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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
For Our Family of Parishes
STELLA MARIS, STAR OF THE SEA
including:
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette,
St. Mary's, St. Peter's
March 19
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4th SUNDAY OF LENT
LAETARE SUNDAY!!
This Sunday has a place apart amongst the Sundays of Lent.
As we had Gaudete Sunday in Advent,
so in Lent we have the Sunday commonly called
Laetare Sunday.
It is a Sunday of joy!
Lent is half over—this is our foretaste of Easter joy.
The celebrant can choose to to wear rose-colored vestments.
It is also the Second Scrutiny for those adults preparing to enter the Church
through Baptism at the Easter Vigil.
The Church’s liturgy invites us
to retrace a fundamental dynamic of our baptismal re-birth
through this Sunday's Gospel account
of the healing of the ‘man born blind’.
It is the Gospel passage calling us to move
from the darkness of sin and error
to the Light of God, who is the Risen Christ.
Although the Solemnity of St. Joseph is usually celebrated on March 19,
this year it is transferred to March 20 because
the liturgy of the Lenten Sundays take precedence,
but this solemnity is too important to skip.
See the Book Recommendation section!
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HAVE YOU REFLECTED
ON THE
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
THIS YEAR?
Also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis,
they commemorate Jesus's passion and death
on the cross and offer
a way for us to spiritually "enter into" Jesus' suffering for us,
to awaken our awareness of and gratitude for
His incredible love of us.
Each of the 14 stations depict a moment on His journey to Calvary,
usually through sacred art, prayers and reflections.
The practice began when pious pilgrims traced his path
through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa.
A practice developed for the many who wanted to walk this path but could not travel to Jerusalem, eventually taking the form of the
14 stations currently found in almost
every Catholic church throughout the world.
Stations of the Cross are a valuable Lenten tradition,
as we make the journey to Calvary
with our Lord Jesus Christ,
focusing on how he suffered for us
and his interactions with those he met on the way.
You can attend on Lenten Friday evenings in
St. Thomas More and St. Bernadette churches
after the parish Friday Fish Fry.
If you cannot get your family to a scheduled
Way of the Cross devotion at a church,
you can pray it on your own.
Our U.S. Bishops present an alternative to the traditional stations
that helps us reflect more deeply on the
Scriptural accounts of Christ's Passion, based on those
celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday 1991.
Click below to follow the:
SCRIPTURAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS FROM USCCB
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ST. PATRICK'S
FEAST DAY
MARCH 17
WHO WAS ST. PATRICK?
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE A FEAST DAY
IN HIS HONOR?
Historians estimate that during Patrick’s mission in Ireland:
* Thousands of people were baptized,
* 300 or so bishops were ordained
* Hundreds of churches were erected
Because of
his zeal and passion for Christ and
his commitment to his missionary calling
an entire nation became Christian!!!
Click the link below to read more about this famous and brave saint:
FACTS ABOUT ST. PATRICK
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BENEDICT XVI'S GUIDE TO HOLINESS
Our late pope was well aware of the challenges
posed by our busy modern lifestyles
to Catholics who want to become saints.
In all the rush of daily life,
how can we find ways to draw closer to God?
So, he left us
9 simple habits that anyone
with any schedule and set of responsibilities
can start building now for a happier, holier life.
(Note: "Start building" means gradually working in and not an expectation to enact them all at once!)
What is essential?
For Pope Benedict XVI it's our Encounter with Christ.
Click below to discover:
POPE BENEDICT XVI'S 9 HABITS TOWARD HOLINESS
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LITERARY IMAGINATION
OF C.S. LEWIS
Although seldom acknowledged in some circles,
C.S. Lewis had a deep relationship with the Catholic Church
and many influential Catholic authors of his time,
including J.R.R. Tolkein.
So contends Professor Joseph Pearce, from TAN Courses:
Shakespeare’s Catholicism,
The Hidden Meaning of the Lord of the Rings
the Hobbit
He and TAN Courses join again to present:
The Literary Imagination of C.S. Lewis:
Character, Allegory, and the Inspiration of Faith.
Many of Lewis' works are infused with theological allegories
that sound familiar to lovers of Catholic literature.
You may have read in high school or college about Lewis and some of the works discussed in this presentation.
However, secular schools do not usually acknowledge
the vital role the Catholic Church played in Lewis’ literary works.
Covering many of Lewis’ greatest works, this course
analyzes key themes such as:
The intended purpose of allegory
Metaphysical reflections on hell and purgatory
The nature of freedom, agency, and the will
The diabolical; the urgency of spiritual warfare
Virtue and politics
Click below to:
MEET THE PROFESSOR, JOSEPH PEARCE
Click below to get the:
8 PART VIDEO COURSE ON C.S. LEWIS
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COMING TO OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES
THIS SUMMER!!!
WHAT IS TOTUS TUUS??
An active and engaging Catholic summer youth program
dedicated to sharing the Gospel and
promoting the Catholic Faith
through catechesis, evangelization, witness and
Eucharistic worship,
from young adults to their near-peers and younger.
Totus Tuus goals
To help young people
grow in the understanding and strengthening
of their faith in Jesus Christ
through prayer, discussion, and encounters
but also lively activities
by youthful, on-fire disciples
specially trained for this ministry
- this is not summer Bible school!
Only by establishing a
real and personal relationship with Him
can we truly know the love of the Father in the Spirit
and so be made sharers in the life of the Holy Trinity.
CHECK OUT THE FLYER BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS!
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REGISTER WITH THE:
TOTUS TUUS REGISTRATION FORM
IN A NUTSHELL
2023 Summer Program: JUNE 11-16
Register by: MAY 10
Location: St. Bernadette for our Family of Parishes
Please REGISTER EARLY!
Earlier registrations enable us to take advantage of more features for the children and teens in the program!
ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
IF INTERESTED, CONTACT MIKE KLESHOCK:
(mobile/text) 513-379-0378 (email) faithformation@stbameliaparish.org
Click below to download:
TOTUS TUUS REGISTRATION FORM
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LENTEN RESOURCES ON FORMED.ORG
FORMED is excited to present
curated content to help the Church
journey through this Lenten season.
This collection's resources help us deepen our understanding of
Lenten days, practices, and devotions.
Find resources on
Prayer
The mystery of Christ's Passion,
The roots of Holy Week found in Judaism,
. . . and much more
To guide us through the holiest days
in our liturgical year—the Triduum.
Click below to view all the:
LENT RESOURCES ON FORMED.ORG
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FRIDAY MEATLESS MEAL SUGGESTIONS
The default meatless Lenten dinner,
fish has its limitations:
Maybe the kids (or we) won’t eat it
or it’s frankly too expensive.
Be of stout heart! Here are 65 dinners that are meatless and fishless.
From pastas and casseroles, to stews and salads, to burritos and pot pies,
your Lenten world just got a lot wider.
Click below for:
65 MEATLESS DINNERS
NEW: CLICK BELOW FOR ANOTHER LINK WITH MEATLESS DIINNER RECIPES:
MORE LENTEN MEATLESS RECIPES
And PART TWO: MORE LENTEN RECIPES!!
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Remember to check our parish bulletins for the Friday Fish Fry events scheduled
at each parish in our family!
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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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Inspiring Conference Promo Video Released
Host Anne Desantis does an incredible job of 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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PRAYER BEFORE
THE CRUCIFIX
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate,
with great love and tender pity,
Your five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me
and calling to mind the words which David,
Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus:
“They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones.”
Amen.
Click below to read the:
AVE MARIS STELLA PRAYER
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA in GREGORIAN CHANT
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA SUNG IN ENGLISH
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NEW WEEKLY INFO
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OUR BISHOPS SPEAK
Remembering Bishop O’Connell
On February 18, 2023, this
auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
was the victim of homicide,
a living witness to the connection
between the Eucharist and social justice.
He was laid to rest on March 3.
As we mourn his loss and pray for the repose of his soul,
here is a remarkable video of Bishop O’Connell
offering benediction over the Los Angeles Valley in 2020.
Click the link below to watch this video:
BISHOP O'CONNELL
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Do This in Remembrance of Me:
A Step-by-Step Walk through the Mass
From their origins to present uses, Father Luke invites us to encounter in
the Psalms the very words Jesus prayed.
Click below to read his overview:
THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM
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For Children:
A Lenten Sacrifice—Offering One Holy Mass
This month, Katie Bogner offers a
catechetical Eucharistic activity for children
that connects the liturgical season of Lent
with our active participation at Mass.
CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS THE ACTIVITY:
FOR CHILDREN: OFFERING A HOLY MASS
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NEW!!! EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMPANION
Click the link below to download the new (pdf)
Eucharistic Prayer Companion
corresponding with the Lenten Sunday Mass readings
and the week’s particular work of mercy.
NEW!! EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMPANION FOR LENT
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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 who God is calling to the Congress, especially sacrifice to be there
• 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, TOO?
You can join us in July, 2024 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.
At this historic event, directly experience the fruits
of your intercession and see the impact
your ministry 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
WAS JESUS A GOOD MAN
OR GOD?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR HIGHLIGHT
God In The Ocean
There was a preacher who fell in the ocean and couldn’t swim.
A boat came by, and the captain yelled, “Do you need help, sir?” The preacher calmly said “No, God will save me.”
A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, “Hey, do you need help?”
The preacher replied again, “No God will save me.”
Eventually the preacher drowned & went to heaven.
The preacher asked God, “Why didn’t you save me?”
God replied, “My foolish child, I sent you two boats!”
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For MARCH 19, 2023
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Year A - Jn 9:1-41
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Christ is the light of the world.
"So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
- Jesus’ disciples assume that either the man who was born blind or his parents had sinned, and so the blindness is a punishment from God. The Jewish authorities agree with this view. They condemn the man, saying, “You were born totally in sin.”
- Instead, Jesus says his condition “is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Quoting St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas says “‘Since God is the highest good, He would not allow any evil to exist in His works, unless His omnipotence and goodness were such as to bring good even out of evil.’ This is part of the infinite goodness of God, that He should allow evil to exist, and out of it produce good.” (ST, I, q. 2, a. 3)
- What are these “works of God” to be “made visible” that Christ speaks of?
- Jesus is doing the works that Paul exhorts us to do: St. Paul said, “Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
- Our Lord declares, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
- Therefore Christ is producing “every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”
- What does the man born blind “see” when Christ gives him light by restoring his sight? Besides seeing the physical world, he can also see the truth of things: He says of Christ what the Jewish authorities cannot: “He is a prophet.” And a little later, when Christ gives him more light, he recognizes Christ as the “Son of Man,” and so, “he worshiped him.”
- If we are open and honest and ask, God will give us light to see the truth and grace to live according to it. But we can deliberately close ourselves to the truth. We claim we see but we are really self-blinded. Then we do works of darkness.
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
Jesus is God the Son.
He is the eternal,
all-powerful,
all-loving,
self-existent Creator God.
So many people today choose atheism or agnosticism
without understanding who Jesus really is.
Click below to find:
50 BIBLICAL PROOFS THAT JESUS IS GOD!
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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.
Order though your favorite book dealer.
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This week's recommendation is:
Consecration to St. Joseph:
The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father
by Fr Donald Calloway, MIC
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In the midst of crisis, confusion, and a world at war with the Church,
it's time to come home again
to our spiritual father, St. Joseph.
In this richly researched and lovingly presented program of consecration to
St. Joseph, Fr. Calloway brings to life
the wonders, power, and ceaseless love of St. Joseph,
Universal Patron of the Church and the Terror of Demons.
(Yes, Terror of Demons is a title for St. Joseph!)
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The foster father of Christ,
St. Joseph...
...whose feast day is quickly approaching: March 20th.
(Usually the 19th, his feast moved this year to not be on Sunday.)
To celebrate this humble, holy man
Good Catholic created a
five-day series so that you can learn more
about St. Joseph, Protector of Jesus and Mary
...and our protector, too.
Click below to sign up for this series:
ST. JOSEPH, OUR PROTECTOR
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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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