4th Sunday of Lent - March 31, 2019
THIS WEEK’S REFLECTION
Coming to Your Senses
Coming to his senses he thought, “How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.’” Lk. 15:17-19
Why do we cling to our sins? This passage comes from the story of the Prodigal Son. We should know that story well. The sondecided to leave his father and take his future inheritance, spending it on a life of sin. When the money he had ran out, he was in desperate need. So what did he do? He came to his senses!
This line alone is worth our meditation. First, it reveals what happens to a person who falls into a life of sin. In this case, the son eventually reaped the fruit of his sin. He found that his sin left him destitute and alone. He didn’t know where to turn. And though our sins may not be to the extent of this son, we will all experience the empty effects of the sins we commit, just as this son did.
The profound insight we can gain from this son is that he did come around. Specifically, by “coming to his senses” he recognized two important things. First, he realized that he is worth more than a life of destitution. No one should have to live an impoverished and empty life. Therefore, by seeing his own dignity he came to realize that he was made for more.
Secondly, he knew he could turn to his father. What a blessing it was for him to know this. The reason he knew he could turn to his father was that his father clearly loved him with an unconditional love. The mercy in the heart of the father was so strong that the son was aware of it and this awareness gave him confidence to turn to him.
Reflect, today, upon this twofold action. The son sees his misery and also sees his father as the person to whom he can confidently turn. We must strive to do the same in our own lives. The Father in Heaven will never reject us. No matter what we have done or how far we have turned away, the Father’s love is perfect, relentless, unconditional and always inviting. He is ready and willing to dismiss every wrong we have done if we only turn to Him in confidence. Come to your senses in regard to your sins! Let go of them, repent and trust in the mercy of God.
MyCathloicLife.com
LENT
We invite you to break bread and join us for our Soup and Scripture Lenten Program Wednesday evenings 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm with presentations from Special Guest Speakers beginning at 7:00 pm:
Apr. 3 Fr. Joe Muth
Apr.10 Dr. Kirk Gaddy, PhD.
Our journey will focus on the theme, “Welcoming The Stranger”. All are welcome to take this Lenten Journey with us.
Devotional Materials. A Lenten prayer book “The Word Among Us” offers scripture readings, prayer and action for each day of Lent. We invite you to take a copy for you and your family.
Fast and Abstinence. As a communal witness to our Lenten penance we are asked to abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent and to eat only one full meal on Good Friday.
MINISTERS' RETREAT
Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers (Ministers of Hospitality) are cordially invited to the "Annual Ministers Retreat" for our Pastorate hosted by St. Francis Xavier Church, 1501 E. Oliver Street, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (preceded with a continental breakfast and fellowship) this Saturday, April 6, 2019. The cost is $12 and includes breakfast, lunch and materials.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Pastoral Council meets this Tuesday, April 2 in the Anchorage at 6:30 pm. All members are encouraged to attend.
COMMUNITY FUN DAY
The Latino Racial Justice Circle invites us to the 2nd Annual Community Fun Day, this Saturday April 6, 1 pm – 3 pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 600 Conkling Street, Baltimore, 21224. There will be FREE food, games, children's books, music, raffle prizes, silent auction & more! Toiletries will be collected for Assis House.
ST. ANN’S CHOIR CONCERT
Save the Date for Saturday, April 27th 7:00 pm as the St. Ann’s Choir presents a Gospel Music Celebration Concert, “I Come to Magnify The Lord.” This event will be performed at St. Ann’s Church. Donations are $10. Please join us!!!
ST. ANN’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
We are gearing up for our St. Ann’s Annual Fundraising Event Friday, May 31. We will celebrate with a Shrimp and Bull Roast which features an all you can eat menu. Tickets are currently available at $60 per person. Payment plans may also be established for the purchase of your ticket. Please see Bobby Jackson and our ticket captains for tickets and information. Tickets may also be purchased in church office.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Columbus Gardens
4301 Klosterman Ave.
Baltimore, MD. 21236
8:00 pm – 12:00 am
EASTER FLOWERS
Envelopes are now available in the back of church for those who would like to remember a loved one with an Easter Flower to be placed on the altar. The offering the for Easter Flowers is $10.
CORRECTION TO EASTER SCHEDULE
Please take note in the Easter Schedule. On Good Friday, April 19, St. Ann’s will have Stations of the Cross beginning at 12:00 noon immediately followed by a Presentation of the Seven Last Words with a special line up of guest speakers. A revised copy of the schedule has been placed in this week’s bulletin
ROBERTA’S HOUSE
Roberta’s House Family Grief Support Center, provides free services to bereaved children, teens and adults. As you may know the Center was founded by Annette March Grier and named in loving memory of her mother, Julia Roberta March, who spent her life in loving service to bereaved families with a special love and concern for children. We have been presented with another opportunity to help support Robert’s House and their mission of Greif awareness as we take up a special collection next Sunday, April 7 for the “Healing Hearts & Minds” Campaign. Please visit www.RobertasHouse.org for more information.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please also continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Msgr. Lloyd Aiken (Sacred Heart Glyndon), Cornelia Bailey, Florence Barber, James Butts, Elaine Cousin, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Tom Lutz, Josephine McCoy, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, Rita Watkins and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
MARCH/APRIL 2019
Sun., Mar.31 4th Sunday of Lent
11 am Mass
Sunday School 9:30 am
2nd Floor Youth Room
Adult Bible Study after Mass
Anchorage
Tues., Apr.2 Pastoral Council Meeting
Anchorage, 6:30 pm
Wed., Apr.3 Soup and Scripture
Special Guest Speaker
Fr. Joe Muth
6:30 pm, Anchorage
Thurs., Mar.28 Evening Mass 7pm
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Isaiah 43:16-21
2nd Reading Philippians 3:8-14
Gospel John 8:1-11