This weekend we welcome Fr. Ken Simpson to the Church of St. Mary for our Lenten Mission. It is my hope that you are not only able to be at Mass this weekend but would be able to attend one or more of the evening presentations of the Lenten Mission on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening beginning at 7:00pm.
Fr. Simpson came out to the parish months ago to begin to prepar e for and plan the Parish Lenten Mission. When asked what his prayer would be for the parishioners of St. Mary through his time with us leading us in the parish mission he very clearly stated; "To be open to the Spirit, desiring to follow God's direction - opportunities for spiritual growth in Lent 2018 - being an instrument for God at the Church of St. Mary." I invite you to join me that Fr. Simpson will indeed be an "instrument for God" as we are led in prayer these days of parish mission.
Each evening presentation will include a Liturgy of the Word service with an extended homily and spiritual reflection by Fr. Simpson. Tuesday evening will also include the opportunity to receive the healing grace of God's love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you have been away from the sacrament of reconciliation, please take this Lenten Mission as an opportunity to return to the sacrament.
Elizabeth Simutis and her generous team of co-workers for the 13
th
Annual Ted's Diaper Drive asked me to share a word of thanks to the parishioners of St. Mary's who added to the wonderful success of the Diaper Drive last month. This year Ted's Diaper Drive donated
17,918 diapers
and
4,584 wipes
to the Catholic Charities Diaper Depot in Waukegan, IL. This is the equivalent of diapering two children from the infant stage to potty training. In the last 13 years Ted's Diaper Drive has donated close to 78,000 diapers to babies in need with your support. THANK YOU!
I am very grateful for the Women's Guild and, in particular, Ss. Elizabeth and Catherine of Siena Circles for arranging and coordinating the Easter Basket Sharing Tree this year. Representatives of th
e two circles will be at the Illinois Road entrance to the church with information on how you can participate in the Easter Basket sharing supporting our sharing parish, Most Blessed Trinity.
There are a limited number of tags for Easter Baskets available, but don't be discouraged if you were not able to get a tag.
N
ext Sunday, March 11th, is our March Pack the Pantry foo
d drive that supports the Food Pantry at our sharing parish Most Blessed Trinity. I heard from Sean Jordan, the Pack the Pantry Coordinator, who informed me that "our last food drive had a goal of 300 bags which we were able to exceed expectation and delivered 356 bags to the Food Pantry." Thanks for all those who brought food or household items for the drive. I believe it is within reach for the parish to meet the goal for the March Food Drive to deliver 400 bags to the Food Pantry. Know that each bag that you may bring to church will help reach and exceed this achievable goal.
Since the early 2000's our Youth Ministry Program has offered a retreat experience to our junior and senior
high school students. These retreats are usually offered in October as well as in March, providing the students with the chance to "retreat" from home, family, school to grow closer to Christ and to God. I am very grateful for all who have supported the Kairos Retreat Program at St. Mary's!
Over the last four months I have been attending the formation meetings with the adult and teen leadership of Kairos #33. Sunday afternoons and evening meetings have brought the team together to plan for and prayerfully prepare for the retreat that begins this coming Thursday, March 8
th
and continues through Sunday March 11
th
. I ask for your support and prayers for our Kairos #33 team. There were 67 applications for the 45 openings for students to participate and attend this Kairos. Please also pray for the students attending the Kairos that this time with their peers, focusing on the presence and power of God in their lives may enrich and deepen their faith. I will be joining Terese Halm,
Norie Kaufmann, Maggie Slingerland and Joseph Santello, the adult team, in celebrating Kairos #33 with our wonderful faith-filled teens.
God be with you with a renewed heart this Lenten season.
