February 11, 2018

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake:

1.- ‘CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF BLESSINGS.’
This is the theme for our St. Mary’s 100th Anniversary of the establishing of our Faith Community as a Parish in this beautiful area of the Northwoods. Together we want to look back to the PAST in order to give thanks & praise to God for His loving actions throughout the century. We focus on the PRESENT to celebrate God’s bounteous blessings. We look forward to the FUTURE and ask for God’s continual blessings, so that we can be authentic disciples of Jesus in the world today. I pray & hope that various centennial activities each month from now till Feb. 2019 will strengthen our Faith, nourish our Hope, and increase our Love in each one of us, in our families, and in our parish. May our parish be a true community of discipleship: rediscovering Jesus more deeply, following Jesus more closely, worshiping Jesus more zealously, and sharing His love more enthusiastically!

2.- ‘REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!’ This will be an exhortation when we receive ASHES on our foreheads this coming ASH WEDNESDAY (Feb.14). Please plan to goto church on Ash Wednesday and ‘kick off’ our Season of Lent. As you might
know: ‘Lent’ is the term that has its root to mean a ‘spring time,’ which
normally comes after a cold winter. When spring time comes, things are renewed: The weather will be more pleasant, birds will come back, trees will bud forth, and green grass will reappear etc. In that spirit the Church invites us to make use of the Season of Lent to repent & renew, and lead our lives more & more in the way of the Gospel, so that, with the help of God, we can bring about a spiritual spring time to our life of faith. Be sure to check the Church Bulletin each week and participate in various Lenten activities to help us live fully the spirit of Lent

 LENTEN REGULATIONS: Each Catholic is asked to preserve the penitential purpose and character of Lent, which begins ASH WEDNESDAY. Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent and Good Friday. In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday until they celebrate their 59th birthday are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may only eat one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. These practices are designed for spiritual growth. Catholics are not to excuse themselves lightly from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.

 
Fr. Philip