Saint Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe
&
Saint Mary, Mother of God
Partner Parishes of the Diocese of Greensburg
Pennsylvania Charitable Trusts
Contact Information
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Kittanning
101 W High Street
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-548-7649
www.stmarykittanning.org
Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 12 Noon
Weekend Mass Times
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Saturday / Kittanning
Saturday / Yatesboro
Sunday / Kittanning
Sunday / Yatesboro
Sacrament of Reconciliation
12:00 p.m. 1st Saturday / Yatesboro
12:00 p.m. 2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturday / Kittanning
Sacrament of Baptism
Contact the parish office.
Sacrament of Marriage
Arrangements must be made with
Father Doug at least one year in advance.
Ministry to Sick and Homebound
Contact the Parish Office if you or
a family member would like to receive
Eucharist or the Sacrament of
the Anointing of the Sick.
Parish Cemeteries
St. Joseph & St. Mary Cemeteries
Contact the parish office in Kittanning.
Sacred Heart & St. Mary Cemeteries
Contact the parish office in Yatesboro.
St. Mary, Mother of God
Yatesboro
PO Box 327, 109 2nd Street
Yatesboro, PA 16263
724-783-7191
www.saintmaryyatesboro.org
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pastoral Staff
The Reverend Douglas E. Dorula
Pastor & Administrator
[email protected]
The Reverend Efren C. Ambre
Parochial Vicar
[email protected]
The Reverend Alan W. Grote
Regional Chaplain for Northern Armstrong County
724-763-1207 or 724-763-1089
Kittanning Staff
Yatesboro Staff
Erika Dragunova, Office Manager
Betty Rose Walker, Office Manager
[email protected]
[email protected]
Joseph Kacprowski
Bonnie Frailey
Coordinator of Faith Formation &
Parish Hall Coordinator
[email protected]
Coordinator of Faith Formation
[email protected]
Sandy Ashley
Peggy Skamai, Organist
Director of Liturgy & Music
[email protected]
Bob Skamai, Choir Director
Marilyn Brochetti, Business Manager
Cathy Smith, Cemetery Manager
Joe Kiehlmeier, Maintenance
[email protected]
Sandy Caresani, Sacristan
Tom Caresani, Maintenance
Helpful Phone Numbers
Divine Redeemer Regional Catholic School
St. Mary Parish Hall Rental, Kittanning
St. Mary/St. Gabriel Hall Rental, Yatesboro
St. Vincent de Paul Helpline, Kittanning
Prayer Chain, Yatesboro
Good Samaritan Ministry, Yatesboro
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ February 26, 2017
724-763-3761
724-548-7649
724-783-7191
724-543-2134
724-783-7530
814-257-8463
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Partner Parishes Liturgical Schedule
Saturday, February 25 Vigil
4:00 p.m.
Kittanning
Bessie Chemelli by Jean, Chris, Bill & Jane
Chemelli
6:00 p.m.
Yatesboro
For All Living & Deceased Parishioners
Sunday, February 26
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 49:14-15; 1 Cor 4:1-5; Mt 6:24-34
9:00 a.m.
Kittanning
11:00 a.m. Yatesboro
Clara Socha by William & Dianne Emminger
Nikki Rearick ~ 18th Year Memorial by
Mom, Dad, Chris & Family
Monday, February 27 Weekday
8:00 a.m.
Kittanning
Joe Runco by Father Doug & St. Mary
Parish Family
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration in Kittanning
Tuesday, February 28 Weekday
8:30 a.m.
Yatesboro
Frank Gigliotti by Father Doug
Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday
Jl 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20—6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
8:00 a.m.
Kittanning
12:00 p.m. Yatesboro
Robert Simensky by First Catholic Slovak
Union, Branch 200
Georgeanne Beresnyak by Ed Harper
12:05 p.m. Kittanning Word Service with Distribution of Ashes
7:00 p.m.
Kittanning
John & Frances Rizzo by Mike & Corina
Rizzo & Family
7:00 p.m.
Yatesboro
Greg Kunkle by Denny & Janet Hellgren
Thursday, March 2
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Dt 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25
8:30 a.m.
Yatesboro
Jodi Ryan by Alan & Linda Abranovic
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration in Yatesboro
6:30 p.m.
Yatesboro
Friday, March 3
Stations of the Cross
Saint Katharine Drexel
Sir 6:5-17; Mk 10:1-12
8:00 a.m.
Kittanning
John S. Kacprowski by Son, Joseph
8:30 a.m.
Yatesboro
George Skamai, Sr. by Marie Rusko
12:05 p.m. Kittanning
Stations of the Cross
Kittanning
Stations of the Cross
7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 4
12:00 Noon Yatesboro
Sacrament of Reconciliation
4:00 p.m.
Kittanning
Mr. & Mrs. William Chemelli, Sr. by
Shirley Scopel
6:00 p.m.
Yatesboro
Tony Vicini ~ Birthday Remembrance by
Wife, Bea
Sunday, March 5
First Sunday of Lent
9:00 a.m.
For All Living & Deceased Parishioners
Kittanning
11:00 a.m. Yatesboro
George Beatty, Sr. by DiDiano & Beatty
Families
February 26, 2017
Celebrating
Eighth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
The providential love
of God is without end
and God's eternal
mercy is shown to every creature. Even in times of
pain and difficulty, we are called to trust in God's
mercy and love. The great spiritual writer,
Jean-Pierre de Caussade, put it well in his work,
Abandonment to Divine Providence, when he said,
"To escape the distress caused by regret for the past
or fear about the future, this is the rule to follow:
leave the past to the infinite mercy of God, the future
to His good Providence, give the present wholly to
His love by being faithful to His grace." In the Gospel
today, we are reminded that God takes care of
His creatures, the birds, the flowers, even the grass!
He will certainly take care of us.
Please remember in your prayers the soul of
Dorothy Kania, mother of Kittanning
parishioner Mary Beth Brake, and Marcella
Kijowski, sister of Kittanning parishioner
Clara Kaplon, who passed away last week.
May God grant them eternal rest and peace.
The Sanctuary Candle in Kittanning is burning this
week in memory of Deceased Members of the
Sabol & Sysyn Families by David & Jackie Sysyn.
The Tabernacle Candle in Yatesboro is burning
this week in memory of Todd Tyrrell by Aunt,
Ethel Reda.
Lent Begins
This Week on
Ash Wednesday,
March 1.
Forgiving God, draw us ever closer to you.
Encourage us to be still, to listen, to remember, to act.
Fill us, protect us, renew us, be with us
as we journey through Lent. Amen.
Ash Wednesday Schedule
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Kittanning
8:00 a.m. Mass with Distribution of Ashes
12:05 p.m. Word Service with Distribution of Ashes
7:00 p.m. Mass with Distribution of Ashes
St. Mary, Mother of God, Yatesboro
12:00 p.m. Mass with Distribution of Ashes
7:00 p.m. Mass with Distribution of Ashes
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 26, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Wednesday we enter the month of March and the holy
season of Lent. It is time to take our annual journey which begins
with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday and continues
with many opportunities for spiritual growth. Daily Mass,
Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross are available for you
to spend time with Jesus and make this Lent a good one for you.
Also, on Monday evenings in Kittanning, come and join the
discussion of the Matthew Kelly book, "Resisting Happiness."
No registration, no fee, just bring your book that you received at
Christmas from the Knights of Columbus, Council #1011 and be
ready for the discussion.
In Kittanning, the parish with help from the Knights of Columbus,
Council #1011 and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas,
Court Patricia #998 will hold the Lenten Fish Dinners each Friday of Lent at the St. Mary Parish Hall.
Make plans to join the youth of the parish in praying the Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. in church.
In Yatesboro, the parish is holding the Lenten Fish Fry dinners each Friday at the St. Mary/St. Gabriel
Hall. Your help in both of these important parish fundraisers is important. Father Efren and I hope to
see you, your family, friends and many others at these dinners each week. I invite you to enjoy the
great food and fellowship that the dinners provide during Lent.
Bishop Malesic will be coming to the Lenten Fish Dinner in Kittanning on Friday, March 10. After the
dinner, he will lead our community in The Stations of The Cross at 7:00 p.m. with our youth
assisting. The bishop is visiting parishes across the diocese and it is an honor that he will be making
this journey to St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish to spend some time with us and our
parish family.
Finally, I would like to give you a brief report on what the pastoral councils of the parishes are
addressing now. Both councils are focusing on evangelization and parish life. In Kittanning, it was
decided that the parish picnic will be held at the St. Mary Parish Hall on Sunday, September 24.
A committee will be formed to help coordinate the activities of this annual event.
In Yatesboro, the council is making plans to reach out to those registered parishioners who do not
come to Mass and have no contact with the parish on a regular basis. The council is trying to
implement a comprehensive plan to work on this issue. Also, the council decided that the parish
picnic will be held on Sunday, August 20 and that it will be held at the St. Mary/St. Gabriel Hall.
A committee will be formed to help coordinate this annual event.
Father Doug
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 26, 2017
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish News
2017 Lenten Schedule
at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Eucharistic Adoration
Mondays of Lent 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Lenten Book Series ~ Resisting Happiness
Mondays of Lent 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays of Lent 12:05 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
A Women’s Lenten Discussion Group ~ Bridges
to Contemplative Living - Lent & Holy Week
Sundays of Lent 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lenten Booklets “Little Black Books” to foster
increased prayer during Lent are available in the
church at no cost to our parishioners. Please take
one for yourself.
“My Lenten Offering” weekly envelope included
in your packet of church envelopes, in addition to
the regular Sunday offering envelope, provides
an opportunity to make sacrificial offering during
this Holy Season of Lent. Thank you for your
Lenten sacrifice.
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe
LENTEN FISH DINNERS
Begin on Friday, March 3!
It’s not too late to let us know that you
can help with our Lenten Fish Dinners.
Consider giving us a few hours of your time to help make our
Lenten Fish Dinners a success! Call St. Mary Parish Office at
724-548-7649 this week and let us know you are available to
help with any of the following: Greeting guests, seating guests,
serving dinners, handling beverages, helping with dessert
table, resetting or bussing tables or clean up after 6:30 p.m.
Your help will be greatly appreciated!
Please help us get off to a good start
by donating a dessert!
Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Sweets
Donations Needed for Our Fish Dinners!
You may drop off your dessert each Friday during Lent
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
If able, please bring your dessert earlier in the day, so
we have sufficient time to cut it and prepare it for serving.
Make sure to sign your name on the dessert donor
sign up sheet available on the Dessert table.
Thank you for your support!
K of C Meeting
The next meeting of the Knights of Columbus,
Council #1011 will be held on Thursday, March 2,
at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Parish Center. Hope to see you there!
Join Us for a Lenten Book Series
“Resisting Happiness”
Held on 6 Mondays of Lent
Begins on March 6
7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
at St. Mary Parish Hall, Kittanning
This series will be facilitated by Catholic Men’s Fellowship
and the book “Resisting Happiness” by Matthew Kelly will
be discussed. Please bring your book to the series. If you
don’t have a book, contact the parish office. On the first
meeting date, we will be discussing Chapters 1-6.
We hope you will join us. No need to register.
All are welcome!
Plan to Join Us!
Bishop Malesic’s Lenten Visit to
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Friday, March 10
Bishop will attend our Lenten Fish Dinner and lead
The Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. with our youth assisting.
Important Stations of the Cross Rehearsal
All children and youth 4th through 12th grades
who wish to serve at the Stations of the Cross on
Fridays of Lent at 7:00 p.m. are asked to come to
the practice lead by James Gaggini and Joseph
Kacprowski this Sunday, February 26, at 10:30 a.m. in the
church. Make every effort to attend this important rehearsal.
During the month of March, St. Vincent de Paul Society will be
collecting body wash and deodorant for our local food bank.
Please bring your items to church during the month of March and
place them in the containers located under the table in the narthex
of the church. Thank you for your help!
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 26, 2017
St. Mary, Mother of God Parish News
2017 Lenten Schedule
at St. Mary, Mother of God Parish
Eucharistic Adoration
Thursdays of Lent 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.,
Followed by the Evening Prayer from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Stations of the Cross
Thursdays of Lent at 6:30 p.m.
Lenten Booklets “Little Black Books” are available to
spend time for personal reflection during Lent. Copies are
provided to members of our parish free of charge.
Lenten Folders These traditional folders provide
a wonderful daily reminder of the call to practice charity.
These funds will assist our community’s efforts to provide for
those who turn to us in time of need.
Please note: There will be no First Wednesday Eucharistic
Adoration held on Ash Wednesday, March 1.
St. Mary, Mother of God
LENTEN FISH FRY DINNERS
Begin on Friday, March 3
Much help is needed to ensure the
success of this fundraising event for
St. Mary, Mother of God Parish. In addition to
Friday evenings, help is needed with food preparation on Thursday mornings after the daily Mass.
Sign-up sheets listing areas of help on Fridays are
located on the table in the narthex of the church.
We welcome adults, and invite the teen members of
our parish. Please consider giving just a few hours
a week to help support this effort. For more
information, contact Lillian Moore at 724-783-7256.
Choir Rehearsals  Lent ~ Easter Seasons The next
Choir Rehearsal will be on Thursday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Due to the generosity of our parishioners, during last year's
Lenten Fish Fry Dinners, Mother Mary's Table was able to
distribute 142 vouchers for free dinners to the needy in our
community. We are asking once again that you consider
making a gift of a meal for the needy. Donations of $9 per
meal can be placed in the collection basket with a note for
Mother Mary's Table. Thank you for your support!
Thank You
We would like to thank our Parish family for your generous
support of our recent sock drive. With your help we were able to
collect approximately 600 pairs of socks during the month of
January. On Monday, February 13, families in our community
received the socks at Mother Mary’s Table. The remaining
socks were donated to HAVIN. In addition we are also able to
provide Fr. Efren with socks to be sent to the Philippines.
Thank you for enabling us to serve God through serving others,
St Mary, Mother of God, Youth Ministry
“The Greatest Good is what we do for one another.”
~ Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Birthday Blessings
We wish those celebrating at least their 80th Birthday
in March a very Happy and Blessed Birthday.
Madeline Samosky 2nd; Stella Perry 3rd; John Brochetti 4th;
Julia Sonni 7th; Helen Gardner 12th;
Enis Lazzeri 16th; Charles Pompelia 17th;
Ed Harper 24th; Ann Skamai 27th.
Please remember these parishioners
in your prayers on their special day.
The homebound of our community will be visited on
Wednesday, March 1. If you know of anyone who should be
included in these monthly visits, please contact the parish office.
Thank You to St. Mary, Mother of God Parish
Words cannot express our gratitude for all of the kindness
and support that you have extended to Nathan and our
entire family. Nathan is now at UPMC Mercy Traumatic
Brain Injury Institute in Pittsburgh, where he is making
amazing progress everyday toward his recovery We are
experiencing a miracle as Nathan is in the loving, healing
hands of our Lord. Your thoughts, prayers and generosity
have blessed us and we are eternally thankful for your
friendship and love.
Our Love Always,
Nathan, Sarah, & Roland and Nathan,
Carrie & Cassandra Pappal
Fridays March 3 - April 7
JOIN
US!
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary Parish Hall
361 N Jefferson St., Kittanning
YOUR CHOICE OF:
Fried Fish Filet, Fried Fish Sandwich,
Baked Fish, or Fried Shrimp
Baked Potato, French Fries or
Homemade Mac & Cheese
DINNERS INCLUDE:
Cole Slaw or Apple Sauce, Roll & Butter,
Beverage & Dessert
Take-Outs
Available!
Every Friday during Lent
March 3 - April 7
St. Mary/St. Gabriel Hall, Yatesboro
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
MENU
Baked or Fried Fish, Seafood Platter, Fried
Clams, Fried Shrimp.
Baked Potato or French Fries,
Cole Slaw, Bread, Coffee, Tea or Beverage.
Desserts extra.
The cost is $9.00 for Adults
and $4.50 for children under 12.
Takeout dinners available ~ Call 724-783-6895
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
How to Find Time
in the Day
for Lent
The fast pace of your life may seem to leave little time
and energy for the traditional Lenten practices. But you
can weave moments of spiritual awareness and service
into even the busiest of schedules. The trick is to see Lenten
practice as part of, rather than in addition to, each activity
of your ordinary hectic day.
The three foundational practices of Lent are prayer,
fasting, and almsgiving. Here’s how to think about them
in a new way:
Praying Daily
If you make a habit of saying a little prayer whenever
someone irritates you, cuts you off in traffic, or makes life
difficult; when someone does you a favor, you experience
great and friendly service, or when something joyful
happens to you - you will soon find yourself praying your
way through the day. Try this simple practice and you will
be observing the Catholic Church’s call for greater prayer
during the Lenten season. You will also find that this habit
makes your life flow smoother, your self more centered,
and your Spirit more aware of God’s presence.
February 26, 2017
Penitential Disciplines of Lent
In addition to choosing their own penitential practices,
Catholics are asked to observe the practices of fast and
abstinence during the 40 days of Lent. The Lenten Fast and
Abstinence Regulations are as follows:
 Catholics in good health ages 18 to 59 are required to
fast and to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday.
 Fasting consists of eating only one full meatless meal,
with the possibility of two smaller snacks that do not
add up to a single full meal.
 Catholics age 14 and older are to abstain from meat
on all Fridays in Lent.
 When health or ability to work would be seriously
affected, the law does not oblige. However, Catholics
should not lightly excuse themselves from these
prescribed minimal penitential practices.
A Different Type of Fasting
There are many ways to fast. Why not fast from criticism,
gossip, judging others, or passing on rumors? Why not
abstain from unwarranted fear and anxiety? You can also
tell that inner voice inside your head that criticizes you to
abstain from eroding your ability to be the confident,
blessed person God calls you to be. These are beautiful
ways to observe the Lenten call to fasting and abstinence.
Give of Yourself
Daily life also offers countless opportunities to give of
yourself to others (alms), and most don’t involve dipping
into your wallet. Give encouragement to the doubting,
give a word of praise to the insecure, show kindness to
someone who could use a friend, and offer a word of
thanks to those whose service of others often goes
unappreciated. Give the gift of your attention to someone
who simply wants to be noticed. Tell your children stories
about people whose values you admire when you gather
at mealtime. Don’t be stingy with your smiles - give them
freely to everyone you meet. And most important, give
your love to those close to you. Hug them, hold them, and
tell them what they mean to you. In this way you open
your heart to God and others.
So no matter how busy your are in life, with some greater
awareness and new perspectives you can consciously pray,
fast, and give of yourself this Lent - and you will be ready
to celebrate when a joyful dawn breaks upon you
Easter morning.
Every year, on the First Sunday of Lent, falling this
year on the weekend of March 4 & 5, the Diocese of
Greensburg conducts the Catholic Home Missions
Appeal. Here in the United States, our home mission
dioceses are unable to fund essential pastoral work
and so they struggle to serve the needs of their
communities. Right now, over 40 percent of dioceses
in the US are considered home missions. Through your
support, the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps
ease the struggle of these dioceses and form vibrant
faith communities by funding programs, such as
faith formation, seminarian formation, and lay ministry
training.
Please help strengthen the Church at home, and
prayerfully consider supporting this appeal.
Offertory Collection Report
Because of banks being closed on February 20 in observance
of Presidents’ Day, the Offertory Collection report for the
weekend of February 18 & 19 will be included in the next
week’s bulletin.
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 26, 2017
Liturgical Minister Schedule - March 1-5, 2017
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning
Date
Altar Servers
Extraordinary Ministers
Of Holy Communion
Lector
Cantor
Greeters
Ash Wednesday, March 1
8:00 a.m.
Mass with
Distribution of Ashes
12:05 p.m.
Word Service with
Distribution of Ashes
7:00 p.m.
Mass with
Distribution of Ashes
Ed Ashley
______
Brendan Boylan
Emily Kuntz
Friday, March 3
Stations of the Cross
Pete Benvenuti
Dan Lorigan
Joe Kacprowski
Jim Gaggini
______
Helen Gispanski
Debbie Johnson
Patty Swartzlander
Jay Goettler
______
Bob Ashley
Cheri Kulbacki
Dolores Croyle
Damon Formaini
Rick Kulbacki
______
12:05 p.m.………..Lector: Roseann Rybicki
7:00 p.m.…………..Led by Youth
Sat., March 4
4:00 p.m.
Brendan Boylan
Noah Shoenfelt
Christian Shuster
Bill Chemelli
Ruth Ann Colo
Debbie Johnson
Lee Walker
Anna Marie
Simensky
Sun., March 5
9:00 a.m.
Dylan Gaggini
Emily Kuntz
Nolan Turco
Sabrina Dague
Guido Formaini
Lacey Gogal
Ann Nemec
Amber Ritrosky
Mary Ellen Harnish
Ann Jones
Bertha Shankle
Choir
Anna Oberneder
Fran Bowley
Art Kemp
Loretta Kemp
St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Yatesboro
Date
Altar Servers
Extraordinary Ministers
Of Holy Communion
Lector
Cantor
Greeters
Ash Wednesday, March 1
12:00 Noon
Mass with
Distribution of Ashes
7:00 p.m.
Mass with
Distribution of Ashes
Manny Wolfe
Kathy Chobody (T)
Helen Gardner
Mary Ellen Wilkinson
Tony Bernardi
______
Frank Palilla
Delores Palilla
Kyleigh Odosso
Natalee Sims
Jeanne Levri (T)
Bob Skamai
JoAnn Clopp
Kathy Renosky
Rick Wranich
Rich Palilla
______
Ray Kaplon
Sandy Kaplon
Thursday, March 2
Stations of the Cross at 6:30 p.m.
Sat., March 4
6:00 p.m.
Sun., March 5
11:00 a.m.
Servers: Sarah Harkleroad, Brayden Harkleroad, Carlie Harkleroad
Leaders: Parish Youth (Grades 6-12)
Alyssa Lybarger
Derek Lybarger
JoAnn Clopp (T)
Kathy Chobody
Patty DiMaio
Cheryl Rocco
Tami Bernot
Joanne Mohney
Joyce Boggio
Sam Skamai
Mason Bowser
Rick Wranich (T)
Jeanne Levri
Betty Rose Walker
Anna Skamai
Kevin Foster
Marlene Buffone
Tami Bernot
Chuck Spence
Sunday, February 26, 2017 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The price is wrong
Prosperity theology, sometimes called the
prosperity gospel, is the notion that believers who confess their faith and are generous
with tithes and offerings will in turn be
rewarded generously by God with material
riches. Most popular in Pentecostal traditions, it can be heard on some or another
television station every hour of the day and
night. Be wary of any teaching that disguises the love of riches behind the veil of
such teachings. Jesus warned us that we can
only serve one master. Ask yourself which
it will be—the love of money or the love of
God—around which you will center your life.
Today’s readings: Isaiah 49:14-15; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34 (82). “No one can serve two masters . . . . You cannot
serve God and wealth.”
Monday, February 27
The Ten Commandments count
“The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice,” a church
sign stated. Admittedly we sometimes do pick and choose among
them. But most of the time it may be that we just haven’t thought
through how they apply to our own lived experience. Here’s one
way to rediscover the Commandments and be more conscious of
living them. Create a chart with four columns. In the first, list the
Ten Commandments. In the second, write something from Jesus’
life and teaching that relates directly or indirectly to that Commandment. In the third, prayerfully write your own paraphrase of
the Commandment. In the fourth, list specific ways that you can
incorporate the spirit of the Commandment into your daily life.
Today’s readings: Sirach 17:20-24; Mark 10:17-27 (347). “Good
Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Tuesday, February 28
Give your body a rest
“Carnival” ends today, and tomorrow our time of attentiveness
to spiritual matters begins. Being in the world of the senses, and
then stepping back for a time through a bit of denial, is part of the
process of deepening our spiritual identity in the world. Flesh and
spirit are essential elements in Christian discipleship, as are justice
and mercy and intimacy and awe. Knowing how to appropriately
weave these elements in our daily lives is the role of wisdom. Use
Lent as a time to give your full attention to prayer, spiritual reading, and devotional practices. Ultimately your body and soul will
be the stronger and wiser for it.
Today’s readings: Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31 (348). “But
many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Wednesday, March 1
Ash Wednesday; day of fast and abstinence
Out and about
With the beginning of Lent we might tend to look inward, to
focus on prayer and repentance, on resetting our interior compass
in a more God-ward direction. But the three traditional practices
of Lent—prayer, fasting, almsgiving (which work all year round,
by the way)—point us outward as much as
inward. We pray for both ourselves and others. We fast to clear our lives of what prevents us from seeing God in others and the
world. And we learn to show more generosity to those around us. So this year don’t let
yourself get Lenten cabin fever. Practice also
in the world.
T oday ’ s readings : Joel 2:12-18; 2
Corinthians 5:20—6:2; Matthew 6:16, 16-18 (219). “We are ambassadors for
Christ, since God is making his appeal
through us.”
Thursday, March 2 Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Make the right choice
Choosing life over death seems like a no-brainer—instinctive,
natural, wholesome. Yet our culture, with its emphasis on escaping pain at all costs, can easily lead us to emotional, spiritual, and
even physical death: Don’t want to face the humiliation of asking
for forgiveness? Cut off your relationship with a loved one. Don’t
want to be hurt by anyone? Close the door on intimacy. Don’t
want to feel the pain of loss, confusion, or failure? Numb yourself
with alcohol or drugs. Our faith offers a different strategy. It’s
called love. Try loving yourself, others, and God just a little bit
more to get you past the pain.
Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25 (220).
“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then.”
Friday, March 3 Memorial of Katharine Drexel, virgin
Hold nothing back
What would you sacrifice to keep a good thing going? After 125
years serving Catholics of color, the Blessed Sacrament Sisters,
founded by Katharine Drexel, put their motherhouse near Philadelphia up for sale a few years ago in order to dedicate more funds
to ministry. Drexel, the “Millionaire Nun,” would have approved.
She herself gave away a fortune to educate struggling communities
few Americans cared about. A white woman of privilege, Drexel
used pencils to the nub and wrote on the backs of envelopes to save
precious resources for land, schools, and teachers. Fast today and
support the liberation of the disenfranchised with an education.
Today’s readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15 (221).
“Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard
on high!”
Saturday, March 4 Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Family is the treasure behind family income
While for most Americans, working has as its goal the creation
of a stable home, it can become a hindrance to people’s coming
together as a family. Is making money more important than the
family life the income is meant to support? With the high cost of
living in America today, the majority of families find two incomes
are needed simply to stay afloat, but how can we make sure the
family stays front and center? We are called by the prophet Isaiah
to be rebuilders of our household. That, of course, begins at home.
Bring the family together whenever possible.
Today’s readings: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32 (222). “ ‘Repairer of the breach,’ they shall call you, ‘Restorer of ruined homesteads.’ ”
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time.
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copyright. Noncommercial reprints permitted with the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible Revised Edition.