Lent takes its name from the old English word “lencten” which means “lengthening”. It refers to the lengthening of the daylight as we move toward summer (at least in the northern hemisphere). At Advent and Christmas we celebrated the Light coming in the darkness.
Now as the days lengthen, we are invited to create space in our lives and in the depths of our hearts and souls for that Light to lengthen – to grow within us and draw us deeper into the love of the Divine Presence.
Lent is a time of spiritual renewal, a time for interior spring cleaning.
We traditionally talk about the three pillars of Lent being prayer, fasting, and alms giving. These three pillars are not just about “doing things”; they are about changing our focus. All three – prayer, fasting, and alms giving – are about redirecting our focus from being centered on ourselves to being focused on our relationship with God and with our neighbor.
Sometimes this means letting go of certain actions, habits, or attitudes. Sometimes this means taking on new ways of being that will help our spiritual lives to grow and thrive.
The St. Francis Liturgy Committee has a number of ways to help with your personal spiritual renewal this Lent. Please scroll down for details.
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Our Lenten theme this year at St. Francis of Assisi is:
Tapping into
the Living Waters of Christ
How may we tap into this Living Water? By focusing on our spiritual growth and becoming more attune to the glorious riches that are ours through Christ Jesus and through His provision of Living Water.
As Jesus proclaimed in John 7:37-39:
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says:
'Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’
He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive.”
Please read our bulletin each week for commentary and real life applications for
Tapping into the Living Waters of Christ
this Lent.
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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES RICE BOWL
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This year our parish will participate in the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl. Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. By supporting the work of CRS, you are supporting the humanitarian efforts of the Catholic Church at home and abroad.
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Rice Bowls and the accompanying calendar were blessed and distributed last weekend at all Masses.
Bring Lent to Life by following the calendar and the on-line resources. The calendar provides activities and opportunities for both children and adults.
If you were not able to pick up a Rice Bowl at the church, you can order one free of charge at
crsricebowl.org.
The bowls will be collected on the second weekend of Easter, April 18 and 19.
(Note: The rice bowl and calendar
will replace our usual Lenten Devotional).
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LENT EVENTS AT ST. FRANCIS
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CENTERING PRAYER WORKSHOP
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Saturday, February 29, 2020
11:00 to 2:15
St. Francis of Assisi
Free ... Donations Appreciated
Follow-up Sessions:
March 2 and 16, 2020
4 pm to 6 pm
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Do you long for more love and intimacy with God in your prayer life? Join us as we
follow
Into The Desert
, with Dr. Tim Gray. There will be a weekly video and group discussion as well as a daily meditation. Learn to refresh yourself with the Living Waters of Christ when you feel you are journeying through the desert.
Thursdays at 9:30 am
March 5 through April 9
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THE POWER OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES
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Adam Kimble will explore the concept that
A
nything is Possible
when you put your faith and trust in God, pursue your callings, and persevere through the tough challenges and obstacles that could prevent you from making your dreams a reality.
Adam is a parishioner, ultra-marathoner and motivational speaker. Learn more about Adam and see some great photos
here.
This special event is for all of us, especially for our youth and families.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
12 noon to 1:00 pm
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
with an Opening Reflection from Father Chris
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February 28, March 6, 13, 20 and April 3:
5:30 pm in English and 7:00 in Spanish.
March 27:
The Living Stations at 7 pm (bilingual)
Presented by the University Catholic Community
Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Center.
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Tuesday, March 31: Communal Lenten Reconciliation - 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 2: Chrism Mass at St. Rose of Lima, Reno - 5:30 pm
Saturday, April 4 & Sunday April 5: "The Seven Last Days" Musical Tenebrae Service (6:30 on Saturday and 2:00 pm on Sunday)
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Dynamic Catholic offers a free and totally awesome daily Lenten video program (sent straight to your email) that will help you unlock your God-given potential.
It's not what you give up.
It's what you become.
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Celebrate Lent with some of your favorite saints!
With insightful reflections, Father Greg Friedman, OFM, offers daily inspiration during this season of repentance, forgiveness, and hope. Connect and pray with some of the Church's most beloved saints and holy people—Thomas Merton, Francis, Clare, Damien of Molokai, Teresa of Calcutta, and Gianna Molla, to name a few!
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Christ’s love for you is bursting forth. Embrace Him and let His mercy pierce your heart during this Lenten season.
FORMED.org is offering a 40-day journey of allowing Christ's tender love to entirely transform your life. Receive short, daily videos from Scripture scholar Dr. Tim Gray straight to your inbox each morning. Apply the suggested challenges throughout the rest of your day to fully invite Christ in each and every moment.
Sign into your FORMED account
here
.
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You can also use the MyParish App to access the weekly bulletins, daily Mass readings, a Lenten reflection, and Father Chris's homilies. Download for free
here
and specify St. Francis of Assisi, Incline Village as your Parish.
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RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR LENT READING
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If you're looking for an inspiring, motivational book to read, the St. Francis of Assisi Liturgy Committee has two suggestions. Both are suited for the 40 Days of Lent.
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Sharing our Catholic faith with others, even as society increasingly rejects religion.
In this five-week guide to becoming a daily disciple of Jesus in a post-Christian culture, Kevin Cotter presents thirty-five brief and engaging meditations that provide Catholics with the conviction and tools for sharing Jesus with others.
Called
is an accessible guide to evangelization for the average Catholic.
Be encouraged to step outside your comfort zone and open your eyes to Jesus’ call to discipleship. The book is available on
Amazon.
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THE ACTIVATED DISCIPLE
by Jeff Cavins
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Practice Is Over. It's Game Time.
The Activated Disciple
teaches you how to imitate God, so you can become an instrument for him to transform the world.
If you yearn for a life that moves beyond believing and practicing, then this book is for you.
The Activated Disciple
learns to walk in the ways of the Lord. Discipleship requires such a close relationship with God that every area of your life is transformed. It is about opening yourself to God and inviting Him to dwell within you, becoming holy as He is holy, loving as He is loving. By imitating God, disciples become the instruments God employs to transform the world.
We suggest you also order the journal - it will activate you! For more details and ordering information,
click here.
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CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL (CSA)
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The annual CSA provides an opportunity for us to answer Christ’s call and to renew our personal commitment to His work in the Church. Together, as Christian stewards and disciples, one of the ways we live out the Gospel mission of our Church is through our support of CSA.
CSA donations fund seminarian education, our priests' pensions, and many evangelizing ministries like adult faith formation, religious education for adults and youth, and ethnic ministries. It also helps keep our rural parishes open and funds the Newman Center at the University of Reno.
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If you did not receive a brochure and pledge form in the mail, please request one
here.
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Heads up! Right after Easter, we will be sending a brief online survey to ask your opinion on our Lenten Liturgy and activities.
We would love to hear from everyone ... especially those under the age of 50!
In the meantime, if you have comments or suggestions prior to receiving the survey, please
e-mail us now!
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Be Social - Follow us on Facebook
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St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church
701 Mount Rose Hwy
Incline Village, NV 89451
(775) 831-0490
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