For Sunday, February 21, 2010

My Brothers and Sisters,

We have entered Lent... that forty-day annual opportunity we have to step back, reflect and change our ways so that we may more fully "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Lent is a wonderful season, because opportunities for new growth and a deepened spirituality abound!

Here at St. Theresa, we have some specific opportunities for Lenten growth that I’d like to share with you:

• Weekday Mass is celebrated at 6:30AM, Monday through Friday. Saturday morning Mass is celebrated at 8:00. On Wednesday, there is an additional Mass which includes the community of St. Theresa Catholic School. On the final Wednesday of Lent, March 31st, our seventh-grade students will present a dramatic interpretation of the Stations of the Cross (in lieu of the 8:30 Mass).
• In addition to the regular 3:30 - 4:30 Saturday afternoon schedule for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, two confessors will be available in church each Wednesday of Lent from 5:00 until 6:00PM to minister the Sacrament. As always, Confession can also be scheduled by appointment.
• "Fish and Faith" each Friday of Lent... a delicious fish dinner (including baked or fried fish) is served from 5:00-7:00PM in Father Feeney Hall. A separate children’s menu is also available. Cost for adults is $7.00, children $4.00. Then, at 7:00PM, the evening concludes with Stations of the Cross being prayed in church.
• Taizé Prayer will be prayed in church at 7:00PM on Tuesday, March 23rd. This is a monthly prayer opportunity at St. Theresa - Taizé Prayer is contemplative, ecumenical prayer based on scripture and chant. All are welcome, "Catholic or not," to share in this peaceful, meditative time.
• Our Parish Mission for Lent, led by Jesuit Father Tom Allender, will begin the weekend of March 13th and 14th as Fr. Tom preaches at all the weekend Masses. Then on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (March 15th, 16th and 17th) Fr. Tom will offer Mass at 8:30AM - followed by break and a morning session. Then, the session will be repeated in the evening at 7:00PM. The theme of Fr. Tom’s mission is "The gifts of the Holy Spirit: a Spiritual Inventory." Don’t miss this opportunity for faith renewal from one of the most popular and beloved mission presenters in the western U.S.!

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Charles G. Kieffer, V.F.
Pastor