March 2019
 


As we prepare to enter into Lent . . .

A Lenten Prayer
God of all people, we offer you our Lenten journey. May we learn to walk as one human family, remembering in a special way those who are poorest and most in need. Bless our prayers, our fasting and our Lenten gifts. Through these actions, we show our love for your Son, Jesus, and answer your call to love one another. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Blessed Solanus Casey Relic  Veneration  
Parents are invited to join their children for a time of prayer and veneration on Monday, March 4th and Tuesday, March 5th during class time.  See flyer below for additional information. 

 
Ash Wednesday
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. Masses will be held at 6:30 am, 8:15 am and 7:00 pm.  Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes will take place at 4:30 pm.

 
 

Ideas for You and Your Family for Lent  
 
Prayer
Lent is a journey towards Easter, and a time of growing closer to God. Prayer is the way we have conversation and relationship with God.
Some ideas:
  • Take 5 minutes to talk to God every day
  • Set aside time every day to read some Scripture (start with the Gospels)
  • Pick up a daily devotional such as the Black Book (adult) and Purple Book (child) - available in the church
  • Subscribe to a daily devotional online (check the St. Paul website for electronic links)
  • Read a book, listen to a podcast or look at videos on the Formed website
  • Make time every day to pray together with your family (try the 5 Finger Prayer)
  • Try a Mass outside of Sunday
  • Pray the Stations of the Cross
  • Go to Confession
  • Pray the rosary in your car, on the treadmill, etc. (do a decade with the kids on the way to school)
  • Commit to morning prayer, bedtime prayer and prayer before meals
  • Play Christian music
Fasting
Worldly things get in the way of our relationship with God. During Lent we fast from something that distract us from being who God made us to be; from something that gets in the way of our relationship with God.
Some ideas for things to fast from:
  • Video games, social media or TV
  • Shopping on the internet
  • Your favorite food or beverage
  • Mean words (use kind words)
  • Anger (be patient)
  • Complaining (be grateful)
  • Using bad language or yelling
  • Selfishness (be generous)
  • Trying to win arguments or prove you are right
Almsgiving
Almsgiving reminds us that everything we have comes from God; to be less focused on our own needs and more focused on the needs of others.
Some ideas:
  • Set aside some money every day to put into a Rice Bowl or use for another charity
  • Do a random act of kindness every day
  • Commit to being more helpful to the people you live with
  • Reach out to someone you have lost touch with
  • Be more present, put your phone away, stop and really listen to the people you speak with
  • Volunteer for a service opportunity, or help with something at your church
  • Shovel snow for a neighbor
  • Bake cookies for shut-ins
Set a daily reminder on your phone to help you remember what you want to do!
 
Reconciliation 
Children in grades 2 - 8 will have the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent.  Parents are welcome to join them or take advantage of the other Confession times offered between now and Holy Week.
(See the Lenten schedule attached below.)
 
First Communion Families  
Children preparing for First Communion should be working on the
We Believe & Celebrate First Communion books now. Reading these books a great way for entire households to grow spiritually as they share their faith with one another. Letters with mass assignments for First Communion will be mailed in the beginning of March . Each family will have an entire pew reserved for them. Extra seating will be available at the back of church.   
 
Seventh Grade Families 
It is not too late to sign-up for the NET (National Evangelization Team) Retreat scheduled for Thursday, March 16th at the Tompkins Center at Windmill Pointe Park in Grosse Pointe Park.  Retreat paperwork, which includes a permission slip, was mailed home  February 13th.  This event is always a fun and faith-filled day for the students.  There is no charge for this retreat. Please consider this great opportunity for your son or daughter. If you have any questions, please call the Religious Education office at 885-7022. 
 
6th Grade Seder Meal
The 6th graders will be participating in a Passover Seder Meal during class time on March 25th/26th. All donated items need to be in the RE office by noon on Monday, March 25th.  Sixth grade families should receive an informational letter about this special event in the mail next week. 
   
Eighth Grade Families 
Students preparing to be confirmed in May must write a letter to the Pastor. Letter writing instruction will take place during class on March 11th/12th. Please make certain that your child has submitted his/her letter for Monsignor Halfpenny by March 25th/26th. Each student will be assigned a personal interview time with a member of the pastoral staff. Interviews are scheduled during class time on April 8th/9th and April 29th/30th.  Attendance is extremely important during these last months of class. 

Click here for  for Seventh and Eight Grade Christian Service Opportunitie s
      
 
      
Also happening at St. Paul School and Parish.....  


 


         
 
Religious Education Department (313) 885-7022
Judith Jones, Director of Religious Education: jjones@stpaulonthelake.org
Katie Cook, Section Head for Grades 1- 4: kcook@stpaulonthelake.org
Tricia Kesteloot, Section Head for Grades 5 - 8: tkesteloot@stpaulonthelake.org