This week at CCM!

Welcome back from Spring Break!  We hope it was a restful time for everyone!

Lent is here!  

So, what is Lent about, anyway?  The short answer is that it is a season of preparation for Easter, most especially for those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil.  As we journey with them, Lent is an opportunity to renew our relationship with God, focusing on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  To journey together this Lent as a community, we've put together several opportunities for prayer and service during the Lenten season:

Daily Mass:   There is perhaps no better way to deepen our relationship with God than in the sacrifice of the Mass.  Join us Mondays and Thursdays at 12:30, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30.  And, if you want to go to Mass on Friday, our FOCUS missionaries go together to St. Joseph Church for noon Mass.  They leave from CCM at 11:30-anyone is welcome to join them!

Exposition of the Eucharist:  An important part of deepening prayer is silence.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15, we spend time in quiet to celebrate the presence of Jesus among us.  

Reconciliation/Confession:  Lent is always about mercy and forgiveness.   Each Wednesday during Exposition, a priest is here to hear confessions.  Email Fr. Ed if you need to come at a different time.  

Daily Prayer:  On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9am, a group meets to pray Morning Prayer.  This prayer, based in the psalms, is a wonderful way to begin your day!  There will also be a prayer box in the lounge if you have any prayer intentions you would like us to pray for.  

Retreat:  A retreat is always helpful in deepening our relationship with God.  This year,
we will explore the importance of taking care of our body, mind, and soul (and how to do so!) and delve deeper into the Passion of Christ.

Bible Study:  Our FOCUS missionaries will be holding special bible studies during Lent.  So, if you haven't had an opportunity during the rest of the year, now's your chance!  Come see our missionaries at Mass this weekend for details and to sign up!

Giving:   As part of our almsgiving, CCM has supported Catholic Relief Service's Ricebowl each year.  The rice bowls are available here at CCM; you're invited to share your spare change over the season of Lent to help support the work of CRS world wide.  

Low Gluten hosts. Fr. Ed recently purchased some low-gluten hosts...if you are gluten-intolerant, just let him know before Mass (please come a little early if you can), so that he can make these available for you.