CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES For ST. THOMAS MORE PARISHIONERS April 3

LENT-A SPECIAL TIME TO FORGIVE Learning what forgiveness is -and is not - helps us more readily give and receive it. We all must forgive someone, sometime. As humans, we simply can’t bear the burden of a grudge for long. But are we sure of what forgiveness is? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC makes it crystal clear what forgiveness is and what it is NOT! Click below to watch the short video: WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

FRANCISCAN STATIONS of the CROSS  Franciscan Friars often used "The Short Way of the Cross", while preaching missions. Only five minutes long, the reflections, date to the 16th century. Join “The Franciscan Way of the Cross” Read by Thomas Aquinas College students and graduates Accompanied by the music of Chrysostomos, a student choir. And dwell on the beautiful photography of the college's Via Dolorosa  14 scenes vividly depicting Our Lord’s Passion and death. Click below to begin: FRANCISCAN _STATIONS _of the CROSS

Build Your Own Library Have you thought about building your own library? Hosts John Heinen and Sam Guzman discuss why they agree every man and woman should build their own library. “This tradition stems back to the Early Church, and we have an obligation to maintain it today.” John and Sam discuss: The History of Libraries within the Church The Virtue in Building a Library How to Start Building a Library Click below to hear them share their thoughts: BUILDING YOUR OWN LIBRARY

5 Apps Every Catholic Needs to Grow Closer to Christ App stores contain countless Catholic apps that help us grow in faith. Five particular apps feed you on your faith journey throughout the entire year. The abundance of resources will surely draw you closer to Our Lord! Click below to discover them: FIVE CATHOLIC APPS

AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T USE QR CODES Click below for the link to join Hallow to participate for free in this Lenten Challenge (without the QR code): GET HALLOW WITHOUT QR CODE or LINK TO GET HALLOW QR CODE

NEW!!! PRAY40 COMPANION JOURNAL BOOK FREE! 50 PAGES! Click below to download this awesome prayer journal companion booklet to accompany your journey through the 40 days of Lent with Hallow! Click below for journal 40 DAY PRAYER COMPANION JOURNAL

April 10th The next - 6th - Chosen Watch Party PARISH DINING HALL - after 10:00 Mass FREE DONUTS and COFFEE! Other Options: In-person and online Watch Parties April 13

If you haven't yet registered for a Watch Party Click the link below: THE CHOSEN WATCH PARTIES

QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK Why are beer and pretzels considered ideal Lenten fare?  Scroll down to find the answer!

The Lenten Cookbook Scott Hahn, David Geisser

From breads to stews to omelets and desserts, award-winning chef and former Vatican Swiss Guard David Geisser returns with 75 new international recipes that were specially conceived for the penitential season of Lent. Delicious soups and salads to zesty curries and classic Lenten staples, in a uniquely Catholic presentation to celebrate Lent in your home each year. Much more than a cookbook, this first-ever guidebook for mealtimes in Lent features with writings from acclaimed biblical scholar Scott Hahn, who reflects on the history of fasting and its integral role in our personal spiritual growth. Hahn guides you on how to practice a holy Lent that will enable you to return your focus to Christ, and how to carry the unique and extraordinary joys of Lent forward into the rest of the year. Click below to learn more about this special Lenten cookbook: THE LENTEN COOKBOOK

GOSPEL READING REFLECTION For APRIL 3, 2022 5th Sunday of Lent Year C JOHN 8:1-11 ****************************************************************************** Christ is Gracious and Merciful "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”  The scene with the woman caught in adultery was played out in front of all the people who had gathered around Our Lord, listening to him teach. The woman was brought there by evil men. They were evil not because they were scribes and Pharisees but because they really did not care about what the law said (otherwise they would have gone elsewhere to carry out the judicial proceedings and sentence). By writing on the ground, Our Lord gave everyone time to think—the scribes and Pharisees, the crowd, even the woman. Then Our Lord gave everyone something to think about: whether each one of them was a sinner. Remarkably, he convinced them all and the accusers departed one by one, beginning with the elders. Still there remained the crowd and the woman. One can imagine the thoughts going through the woman’s head. I think she was also bathed in the loving countenance of Our Lord. She knew he did not approve of her sin but he deeply approved of her. She experienced what our Gospel verse proclaims: “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” She could return because the Lord is gracious and merciful. He showed his graciousness by not saying one word against her. He showed his mercy by not condemning her and by confirming that she should change her life so as not to fall into the same sin again.

ANSWER TO QUIZ In the Middle Ages, the rules of fasting and abstinence were quite tougher than today, excluding not only meat but also eggs and dairy products.  Enter bread, veggies, and water! According to legend, a monk in the 600s in Italy made a special Lenten bread for his fellow-monks. He arranged a long strip of dough in the shape of arms folded over the breast in prayer, with the three holes representing the Trinity. These little breads were called bracellae, Latin for “little arms,” and in German, bretzel. In another story, the monk gave these breads to children for learning their prayers. And “little reward” in Latin is pretiola (pre-tzi-OH-la), which sounds a lot like pretzel! So, what about the beer? In the 1600s, a monastery in southern Germany began brewing beer to give the monks needed strength during their long days of fasting on bread and vegetables. They developed a hearty, nutritious concoction —the now-famous doppelbock beer, also known as “liquid bread.” Paulaner Brewery took over the original site of the monastery, adopted the brewing methods of the monks and still makes this beer today!

DOES THIS ALL SOUND SO GREAT YOU WISH THERE WAS MORE? THERE IS!  Click the link below to find more: FAITH FORMATION ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS FOR EVERY MONTH AND SEASON

“The Virgin of Pochaiv" The "Lourdes" of Ukraine

PRAYER FOR PEACE BY POPE FRANCIS Lord Jesus, we adore your cross which frees us from sin, the origin of every division and evil; we proclaim your resurrection, which ransoms man from the slavery of failure and death; we await your coming in glory, which will bring to fulfillment your kingdom of justice, joy and peace. Lord Jesus, by your glorious passion, conquer the hardness of our hearts, imprisoned by hatred and selfishness; by the power of your resurrection, save the victims of injustice and maltreatment from their suffering; by the fidelity of your coming, confound the culture of death and make the triumph of life shine forth. Lord Jesus, unite to your cross the sufferings of the many innocent victims: the children, the elderly, and the persecuted Christians; envelop in paschal light those who are deeply wounded: abused persons, deprived of freedom and dignity; let those who live in uncertainty experience the enduring constancy of your kingdom: the exiles, refugees, and those who have lost the joy of living. Lord Jesus, cast forth the shadow of your cross over peoples at war; may they learn the way of reconciliation, dialogue and forgiveness; let the peoples so wearied by bombing experience the joy of your resurrection: raise up Iraq and Syria from devastation; reunite your dispersed children under your gentle kingship: sustain Christians in the Diaspora and grant them the unity of faith and love. O Virgin Mary, Queen of peace, you who stood at the foot of the cross, obtain from your Son pardon for our sins; you who never doubted the victory of his resurrection, sustain our faith and our hope; you who are enthroned as Queen in glory, teach us the royal road of service and the glory of love. Amen.

Consecration Prayer for Russia and Ukraine The Vatican sent bishops around the world the text of the prayer that Pope Francis led on March 25 for the consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Click below for the full text of the prayer: CONSECRATION PRAYER FOR RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Ukrainians Are Seeing “Luminous Angels” Over Country’s Land, Archbishop Says Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said that civilians tell him they see  “luminous angels” over the country.  He believes Kyiv’s patron, St. Michael the Archangel, as well as the “the whole Heavenly Host,” fight alongside the Ukrainians. Click below to watch the Archbishop explain what civilians are telling him: LUMINOUS ANGELS OVER UKRAINE

APPARITIONS OF OUR LADY IN UKRAINE Did you know in 1914 and again in 1987, Our Lady allegedly appeared in the village of Hrushiv, Ukraine Because the 1914 prophesy was fulfilled, Canadian priest Fr. Mark Goring explained  that the Catholic Church takes the alleged 1987 apparitions seriously. Click below to read about the apparitions: APPARITIONS OF OUR LADY IN UKRAINE

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF UKRAINE HISTORY Click below for a brief historical timeline of Ukraine, including important dates and events from Ukraine’s past. BRIEF TIMELINE OF UKRAINE HISTORY