St. Joseph & Most Pure Heart of Mary ParishesMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

EASTER BULLETIN DEADLINE: Friday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.

SENIOR CITIZEN PROM "A NIGHT ON BROADWAY"

Sunday, March 20 Shelby St. Mary's School Gym

(26 West St. Shelby, OH) Cost is free, casual dress

For anyone 60+ and their guest.

3:00 p.m. doors open3:15 p.m. Entertainment

4:30 p.m. Dinner of Salad, Turkey Gravy Casserole, green beans, roll and dessert.

To register by March 15, or for more informationcontact Sheila at St. Francis 419-935-1149 orcre@willard-oh.com

My Dear Friends of St. Joseph and Most Pure Heart of Mary Parishes,

We wanted to give a special thank you foreveryone who came to support our family.It means so much, we’re so very blessed!Adam is doing a fast recovery since Sept.5. He is so determined, motivated andpositive. Once again, thank you everyone!

Sincerely, The Carman Family

To date, we have collected approximately $8,000 for the fam-ily! What a testament of giving to those who are in need!Thank you from Dcn. Fred & Sherry for your show of supportfor us and for our family! Thanks again from the bottom ofour hearts!

Sacrament of Reconciliation Times During Lent

Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. at MPHM Fridays, 8:00 p.m.

(following Stations of the Cross) at MPHMSaturdays, 3:45 p.m. at MPHM

Sundays, 7:30 a.m. at St. Joseph

During this political season I cannot turn on the TV or the computer without hearing possiblefuture presidents calling each other names. It is as if we have to choose the least-worst demon torun our country for the next four years. All campaigns can get ugly, but at least in my lifetime, thisseems to be the ugliest. Many of our citizens have also become polarized from one another; eachcalling the other the true sinner.

Perhaps we have forgotten that we are all sinners. Wouldn’t it be nice if we dummied downthe rhetoric against those who disagree with our politics or religion? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if wetook time to politely discuss issues that affect our country and church? And what about our world:Are we so afraid of aliens from another land that we’d rather selfishly build walls instead of bridges?Even in our own families: Have we condemned relatives and not talked to them because of somepast slight? We sin. We need to acknowledge our need to reconcile and humbly let go of aggres-sion! Only Christ can enable us to do this.

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus takes a ‘time out’. He allows the self-righteous to thinkabout their own tendency to sin. He allows them the opportunity to put down their rocks and let goof their hate. He empowers them to do the significant act of forgiving and giving another sinneranother chance. We must do the same thing.

Next weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday. Please seize this feast as an opportunity to putyour faith into action. Please allow your savior to joyfully enter into your life knowing that you havelet go of the aggression and name-calling that at times seems to permeate our society. Let yourpalm signify your determination to let go of the power of sin over your life.

Keep God close!

– Fr. Jim

St. Joseph & Most Pure Heart of Mary ParishesMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Liturgical CalendarMonday, March 149:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word & Communion at MPHM (Parish Office)Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62; Psalm 23:1-6; John 8:12-20

Tuesday, March 158:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph9:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word & Communion at MPHM (Parish Office)Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3,16-21; John 8:21-30

Wednesday, March 169:00 a.m. Mass at MPHM (McFadden Hall)

Prayers for Steve & Gaylee KorbasDaniel 3:14-20,91-92,95; Daniel 3:52-56; John 8:31-42

Thursday, March 179:00 a.m. Mass at MPHM (Parish Office)

Prayers for Virginia Swanger6:00 p.m. Holy Hour (Parish Office)Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm 105:4-9; John 8:51-59

Friday, March 189:00 a.m. Mass at MPHM (Parish Office)

Prayers for David Riehl12:00 p.m. Performance of Living Stations at MPHM Church7:00 p.m. Performance of Living Stations at MPHM Church7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph8:00 p.m. Reconciliation at MPHMJeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18:2-7; John 10:31-42

Saturday, March 19--Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of theBlessed Virgin Mary5:00 p.m. Mass at MPHM

Prayers for Carol Young, Marlene Yetzer, Deceased Members of Henry & Rose Biglin Family

2Samuel 7:4-5a,12-14a,16; Psalm 89:2-5,27,29; Romans 4:13,16-8,22; Matthew 1:16,18-21,24a

Sunday, March 20--Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion7:30 a.m. Reconciliation at St. Joseph8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph

Prayers for Rosemary Miller10:30 a.m. Mass at MPHM

Prayers for Kenneth & Eleanor Takos, The Arcudi Family, Hank & Mary Hohler & Family

Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

Sponsor of the Week

Cosam Contracting419-492-2201

Youth Ministry News

This Sunday, March 13th

we will have a regularly sched-uled SLAM from 7:00-8:30 in

the youth room.Youth Praise Team practices this Wednes-

day, March 16th from 6:00-6:45 p.m. in theschool music room! All 7th grade-college sen-iors are welcome!

Deeper continues this Wednesday, March16th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the youth room forhigh schoolers! Bring some quarters for good-ies! The youth room will be open for all 7th-12th

graders from 8:30-9:00 p.m.We need your help! On Sunday, March

20th the youth of the deanery are coming to-gether to serve dinner to the senior citizens ofour communities who give so much of theirtime, talent and treasure to our parishes. Wewant to thank them for their example of faith.We will need help all afternoon. We will set upat 12:00 p.m. and serve dinner at 4:30 p.m. Wewill be all cleaned up in time to head to theYMCA at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 20th SLAM, along with theFirst Lutheran Youth Group, rented the YMCAfrom 7:00-9:00 p.m. Bring your swimming suitsand $5 to help offset the costs! They have allthe other equipment that you would want orneed. We encourage you to invite your friends!Liability release forms are avaliable at Deeper,CCD, SLAM and in the back of church!

Tuesday, March 29th we will have our HighSchool Spring Break Overnight Retreat featur-ing Disney's Inside Out. We will also have pingpong tournaments, eat lots of food and spendsome time discussing some tough topics. Joinus at 6:00 p.m. for dinner and head home afterbreakfast at 10:00 a.m. You'll need to bring $10to offset the cost of food and supplies, a snackto share, your overnight needs and any otherappropriate DVDs you would like to watch.More details are avaliable at SLAM, Deeperand in the back of church!

SLAM

Sorrowful Mother Shrine Gift Shop: The SorrowfulMother Shrine Gift Shop south of Bellevue will be closed for theEaster Tridium (Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday;March 25-27, 2016). Stop by earlier for great items for RCIA can-didates as well as special Easter gifts. You'll be glad you did!(For hours or more information call 419-483-3435 x 6.)

St. Joseph’s Parish NewsMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

SacramentsBAPTISM: Contact Deacon Fred 1 month in advance.RECONCILIATION: Sunday before Mass, 7:30 a.m.ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Notify Deacon Fred or Fr. Jim to arrange.COMMUNION: Contact Deacon Fred to be placed on the home bound lists.MARRIAGE: Please notify either Deacon Fred or Fr. Jim 6 months in advance.R.C.I.A.: Interested in the Catholic Faith? Contact the Parish office or Deacon Fred.MASS STIPENDS: St. Joseph’s always accepts Masses for the deceased and special intentions. Please call Sharon on Tuesdays

between 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. to schedule your Masses.

Sunday, March 20-- 8:30 a.m.Greeter: Louis LynchEucharist: Mary Rietschlin, Leonard FennerServers: Charlotte Smith, Ivy Smith, Cadence FairchildLector: Heather FairchildUshers: Louis Lynch, Leonard FennerMusic: St. Joseph ChoirCollection Counters: Ed Kanney, Bob Riedlinger

FINANCIAL REPORTMarch 6

Sunday Offering.........................$ 2,514.00Food Pantry ...............................$ 60.00SFX School................................$ 55.00Technology ................................$ 5.00Easter Flowers...........................$ 115.00Weekly Budget Needed

For Year 2015/16 $1,500 .....$ 769.00Year Over/Under Budget ...........- $2,855.87

Attendance: 116

Happy BirthdaYAlex Willacker, Wayne Robinson, Susan Phillips,

James Robinson, Riley Stumbo

WE ARE CALLED TO EXTEND A HAND: At theCentral American country of Honduras, students learn it’sbetter to help your neighbor learn and grow than to leavethem behind. As we throw our change in the baskets nearthe doors of our church during Lent, let us remember too andasks ourselves: To whom have we extended a hand to thisweek? Rice Bowl asks that we pray, fast, learn and give tohelp bring the message of Christ to the world.

SPAGHETTI DINNER: MARCH 13th 11:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m.: The smells of Italian are in the air! Come toMass on the 13th, stay for dinner! Spaghetti, homemade meatsauce, garlic sticks, salad, drink and dessert all for a free-willoffering. Profits benefit St. Joseph A & R helping to pay ex-penses for the liturgies.

ST. JOSEPH CHOIR PRACTICE FOREASTER will be held on March 17th at 7:00p.m. Come join us making our celebrations thisEaster full of song.

TURKEY DINNER (2015 November) Stats:We have been waiting on bills to come in, sorry for the delay!

DINNER SALES ...................................$3,047.00Expenses..........................................282.63

Net Profit ...............................................$2,764.37

Thanks to all who participated and helped make this dinnera huge success! Thank you!

St. Joseph’s Parish NewsMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS MUSTBE INTO THE OFFICE BY MARCH 13th, todayin order to be part of the Memorial Page. If youhave forgotten to turn in your envelope, contactSharon or Dcn. Fred today, so we can put yourname in the listing. Donations for flowers after this

date will not be recognized on the insert of remembrancesand memorials.

PLYMOUTH/SHILOH ECUMENICAL LENTENSERVICES: Each Lenten Service begins with a dinner at6:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. Service. Please plan tomake this Lenten journey with our fellow Christians, recog-nizing God as our Savior!Date Place HomilistMar. 16 ...First Lutheran-

Plymouth ...................Pastor John GrimmMar. 25 ...United Methodist-

Noon Shiloh...............Pastor John GrimmMar. 27 ...Easter Sunrise-

First Lutheran PlymouthMar. 27 ...Sunrise breakfast-

First Presbyterian

HAVE YOU HAD OR KNOW OF SOMEONEWHO HAS HAD A MARRIAGE GO BAD? Manyfear what they have heard about the Annulment Process andhave not perused it because of it. Or even worse, havestopped going to the Catholic Church because of it. Duringthis Jubilee Year of Mercy what a better time to reconcilewith God, getting back on track! Talk to Deacon Fred to helpclarify, iron out wrinkles, helping get things back into God’sgood graces! What a better time to reconcile with God duringthis Jubilee Year of Mercy! It’s not as bad as you’ve heardand can be a process of healing!

V Sun., Mar. 13th,Spaghetti Dinner 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.,St. Joseph

V Wed., Mar. 16th, First Lutheran Plymouth EcumenicalService, 6:00 p.m.

V Thurs., Mar. 17th, Choir Practice for Easter, 7:00 p.m.V Sun., Mar. 20th, Palm Sunday, Procession starts in hallV Tues., Mar. 22nd, Chrism Mass, Our Lady Queen of the

Most Holy Rosary, Toledo, 11:00 a.m.V Thurs., Mar. 24th, Holy Thursday, Feast of the Lord’s

Supper 7:00 p.m., MPHMV Fri., Mar. 25th, Good Friday Service, St. Joseph, 1:30 p.m.

Stations of the Cross approx. 2:30 p.m., St. JosephV Sat., Mar. 26th, Easter Vigil – 8:00 p.m. MPHMV Sun., Mar. 27th, Easter Mass – 8:30 a.m. St. Joseph Easter Mass – 10:30 a.m. MPHMV Thurs., Mar. 31st-Apr. 12th, Deacon Fred on vacation call

Shelby in case of an emergency.V Sun., Apr. 10th, A & R Meeting following Mass at St. Joseph.V Sun., Apr. 17th, FREE PARISH DINNER & MOVIE, 6:00

p.m., Fr. Conces Hall, entire parish invited (active andinactive) just come. Bring a friend! We hope to seeeveryone!

V Sun., Apr. 17th, Finance (only) Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Fr.Conces Hall

THREE PERSONS NEEDED FOR HOLYTHURSDAY’S EVENING MASS, “FEAST OFTHE LORD’S SUPPER: St. Joseph’s needs to supplythree people to have their feet washed during this Mass. If youcan donate your feet, please let Deacon Fred know. If I don’tget volunteers I will be asking individuals.

COMING, APRIL 17th, 6:00 p.m. St. Joseph Fr. Conces Hall FREE DINNER & A MOVIE FOR ALL PARISHIONERS

Just come enjoy! Bring a friend!Menu and Movie to be announced!

Mark the date now, plan on joining yourparish family for this event!

IS IT TIME to free yourself of the things you’ve tuckedaway in the back of your mind, the pain and burden. It istime to turn our failures and our sins over to God! Everyonefalls, no exceptions! Our need to ask forgiveness is up tous…God is ready to hear us! Make a good confession partof this Lenten Year of Mercy. Come back into God’s grace.The sacrament is available BEFORE SUNDAY MASS be-ginning approximately 7:30 a.m. and ending at 8:10 a.m.The Light is On. No one will question why you’ve beenaway; they will just welcome you back…take the step! Godwill be happy you did!

Most Pure Heart of Mary ParishMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

SacramentsBAPTISM: Call the Parish Office to set up an appointment.RECONCILIATION: 3:45-4:30 p.m. Saturdays, anytime by request.ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Available on request. Call the Parish Office/Rectory at 419-347-2381. Same for visitationof the sick.

COMMUNION: Contact the Pastoral Associate to be placed on the home bound lists.MARRIAGE: Arrange with a priest or deacon at least 6 months in advance.R.C.I.A.: Persons wishing to inquire about and/or joing the Catholic Church, call Parish Office.PARISH MEMBERSHIP: New parishioners--WELCOME. Please call the Parish Office to register. When changingaddress, please notify the Parish Office.

Monday, March 146:00 p.m. Noodle Making--School Kitchen7:00 p.m. Celebration Choir Practice--School

Music Room7:00 p.m. Youth Minister Meeting--Youth Room

Tuesday, March 159:00 a.m. Noodle Bagging--McFadden Hall7:00 p.m. A&R Meeting--Lower Level

Wednesday, March 169:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl--Lower Level5:30 p.m. Religious Ed. Grades 1-6--School6:00 p.m. Youth Praise--School Music Room6:30 p.m. Finance Council Meeting--Con.Room7:00 p.m. Religious Ed. Grades 7 & 8--School

Theology Room7:00 p.m. DEEPER7:00 p.m. RCIA--Lower Level7:00 p.m. Adult Choir--School Music Room

Thursday, March 176:00 p.m. Holy Hour--Lower Level7:30 p.m. Disciples of Song--School Music Room

Saturday, March 193:00 p.m. A&R Bake Sale--McFadden Hall

Sunday, March 209:30 a.m. A&R Bake Sale--McFadden Hall12:00 p.m. Senior Citizen Prom

Saturday, March 19, 5:00 p.m. MassLector: Mark SeitzServers: Oliver Wagner, Jenna Wilson, Eric WorkmanEucharistic: Kathy Combs, Don & Linda Johnson,

Jim & Marge Karl, Janet KehresUshers: Craig Studer, Mark Studer, Vincent Studer,

Chad HicksGreeters: Jeff & JoAnn Peiffer,

Robert & Kathleen SchroederMusic: Disciples of Song

Sunday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. MassLector: John GiesServers: Mary Wilkins, Cody Lantz, Adam NieseEucharist: Deanie & Todd Kehres, Casey Kerr,

Kathy Lowe, Beth Kurtzman, Scott Kurtzman, Ann Logan

Ushers: Todd & Tristan Kehres, Adam & AJ BihlGreeters: Clem & Kathy Kanney, Kathy Lowe, Casey KerrMusic: Adult Choir

Collection Counters: Julie & Roger Finnegan, Beth & Randy Terman

CEMETERY CLEAN-UP: Please haveall ground decorations off of the graves at thecemetery by April 1st. Please note this is anearlier deadline than previous years. Thankyou! Any questions please call Betty Yetzerat 419-347-2118.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA: The D of I will meet onMonday, March 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Most Pure Heart ofMary Parish Center lower level meeting room. We will behaving a potluck. Meat, rolls, beverages, and table servicewill be furnished. Please bring a dish to share. The commit-tee consists of Regine Kreim, Louise Kleman, Dolores All-wine, Luella Schiffer, and Donna Metzger, 2016 annual duesof $18 are now due.

Most Pure Heart of Mary ParishMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sunday Collections March 5 & 6, 2016: Offertory $ $ 10,856.31 Religious Education $ 87.00 Children’s $ 8.00 Initial Offering $ 10.00

Holy Days: Easter $ 465.00Holy Land & Good Friday $ 185.00

TOTAL SUNDAY AND HOLY DAY COLLECTIONS $ 11,611.31 up $2,454.37 from 2014/2015

Total Sunday and Holy Day Collections to Date $ 352,746.79 down $ 1,432.76 from 2014/2015

Other Parish Collections: Diocesan Collections:Capital Improvement $ 280.00 Catholic Relief $ 397.00Youth Ministry $ 40.00 Church in Eastern Europe $ 25.00Support Your School $ 25.00 Black & Indian $ 50.00

Easter Memorial FlowersIn Memory of:

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Donated by:

_________________________________________________

$11 donationMAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:

A&R SOCIETYMail to: Sue Lowery4461 Laser Rd., Shelby, OH 44875

DEADLINE: March 14th

2016 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEALDIOCESE OF TOLEDO

to meet the needs of our local churchThe 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal Campaign is underway.

The campaign goal is $2,800,000. Our parish has currentlypledged $11,340.00 toward our goal of $25,000.00.

We can assure the continued existence of many impor-tant programs that help tens of thousands in our Diocese eachyear; education of our seminary students, care of the sick andneedy are among them. Please respond generously whenyou are asked to make your pledge. For more information,visit the Diiocesan website at www.toledodiocese.org/page/fi-nance#_annual_catholic_appeal_aca.

Be sure to check your calendar and make plans to come tothe Palm Sunday bake sale before and after the Palm Sun-day masses. Donations of baked goods and other raffleitems will be very important for the success of this traditionalevent. The Altar and Rosary Society of Most Pure Heart ofMary Parish sponsors this activity. This organization has along tradition of providing and supporting many parish proj-ects for the church and parish community. Your continuedsupport is very much appreciated! Please consider volun-teering to help at the bake sale before or after the Masses – contact Carolyn Kaple, cell: 419-512-0876.

THEOLOGY ON TAP: The next Theol-ogy on Tap For all ages, post high school-121, will be on Thursday, March 17 at Leg-ends Sports Grill & Pub (63 W Main St,Shelby, OH 44875) 6:00 pm (Reservationmade under Theology on Tap) Speaker: Fr.

Eric Culler, Pastor of St. Francis & St. Bernard. Topic: Howthe Irish Saved the World. Food available for purchase.RSVP is appreciated by March 15, call : 419-775-9902 oremail: fatherericculler@yahoo.com

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR OLDPALMS?: Blessed Palms cannot be tossed in thegarbage. They need to be burnt. If you like you may bringyour old palms to church and place them in the boxes pro-vided by the doors or drop them off at the Parish Center

during normal business hours.

Most Pure Heart of Mary ParishMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Happy BirthdaYLynette Wagner, Kathleen Miller, Christine Lifer, ChristineClabaugh, Richard Friebel, Jan Burton, Carin Cain, MichaelMayer, Morgan Hicks, Jeanette Spangler, Julie Rolsten,Trevor Young, Brayden Gumbert, Benjamin Murray, CarleeEndicott, John Wechter, Christopher Kaple, Jason McCoy,Holly Fenner, Kayla Wagoner, Luella Spangler, PauletteStacklin, Jean Yetzer, Irene Wilson, John Martinuzzi, KevinNoel, Brittany McKinney.

War Room Bible Study begins April 4th at 9:45 a.m. andagain in the evening at 6:30 p.m. Lessons are approximately1 hr. and there are five lessons. Thanks to all who signed up.

Our next Bible study will be "Be Merciful" . Reflectionson the Spiritual & Corporal Works of Mercy. Watch bulletinfor dates, times and cost.

--Barb Pifher

WE NEED YOUR HELP: SLAM continued a project thispast weekend that was started by deanery youth on Febru-ary 14th. We held a shoe cutting party for Sole Hope. SoleHope is an organization that is helping to put shoes on everychild in Uganda. The children are getting jiggers in their feetand they can get so bad that the children can't walk. As weprepare to ship the shoes the organization asks for a $10dollar donation per pair of shoes. That money helps pay thetailor, shoemaker, supplies and to help ship them overseas.We have made at least 20 pairs of shoes but we are still cut-ting. If you are interested in helpingwith this project just mark your dona-tion for Sole Hope. Thank you so muchfor your consideration as we help toclothe the naked in this Year of Mercy.

Easter Party For: K of C members and their families.When: March 20 @ 4:00 p.m.Where: Shelby K of C HallRSVP: Roger Noel 419-295-9267 or

Amy Noel 419-565-5516

St. Mary’s 6th, 5th & 4thgrade classes invite you to their performances of

The Living StationsWith His Stripes (by Rev. Robert Haas)

Friday, March 18Two shows 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. in

MPHM church

NOODLE MAKING: Come join the fun of noodle makingfor the Palm Sunday Bake Sale. We will be making noodleson Monday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. Then bag the noodlesTuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. Angel food cake bakers arealso needed.

ALTAR & ROSARY NEWS: Our next meeting will beTuesday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. We will gather in the lowerlevel meeting room of the parish office. All ladies of theparish are welcome.

MPHM JETS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAMS

Most Pure Heart of Mary ParishMarch 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Our Parish School News

2015-16 Excel Beyond the Basics School Fund DriveOur Goal $67,500

Collected Mar. 5 & 6 $ 427.00Total Collected for 2015-16 Fund Drive $ 54,959.40 Pledged to Date $ 61,624.90

We're $5,875.10 away from meeting our pledged goal for 2015/2016 school year.

Save the Date!Did you know that the Spring Fling is coming up? Friday, April 29th the

Wild, Wild West comes to St. Mary’s School. This is a time for our parents and adult parishioners to get

to enjoy an evening of fun food and dancing!

Please come out and enjoy the event. Live auctions give you and your guests an opportunity to leave with a little more than you came with at an awesome price for an

even more awesome cause … our parish school!

Bidders

Dancers

Folks with appetites!

Folks ready for agood ol’ time!

Lenten Ref lection for the Year of MercyM E R C Y

T h e G o s p e l o f Fifth Sunday of Lent

Today’s Gospel shows us an encounter between Jesus and the scribes and

Pharisees and an encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. In essence, this Gospel is not about the woman or about her sin. It is about an encounter with Jesus.

Encountering Jesus always reveals the truth — the truth about our goodness as

well as the truth about our need for conversion, our need to let go of our sin and failings and live a

life of discipleship.

Encountering Jesus has the potential to bring about two changes: those who are quick to condemn turn away from that practice (“they went away”) and the one condemned is no longer condemned (“neither do I condemn you”).

Encountering Jesus — and our conversion because of it — has both a dying and rising. We not only recognize our sinfulness (as important as that is), but we also are empowered to begin a new life, a life of relationship with Christ, a life of living Jesus’ values and compassionate mercy.

Encountering Jesus John 8:1-11

❯ As I think about times I have encountered Jesus, how have these experiences changed me? Have they led me to growth, to conversion, to a new way of living?

❯ Because of the way I live, the way I greet and respond to others, how do I help others encounter Jesus?

❯ As I think about my favorite statue, painting, stained-glass window, or sculpture of Jesus, what does it say about my encounters with Jesus?

F O R R E F L E C T I O N

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“In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ. Our efforts are also directed to ending violations of human dignity, discrimination, and abuse in the world.... Our consciences thus need to be converted to justice, equality, simplicity, and sharing.” — Pope Francis, Lenten Message, 2014

For print use only. Copyright © by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Nihil Obstat: Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur ✠ Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

❯ Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

❯ Is there someone at whom you are tempted to “throw a stone” and judge and condemn? Instead, what might you do to share Jesus’ message with them: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more”?

The Corporal Works of

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Merciful Moments

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Faithful Family

Encountering Jesus means encountering him in all the places where he is, especially in the needy. Take a different corporal work of mercy each day and list ways that you could perform that act of mercy. Then decide on two — one as individuals, one as a family — that you will do, not just during the remaining Lenten season but throughout the year.

❯ Feed the hungry❯ Give drink to the

thirsty❯ Clothe the naked❯ Shelter the

homeless❯ Visit the imprisoned❯ Visit the sick❯ Bury the dead

s y m bo ls of th e season

FastingFasting, one of the Lenten practices, is often observed as fasting from food. It is not because our bodies need to be punished (or that we need to go on a diet). We fast to allow our physical hunger to remind us of our spiritual hunger, our need for God. We fast to remind ourselves of our baptismal commitment and need for renewal.

Second, fasting not only reminds us of our dependence on God but also on the needs of others, the hungry and the poor. Fasting is a Gospel value, but not fasting by itself. Fasting and almsgiving are Gospel twins. Our tradition of fasting has never been to purge, to deprive the body for deprivation sake, but to have more to give away.

Lenten PrayerGenerous God, you invite us to leave the past behind and to walk in newness, to walk in freedom and love, living in the way of your Son, Jesus. Empower me to let go of fear and old ways and to trust you in the new ways to which you are calling me.

CatechismCONNECTION“‘At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.’… Catechesis aims at putting ‘people … in communion … with Jesus Christ.’”

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 426