LENTEN SEASON

It's time to put away the green vestments and put on purple colors for Masses. The Season of Lent begins this week with the celebration of Ash Wednesday on February 22. During this Lenten Season, I encourage you to attend one of our daily Masses, come to church for some quiet and prayerful time with the Lord, and join us for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday afternoons or Stations of the Cross on Friday afternoon. Consider participating in one or more of our noon-time programs or visit our Gift & Book store for some excellent books or DVDs on topics to help you grow in faith. If you are not sure what might be a good Lenten book ask one of the workers in the Book Store. I have listed below a few of my suggestions, that are available in our book store, for your Lenten meditation.

The Catholic Spiritual Journey by James Bacik, The Genesee Diary by Henry Nouwen, I, Francis by Carlo Carretto, You'll Never Be Younger: Good News Spirituality for those over 60 by William O'Malley, SJ, The Mystery of God's Mercy by George Montague, SM, Forgive Everyone, Everything by Gregory Boyle, SJ, Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ, Let Us Dream by Pope Francis, also books about Fr. Augustine Tolton, St. Oscar Romero, Bl. Solanus Casey, OFM, Cap.and many other saints and topics are available in St. Peter's Gift & Book Store located on the lower level of the church.

If you like to listen to music for reflection or watch movies or programs you will also find a large selection of religious CDs & DVDs for your Lenten reflection in our book store.

Below is a brief outline of our 2023 Lenten offerings here at St. Peter's. You can also access the bulletin on our parish website as well as the Lenten Schedule and other items of interest. We will keep the bulletin and website as updated as we can during this Lenten Season. If you do not have access to the internet, you also may call the church offices Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 12 noon until 4:30 pm. The church office is closed on Sundays. The website and phone number for the church will be found on the front cover of this bulletin.

ASH WEDNESDAY

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 22. Please note that we will distribute ashes as we did last year after Masses or Scripture Services as listed below:

  7:30 am    Mass

  9:00 am    Scripture Service

10:00 am    Scripture Service

11:40 am    Mass

12:30 pm   Scripture Service

  1:15 pm    Mass

  2:30 pm   Scripture Service

  4:00 pm    Scripture Service

  5:00 pm    Scripture Service

We will have two priests available on Ash Wednesday in the lower level Confessional Rooms B & C 10:30 am-3:00 pm on Ash Wednesday.

SCHEDULE OF LENTEN SERVICES & MASSES

Monday-Friday: Masses: 7:30 am, 11:40 am and 1:15 pm
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm
Sunday Masses: 9:00 am and 11:00 am

Monday-Friday: The church is open for private prayer from 7:00 am-4:30 pm.

Monday-Friday: Confessions are 10:30 am-3:00 pm.

Saturday: Confessions are 12:00 pm-4:30 pm.

Please note the following change of day for Adoration and day and time for Stations of the Cross during the Lenten Season:

• On the Wednesdays of Lent, we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at the conclusion of 1:15 pm Mass. Adoration will conclude with Benediction at 4:15 pm.  Adoration begins Wednesday, March 9.
• On the Fridays of Lent, you are invited to join us as we pray the Stations of the Cross at 4:00 pm. Stations begin on Friday, February 24 at 4:00 pm.

After Lent ends, we will return to Adoration and Exposition on Fridays. Please consult future bulletins or our website for programs and other Lenten opportunities.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL (ACA)

Last weekend, throughout the Archdiocese, we were able to participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal. Your gift – no matter the size – has an important part in helping bring the Gospel message to our fellow Catholics and others throughout our region. Given the great challenges we have all faced in these past few years of COVID, the work supported by the Appeal is more important than ever. Gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal directly support the necessary work of parishes, Catholic schools and vital ministries throughout the archdiocese.

Each church/parish throughout the Archdiocese has a goal to meet to help the various ministries supported by the ACA. This year our target goal for St. Peter's Church is $16,062. I am hoping that as in previous years we will not only meet our goal but we will exceed the goal. When contributions exceed our goal, St. Peter's Church will receive a rebate from the excess donated funds. In the past year those funds that were over our goal for 2022 have helped maintain our ministry here at St. Peter's Church.

If you were not able to contribute to the ACA last weekend you still may contribute. To make your gift, you can complete the mail-in giving envelope available in church or make a gift online at annualcatholicappeal.com.  I encourage you to be generous in supporting the ACA this year. As I noted above, if ACA contributions exceed our goal, then St. Peter's Church will receive a rebate of those excess donated funds for our ministry here at St. Peter's.

VOTE

If you are a resident of the City of Chicago don't forget to vote for mayor and alderman next Tuesday, February 28. Early voting is now possible...Your vote DOES count...Plan on voting today!

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS

Please continue to encourage young men and women to consider serving the Church as priest, religious brother or sister. Please continue to pray for vocations. If you have any questions about priesthood or religious brother's life, ask any of the friars. Ask Sr. Fran about life as a religious woman.

May you have a peaceful and blessed week!

Fr. Michael