EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 26 February 2017
WELCOME PATRICIA ‘ PATTI ’ A . NEAL We welcome Patricia ‘ Patti ’ A . Neal as our new Director of Music . Patti has been the director of Music , totaling almost thirty years , at the Co-Cathedral of St . Thomas More in Tallahassee , Florida , St . Augustine Catholic Church , Des Moines , Iowa and most recently at St . James Major , New Orleans . She obtained Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Masters in Social Work , both from Florida State University . Proficient in choral conducting and vocal technique , she is ably qualified to assume her new responsibility as our Director of Music . She is married to Dr . Thomas J . Neal , academic dean at Notre Dame Seminary , New Orleans and Mom to Michael ( 19 ), Nicholas ( 17 ), Maria ( 16 ) and Catherine ( 13 ) Neal . She and her family reside in St . Clement of Rome Parish , Metairie .
Patti is familiar with a vast repertoire of music and can select from contemporary sources as well as from our treasured heritage of sacred music . We are blessed in having her as our Director of Music . We pray that she will have a fulfilling ministry here among us . Patti will assume her responsibilities on May 1st . She will be introduced at all Masses next week , March 4 / 5 .
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR ASH WEDNESDAY Mass at 6:15 a . m ., 9:00 a . m . and 6:00 p . m . Word Service at 12:00 Noon Ashes will be distributed at all these services . Sacrament of Reconciliation : 5:00 – 5:30 p . m .
ASH WEDNESDAY BLESSING AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES The blessing and imposition of ashes takes place only on Ash Wednesday , ordinarily during the celebration of the Eucharist . If the Eucharist is not celebrated , the blessing and distribution is to take place within the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word .
Lent : An Invitation to Renewal and New Life
This weekend , our bulletin will include an insert , Lent : An Invitation to Renewal and New Life . It lists opportunities for Prayer , Fasting , and Almsgiving to assist you on your journey to spiritual growth and new life . You are encouraged to participate in some of these Lenten opportunities .
LENTEN SEASON GUIDELINES
Fasting and Abstinence
Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59 . Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal . Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to each one ’ s needs , but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted . Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday , Good Friday and on all Fridays of Lent . The determination of certain days as obligatory days of penance should not be understood as limiting the occasions for Christian penance .
Maintaining the Spirit of the Season of Lent
The Spirit of the season of Lent should be maintained throughout the weeks of Lent . The obligation to observe penitential days of the Church is a very important part of our spiritual life . Individual circumstances must be taken into account , but in general , people should seek to do more rather than less , since fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimal response to the Lord ’ s call to penance and conversion of life .
Preparing our Church for Lent
On Monday , February 27 th , following the 9:00 a . m . Mass , we will be preparing the Church for Lent . We welcome any help you can provide .
Stations of the Cross Each Friday , during Lent @ 7:00 p . m . ( CH )
FURTHERING OUR MISSION
♦ SECURING OUR FUTURE Progress Report
Current Financial Status : Amount Pledged : $ 2,204,020.80 . Amount Collected : $ 1,744,102.45 .
Families who have Pledged : 581
REQUEST FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERIES
We are in need of Liturgical Ministers , particularly Ministers of Hospitality , Eucharistic Ministers , Lectors and Choir Members . Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors are required to attend an Archdiocesan Workshop . Ministers of Hospitality will be given an orientation before they assume their ministry . Prospective Choir Members ’ names will be passed along to our Director of Music . You are asked to give prayerful consideration to committing to just one of these ministries . Interested persons may call the Parish Office ( 887-5535 ) or fill out the yellow sheet at the back of church and hand it to one of our priests or deacons .
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