March 9, 2007

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Well the weather controlled the weekend in our neck of the woods. On Friday evening I drove to Bath for our first of two Lenten Reconciliation Services. I got there early to assure that the walks and steps were shoveled and salted, but it was all for naught. Only our priests, organist, and two individuals risked the snow and ice storm to attend. Everyone agreed that we could make it to next Saturday's scheduled Reconciliation Service without placing our immortal souls in serious risk.

On Saturday morning, we also postponed a retreat for the ten children preparing for First Reconciliation, but our teens did arrive at 2 p.m. for their overnight retreat. There gathering included prayer, skits on the parables, viewing of the film "Evan Almighty" and discussing "Acts of Random Kindness." The retreat ended with the teens filling the liturgical ministry roles at our 9 a.m. Sunday Mass.

It was a preaching weekend for me and the gospel story of the Raising of Lazarus is the scripture that has most touched my spirit. I am attaching my homily - I Believe in Resurrection.

Please add to your prayers my wonderful priest Father Peter Anglaaere whose great uncle and mentor Peter Poreku Cardinal Dery passed to eternal life last week in Ghana. Cardinal Dery was a priest for 51 years and a bishop since 1960. He was the Archbishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Tamale. Cardinal Dery was responsible in large part for the bringing of Catholicism to Northern Ghana. Father Peter hopes to return to Ghana for Cardinal Dery's funeral which will take place after Easter.

God's blessings to you and those you love!

This week's Column: March 9, 2008 - Lenten Prayer and Action

At the beginning of Advent, Bishop Clark announced a new diocesan initiative that would begin with Lent, 2008. Spirit Alive! is a three year program of spiritual renewal for the entire Diocese of Rochester. The focus during the first phase is the deepening of our personal relationships with Jesus. Of course, deepening any relationship involves taking time, and time is a commodity that many people feel they have less and less of! So, what’s busy person to do?

The organizers of Spirit Alive! have several suggestions to offer us.

* If you feel you have no time, perhaps you can simply start each day with a prayer on your lips: “Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of this day!”

* If you have young children, bless them before they run through the door to their next activity, or as you say goodnight.

* Before you gobble up a meal – even a meal on the run – take a moment to say grace, alone or aloud with your dining companions.

If you do have a little time to give to the effort of deepening your relationship with the Lord, and have become lax in the practice of your faith . . .

* Make the commitment to attend Sunday Eucharist every week throughout the Lenten and Easter seasons, even if you have to do quite a bit of juggling to open a regular slot in your schedule.

* If that is already your routine, maybe for the season, you can make it a point to attend one of our weekday Masses or Communion Services. A little effort can go a long way!

* In the car on the way home from church, start a discussion about what insight you may have gained from the homily or our gathering that day. Give each family member the opportunity to share what they particularly struck them at Mass.

* If you are fortunate enough to have the luxury of time, make daily scripture reading your goal for the remainder of Lent.

* Or consider making a weekend retreat – I’ll be glad to provide you with some options for such. Just call, e-mail me (rdefendorf@dor.org).

* Begin to keep a prayer journal where you can write your reflections about how you are growing in relationship to God.

Other ideas can be found on the Spirit Alive! website, where you may also read more about the three-year initiative. www.rochesterspiritalive.org

LENTEN RECONCILIATION

During Lent, we have added several opportunities for you to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation both individually and communally. Individual confessions are heard on Lenten Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. (except on March 15 and Holy Saturday). Our first Communal Reconciliation Service took place on Friday evening. But, for your convenience, another Lenten Reconciliation is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 2:30 p.m.

LENTEN MINI-RETREAT

Next Saturday, March 15 from noon to 2 p.m. our parish will hold a mini-retreat featuring a video recorded recently by Bishop Matthew Clark. If you wish, finish the retreat with Reconciliation at 2:30 p.m. and the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m.

ECUMENICAL SEDER SUPPER

For many years, St. Mary’s has biannually celebrated Palm Sunday with a traditional Jewish Seder Supper. At this ritual meal families gather around the table on the night of Passover to read the Haggadah, the story of the Israelite exodus from Egypt. Seder customs include drinking of four cups of wine, eating matzo and partaking of symbolic foods placed on the Passover Seder Plate.

In the Christian tradition, the Seder recalls Jesus’ last Passover meal during which he took the matzo and wine, blessed it and told them that this was His “body and blood” and that whenever we “eat this bread and drink this cup” we should remember Him.

This Palm Sunday afternoon, we will celebrate the Seder with Christians of several area churches at the new Bath Fire Hall. The ritual Seder with samplings of the symbolic foods, scripture and songs used at the traditional Jewish Passover meal will begin at 3:00 p.m. Following the Seder, we will enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread prepared by our own Mary Fawcett and served by young people from St. Mary’s and other churches. While there is no charge for the Seder, a love offering will received to cover expenses. Please call the office by Friday to reserve a place for you and your family.

YOUTH ON RETREAT

This was a busy weekend for parish young people. On Saturday morning ten children gathered with their parents for a First Reconciliation Retreat and the reception of the Sacrament.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, our Junior and Senior High youth arrived for an overnight retreat which includes prayer, sharing and a viewing and discussion of the film Evan Almighty. The Teen retreat will conclude with the 9:00 a.m. Mass.

So, we’ve tried to start the Spirit Alive journey with something to help every age group grow spiritually during Lent 2008.

Have a good Lenten Week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: March 9th, 2008

5ALent - I Believe in Ressurection