ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL (ACA)
Next week is Commitment Sunday for the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal. This year's theme is Walking on the road with Jesus. The theme is inspired by Pope Francis’ call to the entire Church to become “synodal,” that is, to journey together with the Lord prompted by the Holy Spirit.
If the isolation and sense of vulnerability of the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we need to walk with the Lord, and we need to walk together in mutually supportive ways.
When Jesus says in today’s selection from the Sermon on the Mount, “You are the light of the world.” He tells us, in effect, that as we make our life journey together, we reflect him who is foremost and forever the light. But how exactly do we reflect his light? At the end of the gospel passage, he says that is through our “good deeds.” These are the very things that the prophet Isaiah speaks of in today’s first reading. Our light shall break forth like the dawn, when we share bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and homeless, and when we clothe the naked.
To walk on the road with Jesus, the light, means sharing our resources and supporting those in need. The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us the opportunity to do exactly that.
We are called to offer our financial support, our prayerful support, and our direct involvement in the Church’s outreach. Through the Appeal, we can support parishes in need, Catholic schools, programs of religious education, and Archdiocesan initiatives, for example, that foster respect for life, that seek to make peace and prevent violence, and that train leaders for our faith communities.
There are envelopes and brochures available for you in the back of church for you to take on your way out. Across the next week, reflect, pray, and ask yourself how you can walk on the road with Jesus and support your sisters and brothers who make the journey with you. Consider as concretely and specifically as you can how your contribution of time, talent, and treasure will help you to do this. Prepare to make a commitment next week.
If you wish more information or might want to contribute at this time you can visit the website annualcatholicappeal.com to find more information or to make your pledge online.
The Masses we celebrate here and throughout the Archdiocese brings us together with Jesus. It mobilizes us to go with him on the road and to pursue the journey that leads to our heavenly home. In Holy Communion, we receive what an ancient Latin hymn calls esca viatorum, the food of travelers that sustains us on the way.
BLESSING OF ST. BLAISE
Last Friday, February 3 we celebrated the feast of St. Blaise. St. Blaise is the patron of those who suffer from diseases of the throat and other illness. Because many people might not have been able to attend Mass last Friday, we will also bless throats after the Masses this weekend.
CHURCH FINANCES
As most of you are aware food, utilities, household repairs, and many other items of daily life have increased significantly in the past couple of years. Keeping St. Peter's Church open and providing a space to be at peace with God, celebrating the sacraments, maintaining a seventy year old building, providing just salaries for our lay staff and other church related items has also been a challenge. A few months ago, we established a Finance Council to oversee our financial operations. The Church's Code of Canon Law states that, "Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal [Church] law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods."
At one of the weekends in March, I and the Finance Council will report to the congregation of St. Peter's our present financial status and our continuing exploration of how best we can be a strong presence of the Church here in the Loop.
PRAYERS
Please continue to pray for Fr. Wenceslaus, Br. Leo, Sr. Fran and all those who are suffering from illness. Also, please continue to pray each day that the war in Ukraine may soon end. Pray and work each day for an end to the violence that is plaguing our city and our country at this time.
LENT
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 Service 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.
Fr. Michael