The Second Sunday of Lent

February 24, 2013

Lent: Change and Renewal

(Sr. Melanie Svoboda, SND) When we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, we may hear these words: Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel. The phrase turn away implies a change. Lent is a time for change, but it is also a time for renewal. And change and renewal are not necessarily synonymous. For me change has to do with exterior things, whereas renewal with interiority. Change pertains to behaviors modified or adapted, whereas renewal considers the motivations that produce that behavior. From these motivations flow our Lenten practices. A few examples might help. Lets say Im a complainera behavior Id like to change. I can begin by asking, What makes me complain so much? Maybe Ive become blind to the blessings in my life. Im taking things and people for granted. If so, my Lenten practice could be to become more aware of all my blessings, to name them, and to thank God for specific ones each day in Lent. Or maybe I complain because Im just too tired. Then my Lenten practice might be to go to bed 30 minutes earlier each night. Or maybe I complain because Im out of touch with individuals who have far less than I have. Might I volunteer to do something to help ease anothers painrather than complain about my own? Or maybe Im very impatient. Im always in a huff whether Im driving, working on a project, cooking, or waiting for someone. The underlying motivation could be: I pride myself on how many things I can get done. Being efficient means a lot to me. My Lenten practice could be to intentionally slow down: to walk slower, talk slower, eat slower, and drive the speed limit. There are more important things in life than speed and efficiencylike people and relationships! My Lenten practice could also be to make more time for relationshipstime to play with a child, tease my spouse, compliment a stranger, thank a former teacher, phone an elderly relative, or treat a friend to lunch. Or maybe Im not praying. Why? I dont have time. Its boring. I dont know what to say. Im afraid of God. Im mad at God. I dont believe God is interested in me. Take your pickthen choose a practice such as this: set aside 15 minutes each morning (day or evening) and tell God honestly how Im feeling and what Im thinking. Then humbly ask God for what I think I need. Or I can read the scripture for each day and look for one word, line, or phrase that speaks to me. Or I can pray the rosary or one of the psalms each day. Or I can just begin by telling Jesus Id really like to know him better. Please help me! Our Lenten practice, rather than being merely an act of self-denial, actually becomes an act of love something Im doing for God, for others, and even for myself! This understanding of change and renewal can help us get at the root of behaviors that dont reflect the mind or heart of Jesus, and to embrace the challenge of making Jesus real in our particular time and place, with our personality, gifts, responsibilities, and limitations. So as we embark on our Lenten journey, let us ask ourselves: (1) what behavior of mine would I like to change or modify this Lent? (2) What motivates me to behave in that way? (3) What practices might move me toward real renewal? Lent affords us 40 days to begin that renewal process. Happy renewal!

Poverty Supper
St. Monica`s Faith & Justice Committee invites everyone to join them for a Lenten poverty supper and screening of the documentary film An Invisible People (the indigenous people of Quebec). This event will take place on Friday, March 1st at 6:00 PM in the parish hall.

Mass Intentions: February 24 March 3, 2013

February 23, 2013 4:00 Antonio Bei February 24, 2013 8:30 11:00 Saturday, St. Polycarp His Wife Gabriella & Family The Second Sunday of Lent Ida & Family

Adult Faith Enrichment

Upcoming events Twilight RETREAT Practical Simplicity Animated by Deacon Richard Boileau Please note that this retreat originally scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2013, from 6 to 9 PM has been cancelled. VIDEO DIVINA Fr. Raymond will present the movie CHOCOLAT on Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectory. Join him for this inspirational movie, followed by stimulating discussion. Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Anna at the office.

8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00

4:00

8:30 11:00

Mr. & Mrs. Gianbattista Onesi In Loving Memory Fioravante Rotiroti, Mickie Laughlin, Leona Clarke, Derek Menzies February 25, 2013 Monday,Lenten Weekday Rita & Frank Walsh The Family February 26, 2013 Tuesday, Lenten Weekday Susana Leon Elcida Leon February 27, 2013 Wednesday, Lenten Weekday Luigi Paliotti The Paliotti Family February 28, 2013 Thursday, Lenten Weekday Biagio & Antonietta Luisa & Angelo Falcone Libertini & Italo Falcone March 1, 2013 First Friday Giuseppina, Flora, Sorella Maria Emidio & Domenica Matalucci March 2, 2013 First Saturday In Loving Memory Mike Kilbertus, Dorothy Moore, The Deceased Members of the Charles J. McDonald Family, Lucille Wong, Gerry McLaughlin and the Mother of Richard Ng Yun Wing March 3, 2013 The Third Sunday of Lent Vincenzo, Antonio & Concetta LaPosta Mariana LaPosta Rosolino, Chiara & Luigi Maria & Family Sparapani

Development & Peace Share Lent Campaign, Human Dignity

What is human dignity? It is the right to live without the threat of hunger, it is the right to fair working conditions, it is the right to live on your own land, and it is the right of women to be deemed equal in all areas of society. D & P along with its 250 partners in 33 countries work to implement these rights.

FAITH FIRST/LITTLE GIFTS SPRING BREAK Our Faith First and Little Gifts programs are now on spring break. Faith First classes will resume on the weekend of March 16/17. Little Gifts (Sunday) will begin again on March 24.

Your Generosity
Thank you for your on-going support of our parish

Last Sundays collection was $2,795.85

Caring, Not Killing

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, and the Quebec-based Physicians Alliance Initiative for the Total Refusal of Euthanasia are asking Quebec citizens to show support for the Physicians Alliance declaration, Caring, Not Killing. This Declaration by a group of Quebec physicians firmly opposes the implementation of euthanasia or doctor-assisted suicide in Quebec. You are invited to show support for the Quebec Physicians Declaration against Euthanasia by completing a short form indicating your endorsement of their position. Copies of the form and the declaration, Caring Not Killing, will be available at the tables at the back of the Church after next weekends Masses .