In last week's Flocknote, we looked at our Lenten practices from a different angle. We shifted the focus from ourselves and turned our eyes and hearts to living Lent for others. Our Social Justice Awareness Committee was ahead of the curve on that idea and has created a spot in the bulletin called "Our Corner of the Earth" where each week of Lent they are highlighting a fasting idea that helps our Common Home and by extension the people living on it. Here is this week's idea:
LENTEN FASTING IDEA:
Fast from using paper towels
Here’s Why It Matters to Our Common Home:
Paper towels are extremely handy and they are everywhere. They also have a negative impact on the environment. The Carbon Footprint of paper towels is significant, given the production and disposal of this single use item. We would have to plant 51,000 trees everyday to replace the number of trees used to make the amount of paper towels used every day. On average, every person in the U.S. uses 80 rolls per year. Paper towels take up a lot of room in landfills and as they decompose, contribute to the production of harmful methane gas. Additionally, strong chemicals are used to ensure the towels are extra-absorbent, printed with designs or white. This raises a question of potential harmful effects on the environment and human health.
What can we do? Use a reusable cloth/rag for cleaning purposes and use paper towels sparingly. If every household reduced use by just one roll each year it would save 554,000 trees and reduce waste
Last week I promised some more Lenten ideas from Sr. Janet. She reminded us that a Lenten practice doesn't have to make you miserable!! If we view Lent as a time of conversion and of building new habits that grow us into the amazing people of love that God has created us to be, it's actually a really exciting time, challenging, but EXCITING! Here are few ideas for the weeks ahead:
-Pray for the person ahead of you in line
-Learn about the indigenous people in our area and ask about ways to support their community.
-Write your mayor/legislator/bishop about an issue important to you.
-Text, call, or email someone just to say "thank you" for being you.
-Use a cloth towel rather than a paper towel
(TRULY, that was actually on the bookmark set she gave us!! GREAT MINDS!)
Last night, Father Rob gave a wonderful presentation on the 3 parts of the Funeral Rite and how we celebrate and commemorate our loved ones from a Catholic perspective. It was a great reminder of why we crazy Catholics to the things we do and the meaning and the beauty behind them. In case you weren't able to attend, we did video record the presentation and Kristyn will get it on the website as soon as she is back from vacation. But until that time, here are three other opportunities you aren't going to want to miss:
Bread of Life, Breath of Life, Word of Life
April 2: 8:45am to 1:00pm
Lunch Included
This morning retreat experience is open to men and women, no previous bread-making skills required!
You will also learn and practice some spiritual breathing and relaxation techniques in relation to the working of the Holy Spirit within each of us.
These two things will be wrapped in scripture reflections to tie everything together in a holistic Christ-centered approach to healthy, peaceful, and joyful living.
For more information and to register please visit the website:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2022/03/14/bread-breath-word/
Faith Beautifully Crafted
PRAYER BOWLS
We hope that you will join us on April 11, from 1:00-3:00 as Anne Boyd encourages us to tap into our creativity and spirituality as we use Scripture to create beautiful prayer bowls/plates. Anne will provide a list of Scripture verses, or you can highlight your favorite and creatively decorate it as the Spirit moves you. For all of the details and to register, please click the link:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2022/03/21/faith-beautifully-crafted/
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT:
Finding Beauty and Wholeness in Our Stories
April 23 from 8:30-1:00
Ladies, we hope that you will set aside this time to join us at the Parish Center for this retreat style morning that is all about finding balance and wholeness in our lives. We are blessed to have three awesome women, Kate Gallihugh, Ashley Ghose, and Kristin Allen, to share their stories with us and encourage us in our own unique life journeys. During our time together, we will hear stories, reflect on our own lives, journal, and engage in small group discussions. The cost is $20. Breakfast, lunch, a journal and devotional are all included with the registration fee.
For more info and to register visit the website:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2022/03/07/perfectly-imperfect-finding-beauty-and-wholeness-in-our-stories/
This Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent, our catechumens will undergo the second of the three scrutinies. The Gospel for this second scrutiny is always the story of The Man Born Blind. This story is about so much more than physical blindness. It's really about all of the ways that we are spiritually blind to God's presence in others and how we close our eyes to their needs, sometimes even hiding behind our own pride and piety. This might be a good week for us to ask God to heal the ways that we are blind to the suffering in the world and to give us the eyes to see people the way that he does.
Wishing you a week of clear vision and living Lent for others,
lyn