Lent at St. Martin's
Mondays - 7 p.m. Bible Study - Women of the Bible at Juanita's house
Wednesdays - 6 p.m. Mass in the Lady Chapel
Thursdays - 10 a.m. - Noon Private Prayer and Adoration with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (come and go as you desire) in the Lady Chapel
Fridays - 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the church
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Theological Reflections
Should I Go to Confession?
From the earliest days of Christianity, the Church believed that the Sacrament of Baptism cleansed from sin. But there was disagreement about the fate of a person if they sinned after baptism. Because of the fear that those sins could not be forgiven, many people put off their baptisms until the time of their death, so that they could die absolved of all sins. In time, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church understood that bishops and priests were successors of the authority given to the Apostles by Jesus. Part of this authority was the power to absolve sins. ("Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained" John 20:22-23). And so the church devised the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Confession) as a means of helping the baptized repent and return to God after having sinned.
The Episcopal Church, which is rooted in the ancient Christian faith that has been observed in the British Isles since the 2nd century, offers this sacrament to those who desire it. It is a healing sacrament meant to assure a sinner of God's love, grace, and forgiveness. But Anglicans do not view this sacrament as compulsory. It is good to remember the following Anglican dictum here: "All may, some should, none must." The Scriptures teach us that anyone can turn to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ, with a contrite heart, confess their sins with the intention of living a holy life, and receive God's forgiveness.
But sometimes, one should consider making a sacramental confession in order to receive the assurance of pardon and/or spiritual counsel from the priest. This may be helpful for a person who can not overcome a habitual sin or a person who has committed a grave sin (sometimes called a mortal sin). It may also be helpful for a person who is struggling to forgive themselves, as the priest can offer them counsel to help them love themselves in order to receive God's pardoning mercy. One might also consider making a confession as part of one's preparation for another sacrament, such as First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage or Ordination, or before starting a new chapter in life. This way, one can begin with a clean slate and a fresh start, newly empowered by God's grace.
At St. Martin's confessions are heard by appointment. Simply call or email Father Rob and set up a time. It's important to remember that your confession is confidential and protected. It can never be revealed to another person for any reason. Please also remember that you are in a safe and loving environment. I am here to support you in your conversion. I will never judge or condemn you.
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Lenten Book Study
All are welcome. This year we will be learning about and discussing six women from the Old Testament in five sessions. They include Jephthah’s daughter, the Shunammite woman, Esther, Judith, and Naomi and Ruth. Some will be familiar and some probably will not. All have a story to tell and things to teach us about their time and place, their beliefs and spirituality, and their relationship with God and their people.
We will be using the book “Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter”, by the Reverend Lindsay Hardin Freeman (ISBN 978-088028-391-5), It is available online, in both hardcopy and electronic format, from a variety of vendors, including Amazon. This is the same book we used for the 2018 Woman in the Bible program.
Meetings will take place each Monday during Lent beginning on March 7 and continuing on March 14, 21, 28, and April 4 at 7:00 pm. We will be meeting at the home of Juanita Hawkins
90 Vandeveer Drive
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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Prayer Requests
- Fr. Rob's mother, Evelyn.
- Kathy Picazio asks for prayers for a special high school friend who has a son, daughter-in-law, and her daughter in Ukraine. Doug Newton, his wife, Zhenya, and her adult daughter, Anya.
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Juanita asks for prayers for Anna Crisolog who was just admitted to Hospice care and Heather Rotz who passed away suddenly at 23
- Bonnie Whalen requested prayers for her 28 yr old grandson.
- Linda Virtue
- Chris Semanchik, who is very ill.
- Jane Linn's, granddaughter-in-law, Rachael.
- Keep Mike, Christine Kellam's dad in your prayers.
- Mary Irwin is experiencing some health issues.
- Philip and Nancy
Please send your prayer intentions to Philip at philip.muniz@gmail.com.
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INTRODUCING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Every week in Lent we’ll be introducing two Stations in the Stations of the Cross. All together the Stations are a series of images of events from Jesus’ journey on the day of his crucifixion. Each station relates an event from that journey. Christians have been walking the Stations for centuries. It is meant to assist us as we make our own spiritual pilgrimage of contemplation of our Lord’s passion. The images here are from a set of 14 icons recently given to St Martin’s in memory of Gloribel Ayala.
We hope you will join us on Good Friday at the Church to walk the Stations of the Cross as you contemplate the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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THE SEVENTH STATION:
JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Let us pray. Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
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THE EIGHTH STATION: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
There followed after Jesus a great multitude of the people, and among them were women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
Let us pray. Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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OUTREACH
Outreach will continue to collect Easter basket goodies until Sunday, April 3rd. We are in need of baskets, individually wrapped candies, grass, and small toys/books/gifts. We have an abundance of plastic eggs.
In addition to collecting items in the narthex, we will be doing a collection in the church parking lot on Sunday, March 27th from 11:30 to 1:30.
SHIP is still experiencing difficulties and the truck is not serving meals in the evenings. They hope to resume this in April but there will be a new schedule with new locations. As soon as they notify us that the truck is serving hot meals once again, we will let everyone know.
Your generosity is appreciated.
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