Find resources on
Prayer
The mystery of Christ's Passion,
The roots of Holy Week found in Judaism,
. . . and much more
To guide us through the holiest days
in our liturgical year—the Triduum.
Click below to view all the:
LENT RESOURCES ON FORMED.ORG
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FRIDAY MEATLESS MEAL SUGGESTIONS
The default meatless Lenten dinner,
fish has its limitations:
the kids (or we) won’t eat it
or it’s frankly too expensive.
Be of stout heart! Here are 65 dinners that are meatless and fishless.
From pastas and casseroles, to stews and salads, to burritos and pot pies,
your Lenten world just got a lot wider.
Click below for:
65 MEATLESS DINNERS
NEW: CLICK BELOW FOR ANOTHER LINK WITH MEATLESS DIINNER RECIPES:
MORE LENTEN MEATLESS RECIPES
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ALSO: Remember to check our parish bulletins for the Friday Fish Fry events scheduled
at each parish in our family!
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Here! in Cincinnati - with incredible speakers!
If you've never been to one,
this is THE year to go!!
WHEN: March 25th, 2023
WHERE: at Cintas Center on Xavier's Campus in Cincinnati
We encourage every man in our family of parishes to attend!
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Join other men - traveling from across the country to be here!
Inspirational speakers, fellowship, networking and spiritual growth.
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Ladies, there are no better gifts
for the men in your life than opportunities to grow in their Faith!
Consider for Valentine's Day - A ticket to a day with men
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Featured Power Speakers include:
Jonathan Roumie
actor playing Jesus in The Chosen series
Father Robert Spitzer
from EWTN
Archduke of Austria Christian Habsburg-Lorraine.
Grandson of Blessed Karl ("almost" recognized as a saint)
Historic occasion: This will be his first speech EVER in the U.S.
Beloved Bishop Earl Fernandes
from Columbus Ohio.
Our own Archbishop Dennis Schnurr
Bengals football players and staff.
LIVE panel discussion of
Jeff Schiefelbein
motivational speaker
Fr. Jonathan Meyer
Pastor and Author
_______________________________________________________
Emceed by (our own*) very dynamic,
Fr. Ethan Moore
(*assisted with RCIA at St. Thomas More as a seminarian)
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NEW!!!
Inspiring Promo Video Released
Host Anne Desantis does an incredible job of getting
inside information on what to expect for the
2023 National Men's Conference on March 25th in Cincinnati.
Click below to watch the interview:
MEN'S CONFERENCE PROMO VIDEO
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A Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the true King of peace.
In You alone is found freedom.
Please free our world from conflict.
Bring unity to troubled nations.
Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart.
Dispel all darkness and evil.
Protect the dignity of every human life.
Replace hatred with Your love.
Give wisdom to world leaders.
Free them from selfish ambition.
Eliminate all violence and war.
Glorious Virgin Mary,
Saint Michael the Archangel,
Every angel and saint:
Please pray for peace.
Pray for unity amongst nations.
Pray for unity amongst all people.
Pray for the most vulnerable.
Pray for those suffering.
Pray for the fearful.
Pray for those most in need.
Pray for us all.
Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear our prayers.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Amen.
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NEW WEEKLY INFO
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THE ASBURY REVIVAL EXPERIENCE
On February 8, something profound began at
Asbury University in Kentucky.
What started as a simple chapel service
has become a "revival"
that made international headlines (!!!)
and drawn crowds of over 50,000
from as far away as New Zealand.
Perhaps it is a sign that
God is working to bring about in our Catholic Church
a greater Eucharistic Revival than we can imagine.
Click the link below to read:
WHAT DOES EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL LOOK LIKE?
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OUR BISHOPS SPEAK
Bishop James Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen,
found a way to start his day
that helps him stay focused on what Jesus is asking of him.
Get inspired! Make time in your busy day
to experience the same peaceful assurance.
Click the link below to watch his testimony:
BISHOP CHECCHIO
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Do This in Remembrance of Me:
A Step-by-Step Walk through the Mass
From their origins to present uses, Father Luke invites us to encounter in
the Psalms the very words Jesus prayed.
Click below to read his overview:
THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM
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For Children:
A Lenten Sacrifice—Offering One Holy Mass
This month, Katie Bogner offers a
catechetical Eucharistic activity for children
that connects the liturgical season of Lent
with our active participation at Mass.
CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS THE ACTIVITY:
FOR CHILDREN: OFFERING A HOLY MASS
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NEW!!! EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMPANION
Click the link below to download the new (pdf)
Eucharistic Prayer Companion
corresponding with the Lenten Sunday Mass readings
and the week’s particular work of mercy.
NEW!! EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMPANION FOR LENT
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Registration for the Congress
Launches
With all the grace Our Lord wants to pour
over the United States through
the National Eucharistic Revival and 2024 Congress,
the devil is working overtime to
disrupt this endeavor anywhere he can.
Please take a moment to pray for everyone involved
in coordinating and executing this historic occasion of grace.
Below is a list of specific intentions where your prayers are most needed.
Please pray for:
• The technology that will process registrations
• Congress volunteers
• Event organizers and administrative staff
• All those considering attending
• All who God is calling to the Congress, especially sacrifice to be there
• The pilgrims as they prepare for the National Eucharistic Procession
Thank you for your ministry as a Prayer Partner of the Revival.
Your intercession makes a real difference!
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WILL YOU BE THERE, TOO?
You can join us in July, 2024 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.
At this historic event, directly experience the fruits
of your intercession and see the impact
your ministry made all over the country.
Click the link below to REGISTER
REGISTRATION FOR 10TH
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE
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QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK
Do you know what
“intercessory prayer”
really means?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR HIGHLIGHT
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher asked her group of children
if anyone could quote the entire 23rd Psalm.
A golden-haired, four-and-a-half-year-old girl
was among those who raised their hands.
A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if she could
really quote the entire psalm.
The little girl came to the front of the room,
faced the class, made a perky little bow,
and said, “The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.”
She bowed again and went and sat down.
That may well be the greatest interpretation
of the 23rd Psalm ever heard.
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For MARCH 12, 2023
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Year A - Jn 4:5-42
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LIVING WATER
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”
- As embodied spirits or enfleshed souls, we need and long for both physical and spiritual goods. Jesus was tired and thirsty and hungry. Yet he moderated, that is, he controlled or ruled over, his physical needs to feed his spiritual need of evangelization. He was fed with joy by converting the Samaritan woman: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.”
- The woman came to the well because she needed water. Her five husbands and the current man in her life perhaps speak of her unfulfilled spiritual hunger for love. Christ fulfilled this need she had and she became a kind of evangelist to her own Samaritan townsfolk, bringing them to Jesus so that many of them could soon say, “we know that this is truly the savior,” not only of the Jews but of them, too.
- Objectively, the Samaritan religion was imperfect, but there was also something missing in the Jewish religion, even though “Salvation is from the Jews.”
- What was missing, and what Christ provides, is the ability to worship the Father in Spirit and truth. We can do this because of the Sacrament of Baptism, which makes us children of God. The grace of Baptism is the living water that Christ speaks of to the Samaritan woman. This grace is foreshadowed by the rock Moses struck in the desert to give drink to the Chosen People.
- “Indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.” By virtue of our baptism, we are “such people.” We can worship the Father in spirit and in truth today, not only in this Holy Mass but also every day in our ordinary activities.
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
This is what we mean by
intercessory prayer:
The saints intercede for us.
James 5:16 says that
“The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”
Since the saints are perfect, and are in heaven with God,
their prayers have great efficacy.
So we ask them to turn to God on our behalf
and ask Him to bestow the proper graces and gifts upon us.
As the Catholic Encyclopedia clarifies:
When we pray to the saints,
it is to ask for their intercession on our behalf,
not to expect that they can bestow gifts on us of their own power, or obtain them in virtue of their own merit.
Though our prayers are far less perfect
than those of the saints,
we can and should intercede for each other, as well.
This is what happens when we
promise to pray for someone else—
we are practicing intercessory prayer.
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BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
We need to be armed for battle!
At all times, and especially during these crazy times in this vale of tears,
we need to lay our foundation in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual reading helps us build and strengthen that foundation.
Order though your favorite book dealer.
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This week's recommendation is:
Blue Collar Apologetics:
How to Explain and Defend
Catholic Teaching
Using Common Sense, Simple Logic, and the Bible
by John Martignoni
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While most of us know what we believe as Catholics—
we're unclear on why we believe it.
When vast numbers of Catholics are slipping away from the Faith,
God has tasked you and countless other Catholics
with understanding it so you will be prepared to defend it.
Far from a complex survey of obscure theological points,
this lively book employs clear, simple language
that not only demonstrates the fundamental fact that
the Bible is a Catholic book, but also
teaches Catholics how to "talk Bible" to non-Catholics.
By the end of the book, you will know
the biblical basis for the Church's teachings on
the sacraments, Purgatory, Mary, the papacy,
and why salvation requires faith and works.
You'll also be versed in the strategies for effectively challenging
others to examine their beliefs in light of the
overwhelming scriptural evidence for Catholicism.
Blue Collar Apologetics will also teach you:
- How to go on the offensive without being offensive
- The rules of engagement for discussing the faith with others
- Four techniques that will allow you to talk to anyone about your faith
- An easy tactic anyone can use for engaging non-Catholics
- How to explain the Marian dogmas using the Bible and common sense
- The two key "pillars of Protestantism" -- and how to respond to each
- How to counter the ingrained Protestant maxim "Once saved, always saved"
- The basics of Eastern Orthodoxy, which every Catholic needs to master
- Effective, common sense tactics for defending the Faith against atheist attacks
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We pray you will be excited to embark on purposeful
spiritual reading as a way to build a more prayer-filled,
Christ centered life.
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