Good morning and happy Friday!!
Let's take a minute to look through the events below that are coming up along with the ways that you can get involved with the parish and other faith-based opportunities. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Let us start this flocknote with a prayer:
My loving Lord,
it's so hard to love the world sometimes
and to love it the way Jesus did seems impossible.
Help me to be inspired by his love and
guided by his example.
Most of all, I want to accept that I can't do it alone,
and that trying is an arrogance of self-centeredness. I need you, dear God, to give me support
in this journey.
Show me how to unlock my heart
so that I am less selfish.
Let me be less fearful of the pain and darkness
that will be transformed by you into Easter joy.
In Your name we pray,
Amen.
Lenten Confessions
Don’t forget our annual Lenten Penance Service is this Wednesday. The requirement for Catholics is to receive the sacrament of reconciliation at least once per year, but it does not specify when that should be. Many Catholics, however, do receive this sacrament during the Lenten season, and for good reason: Lent is an especially penitential season, meaning that during Lent we are called to make an extra effort to examine our lives and to strive to live in greater conformity with our faith, to imitate Jesus in a greater way.
During Lent we also take on some extra penitential practices in order to grow in holiness and be free from the bondage of sin. Because of this, it is fitting that many Catholics choose to receive the sacrament of reconciliation during this holy season.
Fifth Sunday of Lent
At this point in our Lenten journey, it is tempting to grow weary of the spiritual disciplines we have taken on. Today’s readings inspire us to remain faithful, in grateful response to a God who loves us so much. In our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks God’s own words to us. “I will put my spirit in you that you may live… I have promised and I will do it, says the Lord.” Our God wants to be so closely united to us that we are one with Him. And He has promised He will do it. But only if we make room for Him by making Him THE priority of our lives. Putting God first is a grateful response that is very pleasing to Him.
How can we do this? Our second reading, from Romans, tells us. “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh… you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” The disciplines of Lent and a stewardship way of life are wonderful gifts that free us from too great an attachment to “the flesh.” The sacrifices we make as Christian stewards are not meant to restrict our freedom and joy. Quite the contrary. They are tools to help us find the real freedom and joy that only come when we make room in our lives for God.
As we journey closer to the Passion of our Lord, let us intensify our Lenten resolutions and our stewardship way of life, inviting the Holy Spirit to take over more and more of our lives. By Easter, we will be freer to rejoice in Him and truly pleasing to God.
— Catholic Stewardship Consultants: www.CatholicSteward.com
Luke 18 Retreat
Please pray for our 8th graders as they participate in the Luke 18 Retreat next weekend, based on the 18th chapter of Luke’s gospel. This retreat welcomes the “Lukers” into the church by helping them to experience God and His Love. Through games, songs, skits, personal sharing, small group time, and a series of talks given by high school teens, the “Lukers” are encouraged to have fun, break down their walls, and see that God and His Love are present in their relationships. Our hope is that the Luke 18 retreat is not a one-time experience but will lead the “Lukers” to continue to deepen their faith throughout high school and adulthood. This retreat is unique because it is organized and coordinated by SCA Youth Ministry and its volunteers. A team of high school students both present the talks and lead small groups. With a “Youth Ministering to Youth” approach, the 8th graders can relate more easily to the experience of living a Catholic life at home and at school. We should be so thankful to our dedicated youth ministry program under the leadership of Father Auer.
Fr. Yates,
Pastor
Come join us this evening from 4pm to 7pm for our second Fish Fry of the Lenten season...And stick around afterwards at 7:30pm to join us in Church to do the Stations of the Cross!! We hope to see you there!
Moms & Dads.....Girls on the Run is back at St. Clare for Spring 2023!!
We would love to have you help our amazing girls enjoy this AMAZING program. Please consider volunteering your time as a coach.
If interested, please contact Sarah Mensinger at 573-694-0486 or by email at sjmensinger@gmail.com for more information.
Girls on the Run will be so much FUN!!
SVDP FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
Chewy Granola Bars | Cranberry or Grape Juice | Goldfish Crackers
Pasta Sauce (in jars) | Ramen Noodles | 2T/3T Toddler Pull Ups
Men & Women Large Depends
Your generosity is so appreciated by our neighbors in need that rely on our food pantry to get by in their time of need. We thank you for your continued prayers and support. God bless you, St. Vincent de Paul Society.
**Please note that we cannot distribute outdated items**
And Don't Forget...Not a member of our Parish yet,
but want to join?
Click on the button below learn how you can join:
Bulletin for March 26th, 2023
What are the Scrutinies?
These Rites are celebrated to help deliver the elect (those to be baptized) from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Rites of Scrutiny are meant to uncover, and then heal, all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the elects’ hearts and to bring out, through repentance, all that is upright, strong, and good. Three Scrutinies are celebrated in the parish community on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, after the homily.
What is the 2nd RCIA Scrutiny and how might it help the parish as a whole?
This week, universal Church hears the story of the Samaritan Woman. These readings (Exodus 17:3-7, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9, Romans 5:1-2,5-8 and John 4:5-42) were chosen to be the driving force of prayerful introspection, surrender, and conversion. They offer powerful images of surrender, sin, conversion, faith, and healing. In our faith journey with those seeking Baptism, we must stir our souls, as if they were dying campfires, to expose any parts of ourselves that have not been purified by the burning love of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged with the Samaritan woman at the well when we thirst for the Lord, who knows what we need and provides it. The celebrations of the Scrutinies also remind the whole parish community of the need to reflect on their own sins and the need for God’s help. Take this gift of the Church and use this group of readings listed above as Lenten reflections this week. Read them slowly, asking the Lord to give you the grace to hear what is being said to you. Share these readings with your children or your spouse.
What is the Presentation of the Creed for those in the RCIA process, and when does it occur?
This Rite, which the wider parish community does not see as it is during this week’s RCIA session, entrusts the words of the Creed to those seeking to enter the Catholic Church through baptism. Nearly seventeen centuries old, the Creed is recited by the faithful at every Mass, and summarizes what we believe as Catholics. For those coming into the Church this Easter, this Rite symbolizes that our parish community is passing on and sharing the beliefs of our Catholic faith with them, so that those about to join our Catholic family embrace and treasure these venerable words as we do.