3rd sunday of lent february 28th, 2016 · sunday of lent when a parish community has candi- ......
TRANSCRIPT
NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION/CHANGE OF ADDRESS
FAMILY NAME
MALE HEAD FEMALE HEAD
CHILDREN’S NAME & BIRTHDATES:
ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS
POSTAL CODE ______________ TELEPHONE ___________________
WOULD YOU LIKE A VISIT? (_____)
PARISH OFFERING ENVELOPES? (___) OR PRE-AUTHORIZED DEPOSIT (PAD)? ( _)
ST. ANNE’S PARISH PASTORAL ASSOCIATES
Sr. Dianne Sehn, OSU [email protected] (931-4700 ext 224)
Patti Pasloski [email protected] (931-4700 ext 223)
Ruxandra Ristea [email protected] (931-4700 ext 225)
Ken Neitz [email protected] (955-0341)
NEW IN THE PARISH? MOVING? Please help us keep parish records up-to-date. It assists us to serve
you. Please complete the following and return to the parish office by mail or in the weekend collection
basket. Thank you for your assistance.
ST. ANNE’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday to Friday: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm/ 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Parish Secretary: Darlene Fix Office Ph: 931-4700 ext 221
Email: [email protected] Custodial/Maintenance: Gerry Rudulier 931-4700 ext 228 / [email protected]
BAPTISM Expectant parents please contact the parish office to arrange for baptism preparation and
for the celebration. Upcoming baptism preparation: Mar 9/16, May 11/18
Baptism Dates: April 2/3, 2016, May 28/29, 2016
MARRIAGE Arrangements for marriage can be made by contacting the parish office six months prior
to the date of the marriage.
Pastoral Council Representative: Chairperson Lois Spizawka [email protected]
Pastor: Fr. Matthew Ramsay
E-mail: [email protected] Office: 306-931-4700
Fax: 306-931-4784
E-mail: [email protected]
217 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon, S7K 6Y2 Web-site: www.saintannes.ca
3rd Sunday of Lent February 28th, 2016
LIVING WATER
Today’s Readings: Exodus 17:3–7; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9; Romans 5:1–2, 5–8;
John 4:5–42.
The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman invites us to ask, “For what do we
thirst?” Societal pressures can keep us busy and become an easy distraction from what really
matters. It’s not hard to fill our day with insignificant things. When Jesus questions the
woman, she doesn’t seem to quite understand that he is the “gift of God,” the living water. Is
she too distracted to notice? It’s not until he reveals her history that she begins to see that he
is the Messiah, the one who comes to unite the nations. Here is a moment of conversion and
faith. She quickly runs to tell the others who also come to believe. Like the woman, we are
thirsty for the living water. The question is, what keeps us from quenching our thirsts? Have
you become acquainted with Jesus, the living water?
This reading is always proclaimed on the Third
Sunday of Lent when a parish community has candi-
dates for Baptism as part of the First Scrutiny. The goal
of the scrutiny is to uncover the sins that keep us from a
life in Christ. As we examine ourselves this Lenten sea-
son, we are asked, just like the elect, to uncover the sins
in our lives and expose them so they might be healed
and transformed. We have a choice: do we die to our-
selves so that we might embrace Christ, or do we con-
tinue to look in all the wrong places and never quench
our thirst? Consider taking a moment to share your story
with one of the elect.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29TH, 2016 8:30 am - Morning Prayer
11:30 am - Mass @ St. Angela Merici Residence
4:00 pm - RCIC
4:45 pm - Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
7:00pm - RCIA
TUESDAY, MARCH 1ST, 2016
7:00 pm - Edge
7:30 pm - CWL General Meeting
7:30 pm - K of C Executive Meeting
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2ND, 2016
10:00 am - Lenten Bible Study
6:15 pm - (9:00) choir practice
7:00 pm - Familia
8:00 pm - Adoration
THURSDAY, MARCH 3RD, 2016
6:30 pm - (5:00) choir practice
7:00 pm - Pastoral Council Meeting
8:00 pm - (11:00) choir practice
FRIDAY, MARCH 4TH, 2016 8:30 am - Morning Prayer
2:00 pm - Mass @ Primrose Chateau
5:00 pm - Rosary / 5:30 pm - Mass
6:00 pm - Poverty Meal/Lenten Reflection
7:00 pm - School of Adoration
8:00 pm to 8:00 am - Adoration
SATURDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2016 4:00 pm - Reconciliation
5:00 pm - Mass
6:00 pm - Youth Alpha
SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2016
9:00 am - Mass
11:00 am - Mass
Please note: Due to priests’s study days there
is no daily liturgy Tuesday, Wednesday or
Thursday.
NEWS FROM KIDS 4 CHRIST
K4C will meet on Sunday, Feb-
ruary 28th, @1:00 pm, with
registration at 12:45pm.
The Saint we will learn about is
St. Joan of Arc. We have a
great afternoon of story, song,
prayer, activities and snack portraying St.
Joan's life planned. Come and see.
Children 4 years old to Grade 3 are welcome
to join. Parents are asked to stay with their
children.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
St. Anne's is hosting Eucharistic adora-
tion through the night of Friday, March
4 at 8 pm to Saturday, March 5 at 8
am. Please come and spend time be-
fore Jesus during the Lenten season."
ATTENTION CWL: Our next general meet-
ing is Tues., March 1st at 7:30 pm. We welcome
our guest speaker: Shawna Arnold from Fountain
of Hope.
ATTENTION:
SENIORS & SENIORS OF TOMORROW
Enjoy an exciting and interactive
presentation by Psychologist and
Counsellor Nayyar Javed as she
talks about “Transitions in Aging”
and it’s implications, with partici-
pants input. Explore and under-
stand the effects of aging on our
physical and psychological health.
Please try and attend this interesting
and inspiring event at St. Anne’s
Parish Wednesday, March 9th at
1:30 pm. Everyone is welcome.
WANTED: TOYS & BOOKS
The Global Gathering Place - a drop in centre
that provides services for immigrants and ref-
ugees is seeking donations of fairly new toys
and books for children up to 10 years old.
Your donations can be dropped off at the cen-
tre at 100 - 5th Ave. No.
**Jesus and The Gospel of Peace” presented by Dr. Chris Hrynkow 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 at St. Francis Xavier, Saskatoon. Pre-registration: Irene at (306) 933-1108; $5.
**Building toward Reconciliation: Christianity in Indigenous Histories symposium 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, Room 344 at St. Thomas More College, 1437 College Drive, on the university campus in Saskatoon. All welcome.
**Parish Nursing Information Forum will be held 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 3 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 310 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon for all those interested in learning more about the role of Parish Nurses. Contact Mona at (306) 978-1951, Elaine at (306) 652-4524, or e-mail: [email protected]
**Men’s Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast while learning about men’s health 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Saturday, March 5 at St. Philip Neri Parish. Contact Parish Nurses, Ethna or Deb: (306) 343-0325. Cost: by donation.
**Concerns About Assisted Death and In Support of Palliative Care, presented by Dr. Vivian Walker, Co-Director of Palliative Care, Saskatoon Health Region and ethicist Dr. Joy Mendel, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tues-day, March 8 in the Pylypchuk Hall at St. Paul’s Hospital (Level Zero, B Wing). RSVP by calling Dianne at (306) 655-5808.
**Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle - Holy Hour of adoration, rosary, benediction, hymns and other pray-ers, 8 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at St. Michael's Church; as well as at 3 pm. on Wednesday, March 9 at St. Paul's Co-Cathedral. For more information contact Edna at: (306) 382-1680.
**BEYOND SILOS: Prairie Views on Caring for Our Common Home - Laudato Si’ Conference will be hosted by St. Thomas More College on March 11 and 12 exploring Pope Francis’ encyclical. Includes a diversity of
speakers. Find registration and more information online at www.stmcollege.ca or call 306-966-8929.
**From Mourning to Dawn, the diocesan grief support group for widows and widowers, begins a spring ses-sion April 5. Facilitators (who have also experienced the death of a spouse) walk with participants on an eight-week journey of transformation and healing, offering support and encouragement to participants who have been widows/widowers between two months and two years. Sessions are held on eight consecutive Tuesdays, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Family. The cost is $25. For more information or to register, contact Elan Ehrsman at (306) 679-7717 or email: [email protected]
Join Pope Francis and the Worldwide Church in
24 HOURS FOR THE LORD Experience Eucharistic Adoration and the
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
During this Jubilee Year of Mercy - March 4-5!
Adoration and Confession will be held at St.
Paul’s Co-Cathedral from 1 pm Friday, March 4th
and continuing through the night. Adoration will
be held at Holy Spirit from midnight Friday to 12
noon Saturday, March 5th, with confessions from
midnight Friday to 12 noon Saturday, March 5th
with confession from midnight to 1 am and 7am
to noon
PENITENTIAL SERVICES
Wed., March 9th: St. Anne’s Church
Wed., March 16th: St. Mary’s Church
Tues., March 22nd: St. Peter the Apostle/
St. Michael’s Church
All Penitential Services begin at 7:00
pm.
As well, the sacrament of reconcilia-
tion is available every Saturday at St.
Anne’s Church from 4:00 pm to 4:45
pm.
Let Us Pray ……
Prayer remains a constant that unites and draws us closer together. Please advise us of
your prayer needs and let the power of our parish’s collective prayer support you.
A parish united in prayer creates a mighty power!
Let us pray that we may take care of creation – a gift freely given – cultivating
and protecting it for future generations. (Pope Francis’ universal intention for Febru-
ary.)
Let us pray for all leaders and public authorities whose decisions touch the life of our planet.
Let us pray that our Elect may experience Jesus as the “living water,” refreshing them
throughout their faith journey.
Let us pray for the poor and marginalized: may their needs be met through our prayer, sacri-
fice, and almsgiving.
Let us pray for the sick and homebound. We pray for George Georget, Kathy Wyman, Ewald
Gossner, Peter Encinas, Rose Loustel, Bruce McCracken, Ryan Lafleur, Sarah Denis, Har-
per Vey, Adam German, Patricia Jennison, Denise Hounjet-Roth. May they be comforted and
healed.
Let us pray for those who have died and for those who are mourning. We remember Edward
Chretien, on the anniversary of his death, father of Lucille & Ron Jacobs. May they be wel-
comed into the everlasting peace of heaven.
Loving Father, we ask that you hear our prayers and help us to continue to grow in faith. We pray
through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
OFFERING FOR FEBRUARY 20TH/21ST
Loose Collection $ 595.20
Envelopes & PAD 7,783.06
$ 8,378.26
Sanctuary Renovations $ 1,070.00
Please consider making a separate donation
towards the sanctuary steps renovation. Dona-
tion should be clearly marked “Sanctuary Ren-
ovations”. We would like to try to avoid tak-
ing money from our reserve fund to pay for the
project. Thank you for your support.
The 3rd Annual Fundraiser (East Indian Buf-
fet) for Persecuted Christians is taking place on
Sunday March 6 at Holy Family Cathedral
Hall. The doors open at 5 pm. There will be
craft sales, children's activities and live enter-
tainment and cash bar that evening. Tickets are
$30 each. Tickets will be available for pur-
chase after Sunday masses or at the parish of-
fice Monday to Friday during office hours or
by contacting John Marshall by phone (306)
978-8882. For more information contact
Nadeem Bhatti (306) 717-7725 (cell).
Queen’s House offers many retreat opportunities at 601 Taylor Street W., Saskatoon.
See www.queenshouse.org or register at (306) 242-1916. Upcoming events:
“Journey with Scripture: Exodus” with Fr . Paul Fachet, OMI, 10 a.m. to noon, March 2, $25,
includes lunch;
“Celebrating God’s Mercy During Lent” with Bishop Ger ry Wiesner , OMI, 7 pm. to 8:30
p.m. in the chapel on Monday, March 14, by donation
“Living a Life without Resentment” with Sarah Donnelly 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday,
March 12, $55, includes lunch.
JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY “In a world that is so filled with turmoil and suffering, we need to experience God’s mercy in our
everyday lives and bring that mercy to others. God never stops or goes a halfway in showing
Mercy to His children and He calls us to do the same.” Pope Francis, The Holy Y ear of Mercy: A
Faith Sharing Guide, Page 8 www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/yearofmercy
1) Youth Alpha: Our program for high school students is cur rently
running on Saturday evenings, 6:15-8:00. FREE with supper included.
Join us!
2) My Generation Youth Rally: we are going down to a youth rally
in Regina on the weekend of March 12-13th. $50 conference registration
fee & open to all high school students.
Accommodations and carpooling will be free. Contact Ruxandra at
[email protected] to register.
3) Bus trip: Registration is now open for Face II Face Ministries' annual bus trip to the Steuben-
ville North Conference in Rochester, MN. This trip will be on July 13-21 and is open to all high
school students and current grade 8 students. More info and registration at f2f.ca/bustrip. Spots are
expected to fill up fast.
4) Gym nights: If any young adults, adults or parents would be interested in leading occa-
sional gym nights with our youth, please let Ruxandra know.
5) Edge:
*Note to parents: Our topic this week will be modesty. The goal is to help your child under -
stand our call as Catholic Christians to set an example of modesty in our language, behaviour, and
clothing. The older elementary school years are an important time to focus on developing virtues
that lead toward modesty. As a parent, this is a great opportunity to discuss the issue of modesty.
Here are some questions to discuss: How would you define modesty? Why do you think we are
called to be modest in our language, behaviour, and clothing? What is one way you can live more
modestly this week?
SHARE LENT PILGRIMAGE
Share Lent Pilgrimage –
Building community in Indonesia
The third week of our pilgrimage finds us in Indo-
nesia. The word kampung has come to mean ‘slum’
in the local language, but its original definition is ‘community’. Our support for Share Lent means
that Try Mopurto, who lives in a kampung, has been able to renovate his home for his family, despite
suffering from mental illness. The community is coming together to support him and his family. “My
home is my heaven,” he says, “because here we feel the meaning of brotherhood in the social life of
the kampung.”
At our next Friday poverty meal we will view a video about the work of a D&P partner and villagers
in Indonesia as they rebuild their communities after the 2004 tsunami. We will also have a visitor,
Yuli Kusworo from Indonesia, with us. You can read about Try and Yuli (WEEK 3) in the mini-
magazine that was inserted in the bulletin two weeks ago.
NEWS FROM THE CATECHUMENATE
Rite of Christian Initiation: The Scrutinies Lent is a time of intense spiritual preparation for those journeying in the Rite of
Christian Initiation. On the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent, the elect (unbaptized)
celebrate special rites called the Scrutinies. To prepare for the scrutiny rites, we scru-
tinize ourselves, that is, we look closely at the role sin has played in our lives. In the
scrutiny rites we ask God to help us be aware of our sins but also, more importantly, aware of God’s profound
love for us. Scrutinies acknowledge the presence of sin in our lives and in our world, but more importantly, they
acknowledge God’s power that prevails over sin and darkness. God is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
The scrutinies use powerful gospel themes from John’s Gospel, cycle A. Cycle A readings are always used when
a parish has elect who will be initiated at Easter. These are the stories of the Samaritan woman, the man born
blind, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. On these three Sundays, we take a long careful look (scrutinize)
at what in our community causes thirst, blinds us, and entombs us in death, and also at where we might be a com-
munity which offers Christ’s living water, light and life. The scrutiny prayers proclaim God’s triumph over evil,
and the freedom that is ours through forgiveness and reconciliation. The prayers take seriously God’s love and
merciful compassion for all of us.
These three gospels present the elect and us with images and symbols that will figure heavily in the Easter vigil.
The images of water, light, and new life will recur throughout the vigil readings, and again in the liturgy of bap-
tism.
First Scrutiny is celebrated on the third Sunday of Lent. We are invited to scrutinize our own hear ts on our
growing faith in Jesus Christ and to pray for cleansing and refreshment in the parched and desert areas of our
lives. With the Samaritan woman, we reflect on the before and after of the encounter with Jesus. It is like living
water.
Second Scrutiny: On the four th Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the second scrutiny. We are invited as a
Church to look at our own blindness that prevents us from seeing the needs of others, our poor, oppressed, mar-
ginalized and forgotten brothers and sisters, and doing something about it. We are called to discern if we are will-
ing to listen to the voices within our community and allow God's light to transform us and our blindnessses.
Third Scrutiny: On the fifth Sunday of Lent the elect celebrate the third and final scrutiny as they prepare
for Baptism. Together with them, we are asked to scrutinize ourselves on the experience of new life. What more
dramatic way could be found than a meditation on Lazarus raised from death! Throughout Lent we hear the Lord
urging us to “come out” from the dark tomb of our sins and selfishness, to be free, and to live with him.
The Celebration of all the Scrutinies with our elect, Julia Feng, Dawie Wang, Yitong Wang and HeHe Wang will
take place beginning on Feb. 27 at the 5:00 pm Mass.
PRESENTATION OF THE CREED to Our Catechumens - 5:30 pm Mass March 4
As our elect (Julia, Y itong, He He, and Dawie) complete their catechetical formation in
preparation for the celebration of the Rites of Initiation at Easter, the Church lovingly en-
trusts to them the Creed and Lord’s Prayer, the ancient texts that have always been regard-
ed as expressing the heart of the Church’s faith and prayer. This rite publicly celebrates the
handing on of the tradition of faith and prayer to the elect, by the community.
The rite of Presentation of The Creed most clearly expresses that it is WE ,the com-
munity of faith, who hands on the tradition of what we believe. The actual
"presentation" is the community’s profession of the creed in the presence of our elect. The community
hands on the creed with the expectation that they will learn it by heart. When the elect are baptized, they will
publicly commit themselves to professing the creed with their lives, as we the believers do. From the time they
are baptized, they will stand with the community....us at our Sunday gathering and profess the creed in re-
sponse to the proclamation of the word of God. By presenting Our Elect with the creed, the church is entrusting
to them its role of proclaiming the church's faith to the world.
LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR: 4th Sunday of Lent - March 5th/6th
To view the ministry schedule till June, 2016, go to: www.saintannes.ca
Liturgy
Coordinator
5:00 pm Henriette LeStrat
9:00 am Barb Fredrickson
11:00 am Neil Mooney
Lectors Laura Kennedy
Caroline Delbaere
R. Cechanowicz
Elaine Zakreski
Mona Goodman
Aline Korol
Sandra Urbanoski
Dan McHale
A Lamanzares-Abad
Iasmina Dunca
Communion
Ministers
Donna Erdman
Lois Spizawka
Barb Fischer
Miranda Lavier
Heather Buchholz
Val Sigurdson
Sheena Wing
Ashton Richter
Val Stone
Sandra Richter
Audrey Matushewski
Tristan Ward
Joyce Malacad
Sharon Francis-Graham
Patti Seto
Joel Denis
Sarah Denis
Ushers Robert Misener
Patricia Misener
Kevin O’Donnell
Giselle O’Donnell
Allan Zakreski
Grace Zakreski
Peter Zakreski
Garry Fix
Garry Viden
Garry Sturgeon
Greeters Lucille Jacobs
Betty Jmaeff
Judy Lund
Henriette LaStrat
Ben Sparling
Cam Fuller/Donella Hoffman
Larry/Diane Monette
Carmen Koss
Penny Laprairie
Sr. D. Bertrand
Sr. D. St. Arnault
Betty Field
Constance Lynch
Servers Jessica Gerein
Robert Molyneux
Sarah Molyneux
Jenna Fraser
Valerie Jackson
Connor Jackson
RJ Poelzer
Angelo Badiana
Gieven Badiana
LWC Dean/Andrea Schmidt Anja Gilje
Anne Kenny
Gift Bearers Paula Fortier Fraser Family Mirela Dunca
Parent meeting for all families preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Commun-
ion. Please register before the meeting by email or dropping it off at the church. The meeting
takes place on Tuesday, March 22th from 7-8:00 pm (6:30 registration) at the Church. Your
children do not need to attend with you. For more information or questions please go to the website
at http://saintannes.ca/ or contact Patti Pasloski at 931-4700 or [email protected].
Development and Peace Solidarity Visitor - Architect Y uli Kusworo of Indonesia will visit our
diocese as part of this year’s Share Lent campaign for Development and Peace. He is a founding mem-
ber and coordinator of the grassroots organization Arkomjogja, which works with urban poor in mar-
ginalized and disaster-prone or postdisaster communities. He also acts as a consultant on Develop-
ment and Peace’s reconstruction program in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
• Holy Spirit, 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, desserts served.
• St. Mary, 211 Avenue 0 South, Saskatoon, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5, muffins served.
• St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster, Jerome Assembly 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, snacks served.
• St. Joseph, 600-4th Avenue West, Kindersley, 12 noon, Friday, March 11, includes lunch; RSVP
by calling: (306) 463-2306. Share Lent 2016 - Bishop Don Bolen’s letter about Share Lent “Climate
of Change” is posted at: www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/news
Third Sunday of Lent Living Water Holy God, font of all life, in the waters of new birth you brought us to life through Jesus, your Son. Look with favor upon your people, who, like the woman at the well, desire never to thirst again. Give us living water and quench our stony hearts so that your Holy Spirit might dwell within us and fill us with your love and peace. Drinking from the wellspring of holiness, may we taste your presence and persevere in faith. Make, O Lord, our lives like an ever-flowing spring to proclaim your glorious name amid our parched and anxious world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This Week at Home Monday, February 29, 2016 Hearing
Both Elisha and Elijah end up serving non-Israelites because they weren’t accepted by their own
people. The end of the Gospel indicates that the people became furious with Jesus. Like Elisha
and Elijah, Jesus is rejected in his own land. We learn in this passage that Jesus was sent to save
all people and those who hear the Word of God will be drawn in and healed. By spending time in
silence today, you may become attentive to the call of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Readings: 2 Kings 5:1–5ab; Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Luke 4:24–30.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Mercy
In today’s Gospel, Jesus paints a picture of mercy as he seeks to teach his disciples about for-
giveness. It’s not always easy to forgive a neighbor, but as Christians, we must strive to follow
Jesus’ example. Like the psalmist, many of us plead that God will remember the times he be-
stowed mercy. Do you remember to be merciful? How can Lent be a turning point for you?
Whom do you need to forgive? Pray for a contrite heart.
Today’s Readings: Daniel 3:25, 34–43; Psalm 25:4–5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8–9; Matthew 18:21–35.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016` Law/Love
Both readings today speak about the Law. Many people shy away from this word. Let’s consider
it another way. Jesus says he fulfills the Law. His very presence reveals the Kingdom and his
ministry is about preaching the justice and peace of God. To follow him means to suffer and to
love one’s neighbor. If we are genuine in this mission and seek forgiveness when we fail at lov-
ing, Jesus says we will be “great in the kingdom of heaven.” Spend a few moments examining
your conscience.
Today’s Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5–9; Psalm 147:12–13, 15–16, 19–20; Matthew 5:17–19.
Thursday, March 3, 2016 Optional Memorial of St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin
Why is it so hard to listen? What makes it so difficult to follow God’s will? God is madly in
love with us and desires for us to be in relationship. If we listen to God’s voice with open hearts,
we will be changed and God will fill us with love. This love will overflow so that we can share
it. Katharine Drexel’s heart was so open to God’s love that when she saw oppression, she sought
to alleviate suffering. She established schools for Native Americans and African Americans.
Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 7:23–28; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9; Luke 11:14–23.
Friday, March 4, 2016 Love
The Gospel gives us a powerful message today. Jesus combines two great commandments that
Moses gave to Israel. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) calls us to love God with our entire be-
ing. Leviticus 19:18 reminds us to also love our neighbor. The scribe, who had witnessed all the
distress around Jesus, realizes that love, not sacrifices, is what God desires. Because he realizes
this, Jesus tells him he’s not far from the Kingdom. How do you understand love as your mis-
sion? Consider writing down the Shema and using it in prayer.
Today’s Readings: Hosea 14:2–10; Psalm 81:6c–8a, 8bc–9, 10–11ab, 14 and 17; Mark 12:28–
34.
Saturday, March 5, 2016 Return
The prophet Hosea is pleading for Israel to return to the love of the Lord. If they do so, God will
heal and revive them. Hosea reminds us that God desires steadfast love. In the Gospel, we see
this vulnerable love in the tax collector who honestly approaches God to seek mercy. God will
have mercy on those who love him.
Today’s Readings: Hosea 6:1–6; Psalm 51:3–4, 18–19, 20–21ab; Luke 18:9–14.