Pastoral Messages from Fr. Rick 2-11-21

Fr. Rick’s Pastoral Messages 2-11-21

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU in advance.  As Lent begins we will be reminded again and again and again that this is the season which focuses on prayer, fasting and alms giving.  Holy Mother Church aspires to help you with all three throughout the season.  You will notice a preponderance of special collections which are our regular outreaches to the most vulnerable throughout the world.  Most of you have also received your annual pledge card for the annual Bishop’s Appeal (a.k.a. The Diocesan Development Drive).  This is an extraordinarily generous community so I will just encourage you to be your usual generous selves.  Please take the time to read the literature that is provided for each collection to get a more complete picture of what the Church is doing throughout the world and to feel some of the graces of your generosity.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Starting on February 11 we have begun Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each Thursday afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00.  This will be a time of silent prayer which ends with benediction.  Please bring your take-home missalettes which contain the order of service for Adoration.  You can stay for the whole hour or just a few minutes.  Let us join Jesus in His ongoing quest to find a quiet place to pray and find the regeneration that is especially needed in these stressful times.

ASH WEDNESDAY is February 17.  We will have Mass with ashes at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.  This year because of Covid-19 considerations and in order to minimize skin on skin contact, ashes will be sprinkled on top of each person’s head.  This has actually been the common practice in different places at different times in the history of the Church.  Recall also that Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.  For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. No food between meals.  Abstinence means no meat and the norms are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.  All Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence from meat.  Persons with medical conditions that make these norms unhealthy should concede to their doctors’ directives.

Virtual National Catholic Men’s Conference February 19-21.    Here is a great way for Catholic Men to get Lent off to a focused start.  Invite a younger man who may be inactive in the faith.  Journey together.       https://go.virtualcatholicconference.com/NCMC2021

 A Lenten Journey with Mary, Virtual Lenten Retreat ‘A Lenten Journey with Mary: On Suffering, A Catholic Perspective’ is the title of this year’s MI Utah Virtual Lenten Retreat. It will take place on Saturday, February 27th from 10:00am to 1:00pm (MST) Join us for Liturgy of the Hours, inspiring talks and breakout groups, online adoration, and more! FREE with donations being accepted for the Father Kolbe Missionaries. For more information and to register contact Donna @ miutah.stmary@gmail.com

Theology of the Body Virtual Retreat – February 27, 2021.   BE GENUINELY PRO-LIFE !!  https://www.tobpatron.com/virtual-retreat?r_done=1