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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
For Our Family of Parishes
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette, St. Mary's, St. Peter's
February 19
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ASH WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
What is Ash Wednesday?
The first day of Lent, its official name is “Day of Ashes”
because ashes are rubbed on one’s forehead in the sign of a cross.
Being exactly 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter Sunday,
it always fall on a Wednesday
—there cannot be an “Ash Thursday” or “Ash Monday.”
Lent is intended as a time of self-denial, moderation,
fasting, and the forsaking of sinful activities and habits.
Ash Wednesday commences this period of spiritual discipline.
It's a good thing to repent of sinful activities,
something Christians should do every day even beyond Lent.
As when we receive the ashes,
it’s a good thing to clearly identify oneself as a Christian,
and again, everyday we should so identify herself.
We know no ritual can make one’s heart right with God.
However, with a simple cross on the forehead,
we recognize that we are far from perfect,
yet God loves and redeems us
—not despite our brokenness, but in the midst of it.
Fr. Mike Schmitz points out that what ashes represent
goes far beyond mere dust of the earth:
Click the link below to watch his video about:
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ASH WEDNESDAY
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WHAT SHOULD YOU GIVE UP
FOR LENT?
When most Catholics ask
“What should I give up for Lent?”
we think of bad habits.
That's not wrong - but it typically ends up one of three ways:
We default to what we did last year.
We sail through something easy.
We slog through something hard.
There's a better approach!
Click the link below to find it out:
WHAT SHOULD YOU GIVE UP FOR LENT?
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A DIFFERENT APPROACH
If you are struggling with what to do for Lent,
perhaps just spending time with the Lord
will give you an answer.
Take your request to the Lord to learn His
desire for you this Lent.
Need help?
Download the PDF at the link below and let it walk you through
discerning your offerings this Lent.
Click the link below for a:
LENTEN PRAYER INVITATION
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AN ACHIEVABLE PLAN FOR PRAYER
Fitting real prayer amid
our daily duties
is difficult
and many of us don’t know
what it means to meditate on God’s Presence.
Fortunately, Fr. Timothy Gallagher
is back with more incredible and practical advice for meeting God in our own lives.
He and the dynamic Chris Stefanick discuss this achievable plan!
Click below to watch:
AN ACHIEVABLE PRAYER PLAN
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ETERNAL REST
Do we reflect on how to understand and prepare for death?
We all have very real questions about death.
What happens when we die?
What does Scripture teach about death?
How do we prepare for the life to come?
Explore the mystery of death, dying, everlasting life—the last things:
in Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well
through Augustine Institute's Eternal Rest, a new four-part film series.
Learn the Church’s teaching about
death and God’s response to it
with wisdom and truth, gentleness and compassion.
Click below to watch a trailer for:
THE ART OF DYING WELL
Click below to see how to order an:
ETERNAL REST STUDY GUIDE
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REFLECTION
ON
DEATH, HEAVEN AND HOME
Pope Benedict XVI’s ideas
about death, Heaven, and home,
are found in a reflection
as an answer to a little girl’s question.
He compares heaven to his own childhood:
the ordinary but extraordinary
happiness and love that exists within families.
It's a nice reminder of how we can strive to shape our own imperfect homes.
Click on the link below to read:
BENEDICT'S REFLECTION ON GOING HOME
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DO ALL GOOD PEOPLE
GO TO HEAVEN?
Good people go to heaven when they die, right?
Well, according to the Gospels, not exactly.
Fr. Mike Schmitz points to at least four things
Christ says we need for salvation:
1. Baptism (John 3)
2. The Eucharist (John 6)
3. Faith (Romans 10:9)
4. Doing the Father’s will (Matthew 25:31-46)
None of those are “be a good person”; and it’s probably better that way because,
especially today,
everyone has a different idea of what is good.
Click below to watch Fr. Mike Schmitz explain:
DO ALL GOOD PEOPLE GO TO HEAVEN?
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PRAY MORE
LENTEN RETREAT!!!
This online retreat helps you spend
more time in prayer this Lent
to prepare for the commemoration of our
Lord's Passion, Death and
Resurrection at Easter.
Sign up for the retreat and receive:
+ 19 Video & Audio Presentations with Transcripts
+ 19 Reflective Study Guides - one for each talk
We know how busy you are!!
That's why the retreat is self-paced;
...that means you can watch, listen or read the presentations
whenever you have the time to do it.
Click the link below to see the topics and to sign up for the:
PRAY MORE ONLINE RETREAT
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Here! in Cincinnati - with incredible speakers!
If you've never been to one,
this is THE year to go!!
WHEN: March 25th, 2023
WHERE: at Cintas Center on Xavier's Campus in Cincinnati
We encourage every man in our family of parishes to attend!
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Join other men - traveling from across the country to be here!
Inspirational speakers, fellowship, networking and spiritual growth.
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Ladies, there are no better gifts
for the men in your life than opportunities to grow in their Faith!
Consider for Valentine's Day - A ticket to a day with men
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Featured Power Speakers include:
Jonathan Roumie
actor playing Jesus in The Chosen series
Father Robert Spitzer
from EWTN
Archduke of Austria Christian Habsburg-Lorraine.
Grandson of Blessed Karl ("almost" recognized as a saint)
Historic occasion: This will be his first speech EVER in the U.S.
Beloved Bishop Earl Fernandes
from Columbus Ohio.
Our own Archbishop Dennis Schnurr
Bengals football players and staff.
LIVE panel discussion of
Jeff Schiefelbein
motivational speaker
Fr. Jonathan Meyer
Pastor and Author
_______________________________________________________
Emceed by (our own*) very dynamic,
Fr. Ethan Moore
(*assisted with RCIA at St. Thomas More as a seminarian)
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NEW!!!
Inspiring Promo Video Released
Host Anne Desantis does an incredible job getting
inside information on what to expect for the
2023 National Men's Conference on March 25th in Cincinnati.
Click below to watch the interview:
MEN'S CONFERENCE PROMO VIDEO
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TO BE CHRISTIAN IS
TO IMITATE CHRIST!
But how can we imitate Him if
we don’t personally know Him?
This Lent, discover the works, loves, joys, and sorrows of Jesus in
THE LIFE OF CHRIST STUDY SERIES
so that you can follow Him more closely.
In this 40-day series,
walk through the life of Jesus and understand Him better by learning:
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Why it matters that He was the Son of David (Day 2)
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Jesus is the Truth, not just “a moral teacher” (Day 7)
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How we can follow the Way he set for us (Day 7)
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Why He was not a “nice guy” and what that means for us when we see injustice (Day 15)
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What Jesus told us about the end of the world…and how we should prepare (Day 23)
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How Jesus’ actions—in the face of the church and public leaders who wanted to kill him—show us how to live amid persecution (Days 29-30)
- …and much more
Click the link below to sign up for:
THE LIFE OF CHRIST STUDY SERIES
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UNDERSTAND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HOLINESS!
In 1 Peter 1:16, we’re reminded
of our call to holiness.
"You shall be holy, for I am holy."
But what is holiness?
In 12 beautifully produced lessons,
explore the Scriptural encounters with the Divine
– the burning bush, the ark of the covenant, the burning coal, and more!
As our fear and trembling turns to awe and wonder,
you’ll come to a new appreciation of our sharing in the divine life.
Click below to register for Dr. Scott Hahn's:
HOLY IS HIS NAME LENTEN STUDY
Click below to watch Dr. Scott Hahn talk about:
WHAT IS HOLINESS?
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Get everything you need to experience a life-changing Lent!
BACK for 2023!
The Ultimate Guide to Lent
from the Catholic Telegraph
And with all the content you’ve come to know and love.
Equal parts practical and inspirational
Packed with recipes, ideas for prayer, stories of hope, and more.
Click below to sign up for the:
LENTEN GUIDE FROM THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH
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ASH WEDNESDAY
PRAYER
Jesus, you place on my forehead
the sign of my sister Death:
"Remember you are dust,
and to dust you shall return."
How not hear her wise advice?
One day my life on earth will end;
the limits on my years are set,
though I know not the day or hour.
Shall I be ready to go to meet you?
Let this holy season be a time of grace
for me and all this world.
"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart."
O Jesus, you place on my forehead
the sign of your saving Cross:
"Turn from sin and be faithful
to the gospel."
How can I turn from sin
unless I turn to you?
You speak, you raise your hand,
you touch my mind and call my name,
"Turn to the Lord your God again."
These days of your favor
leave a blessing as you pass
on me and all your people.
Turn to us, Lord God,
and we shall turn to you.
Amen.
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NEW WEEKLY INFO
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WHEN GOD CALMS THE STORM!
Barb Schmitz had a deep desire that her dying father
would encounter the merciful love of
Jesus in the Eucharist.
Click the link below to read how God answered her prayer:
BARB'S ANSWERED PRAYER
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OUR BISHOPS SPEAK
In 1959, Cardinal Wilton Gregory
(now archbishop of Washington, D.C.)
entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil as a youth.
To this day, the excitement he experienced
when he received the Eucharist for the first time
that night remains with him.
Click the link below to watch his testimony:
CARDINAL GREGORY'S TESTIMONY
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Do This in Remembrance of Me:
A Step-by-Step Walk through the Mass
Father Luke introduces us to the Liturgy of the Word,
the cycle of readings,
and the relationships between the various readings.
Click below to read his overview:
FR. LUKE ON THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
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FOR CHILDREN
We welcome Katie Bogner as a new regular contributor!
Each month, Katie will share a catechetical Eucharistic
activity for children, as well as all the background information
and encouragement any parent, grandparent, catechist or teacher
may need to joyfully share your Eucharistic faith
with the children in your life.
This month, Katie offers an activity that uses
St. Valentine’s Day as a launchpad for young people
to discover Pope Benedict’s Eucharistic legacy
Click below to access the activity:
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY
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Registration for the Congress
Launches
With all the grace Our Lord wants to pour
over the United States through
the National Eucharistic Revival and 2024 Congress,
the devil is working overtime to
disrupt this endeavor anywhere he can.
Please take a moment to pray for everyone involved
in coordinating and executing this historic occasion of grace.
Below is a list of specific intentions where your prayers are most needed.
Please pray for:
• The technology that will process registrations
• Congress volunteers
• Event organizers and administrative staff
• All those considering attending
• All those who God is calling to attend the Congress,
especially those who must make sacrifices to attend
• The pilgrims as they prepare for the National Eucharistic Procession
Thank you for your ministry as a Prayer Partner of the Revival.
Your intercession makes a real difference!
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WILL YOU BE THERE?
We hope you can join us in July, 2024
for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.
At this historic event, you will directly experience
the fruits of your intercession and see the
impact your ministry has made all over the country.
Click the link below to REGISTER
REGISTRATION FOR 10TH
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE
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QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK
WHAT IS THE APOSTOLIC PARDON?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR HIGHLIGHT
Hallelujah!
A college drama group presented a play
in which one character
stood on a trapdoor and announce,
“I descend into hell!”
A stagehand below then pulled a rope,
the trapdoor opened, and the character plunged through.
The play was well received.
However, the actor playing the part became ill,
and another actor who was much heavier took his place.
When the new actor announced, “I descend into hell!”
the stagehand pulled the rope, and the actor began his plunge…
but ... became hopelessly stuck!
No amount of tugging on the rope made him descend.
Then one student in the balcony jumped up and yelled,
“Hallelujah! Hell is full!”
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For February 19, 2023
SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Year A - Mt 5:38-48
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Everyone love everyone, like God.
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you."
- In this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus again confirms, corrects, and expands the Ten Commandments.
- Underneath the commandments, just as underneath the natural moral law, is justice: everyone giving everyone what is due. In particular, in the Ten Commandments, the first three pertain to us giving God what we owe him, and the final seven regard us giving other human beings what we owe them.
- Jesus is saying that when it comes to other human beings, we owe to everyone perfect justice.
- By “everyone” he really means everyone, including enemies.
- By perfect justice he means generous self-giving love, not tit-for-tat.
- Because we are redeemed children of God, we have everything and cannot lose it (so long as we stay in friendship with God). Therefore, we no longer have to defend ourselves against every slight, real or imagined, no longer have to hold resentments, no longer have to keep score, but can really make a gift of ourselves to others. This is what our Heavenly Father does for us.
- The Lord encourages us in the truth that we shall be perfect. Through the intervention of God’s justice, which is the Redemption, we will love with God’s own love, which does not diminish itself in response to the threat of evil.
- God does not love less because that love may not be or is not returned.
- That is our model. “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.”
- Love of enemy is how God loves.
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
To reflect on the last things,
one of which is death,
is a longstanding, and encouraged, Catholic custom.
It seems to not be a pleasant subject,
but it is good
to consider our final end and how we prepare for it.
As the old saying goes, memento mori (remember death).
One great gift from the Church when death is near
is the apostolic blessing or or apostolic pardon.
It includes a plenary indulgence,
granting the remission of all
temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.
The Church teaches that
priests should not fail to impart this blessing
on the dying and
the faithful should be instructed about it.
This responsibility is especially for the pastor,
but any priest can and should offer it
to those in danger of death.
Normally, only the pope can grant
a plenary indulgence with his blessing,
but this is a time any priest has that same power.
If he should forget,
the faithful are encouraged to request
this special blessing to their dying loved ones.
If a priest is not available, the dying
who were in the habit of reciting prayers
can still receive
the plenary indulgence at the moment of death.
The three conditions required for a plenary indulgence are:
sacramental confession,
holy Communion,
and prayers for the pope.
Although the use of a crucifix or cross is highly recommended.
It is a blessing that is SO important
that it is the earnest desire of the Church to offer
this indulgence is the broadest way possible
to those who are in danger of death.
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BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
We need to be armed for battle!
At all times, and especially during these crazy times in this vale of tears,
we need to lay our foundation in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual reading helps us build and strengthen that foundation.
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This week's recommendation is:
Remember Your Death:
Memento Mori Lenten Devotional
by Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP
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When Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, began
keeping a ceramic skull on her desk
and tweeting about it,
she had no idea she'd be starting a movement.
Her daily tweets about memento mori
- Latin for "remember your death" -
contained quotes and insights that inspired others
to remember death daily.
Many have found this ancient practice
provides an important perspective on their lives
in view of
Jesus' call to repentance, conversion, and the hope of resurrection.
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Sr. Theresa Aletheia's series of tweets led to
a memento mori-inspired Lenten devotional.
The devotional includes:
> Alethia's daily reflection based on the day's liturgy
(through Lent, Holy Week, and Easter)
> A memento mori examen or review of the day
> A daily moment of intercessory prayer
> Daily reflections on death from the tradition,
including the Church Fathers and many saints.
Lent is a time when we remember Christ's death
and the sacrifice He made to give us eternal life.
This devotional helps you meditate on your own mortality
and the incredible gift of salvation
in preparation for Easter.
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We pray you will be excited to embark on purposeful
spiritual reading as a way to build a more prayer-filled,
Christ centered life.
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