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MARCH & LENTEN GREETINGS:
March days bring us into springtime in the world of Grace. Ash Wednesday, on March 1st, will introduce us into our spiritual springtime training (PFA). Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are the three pillars of the Christian life and being more attentive to them during the 40-day period of Lent will bring us a deepening springtime in God's love and presence...springtime in the Spirit. SPRINGTIME IN THE SPIRIT — LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES: It will be so good to see the increased participation at our daily Lenten Masses and also increased prayer participation in the Cenacle Chapel. The Sacrament of Reconciliation during the three scheduled weekly times usually shows increased participation. The Friday evening 5:30pm Lenten Mass before the Soup & Sacrifice in the Parish Hall is very popular gathering time for the Lenten discipline of PFA - Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. A LENTEN CALL TO ESTABLISH FAVORABLE TIMES FOR PRAYER & FAVORABLE PLACES FOR PRAYER: In my own personal practices of daily prayer I found that a favorable time each day for intentional prayer and a favorable place to pray are two essential pillars for daily communion with God. Our desire to pray and to pray more often is best translated when we have a place favorable for prayer in our home… a prayer corner and a specific time to be there each day. A prayer corner in the catechism of the Catholic Church is described as a place that is favorable for prayer, a place that is free from distraction, and a place that will help us focus on sharing with God. Many of our parishioners have such prayer corners in their homes. They are constant reminders to them of the Holy and a call to have a consistent appointment time with the Lord to be there in the prayer corner on a daily basis. PRAYING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT – BY FR. JAMES MARTIN, SJ: For the last several years, I’ve made a weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land along with a group of pilgrims. Near the end of our time in Jerusalem, we walk the “Via Dolorosa”, or “Way of the Cross”, which traces the steps of Jesus from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion. The locations of some stations are nearly certain (such as the location of Calvary, the hill on which Jesus was crucified). Others are less historical (such as the spots where Jesus fell). In the 15th century, Christians in Europe began promoting the practice of praying with the stations in their local parishes because few could make the trip to the Holy Land. So what might this ancient tradition say to you? To begin, it’s not so important that every station is historical (Veronica’s wiping of Jesus’ face is not even in the New Testament). More important is the invitation to meditate on each of the stations, understanding that in their totality they are true – that is, Jesus was indeed condemned and tortured, suffered and was crucified. As you meditate, you might ask what each station means for you. For example: What does it mean to have someone help you carry your cross, as Simon of Cyrene did for Jesus? Are you open to letting someone share your suffering? Each of the stations can open up a window into Jesus’ life, and each can be a means for Jesus to enter your life, making holy any land you are in. James Martin is a Jesuit priest, editor of America magazine and author of several books, including Jesus: A Pilgrimage, Seven Last Words, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Every Friday at 3:30pm and 6:45pm, and 7:30pm (Estaciónes de la Cruz). PARISH LENTEN MISSION APRIL 3-5 after the 8:30am Mass and at 7:15pm each evening in the church. BEST LENT EVER®: This year you have the opportunity to experience a truly life-changing Lent. Join us for BEST LENT EVER® a free daily email program that will take you on an incredible journey through Lent. The program features video reflections from Matthew Kelly and Dynamic Catholic team members who share insights that will inspire and encourage you. Plus you’ll get a simple action step and prayer each day to help you apply what you learn to your everyday life. I hope you will sign up for this free program! All you have to do is sign up at DynamicCatholic.com/bestlentever. Let's do something life-changing this Lent. Let's take a 40-day spiritual journey to encounter Jesus -- and ourselves -- in a deeply personal way. 3R’s 60TH ANNIVERSARY THEME — REMEMBER, RENEW AND REDISCOVER JESUS CHRIST: The three R’s theme for our 60th anniversary 16 months from now is because the core of our faith as Catholics is to:
3Rs PRAYER – REMEMBER, RENEW AND REDISCOVER JESUS CHRIST: Please pray the following prayer regularly for God’s blessings on all our efforts in renewing our OMOS campus: Loving and merciful God, your Word proclaims — “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it”. Thanks for your guiding hand and abundant blessings on the mission, growth and development of Our Mother of Sorrows parish faith community and school. Lead us to prayerfully Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ in all that we are and do. Pour out your Spirit anew upon this community of faith. Bless and renew your people and our campus and buildings—launching pads for encountering Jesus Christ in Word, community, Sacrament and loving service. Open our hearts to be generous in renewing our campus for rediscovering Jesus Christ and His mission, ministry and way of loving service. Lest we labor in vain, we entrust our capital campaign and all our efforts to Jesus through Mary, His Mother—our Patroness—Our Mother of Sorrows. Amen. 3Rs CAMPAIGN: “UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE...THE CITY, THEY LABOR IN VAIN WHO BUILD IT." Sixteen months from now our parish will be celebrating in great thanksgiving the 60th anniversary of its beginnings on May 10, 1958. At this time 58 years ago in the first year of the parish’s existence, a small group of charter members from the 200 original families were focusing their efforts on building the first church of the parish which is now our parish hall. They were also planning to build the first wing of Our Mother of Sorrows School. During this past year, in anticipation of the 60th anniversary of our parish 16 months from now, a significant core leadership group of our parishioners from existing leadership councils and commissions have been reviewing and discerning some of the critical needs within our parish plant calling for attention. The process has resulted in a comprehensive plan addressing many of the needs which were revealed to us during the review process of this past year. With the unanimous concurrence of our Parish Ministries Council, our Parish Stewardship & Development Council, our Parish Board of Directors, and our Liturgy & Worship and Building & Maintenance commissions, we are now launching a campaign around the theme “Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ”. As we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary, we stop to reflect on all that has been given to us and ask, “What can we do now to ensure that the legacy we inherited remains for future generation?”. This is the question the various commissions and Parish Council have been asking for much of the past year. In order to ensure that Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and School remains a strong and vibrant community of faith, we are embarking on a milestone capital campaign entitled Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ. This campaign will help us to address the following needs: Church Renewal
In the coming weeks, fellow parishioners serving on the campaign executive committee will be calling parish families to discuss the campaign and invite you to participate. When you are called we ask that you receive this person lovingly and receive the message with an open heart and mind, and prayerfully consider supporting this vital effort. MEMORIAL GIFT OPPORTUNITIES: What is a Memorial Gift Opportunity? A memorial gift opportunity is a specific item possessing religious, devotional or functioning significance which may be sponsored in memory of or in honor of a loved one. How will Memorial Gifts be recognized? Memorial Gifts will be recognized with an attractive name plate located on or near the item being sponsored. Do suggested Memorial Gift amounts represent the actual costs? No, the suggested amount of a memorial is not based solely on the cost of the item being memorialized, but rather on the overall goal and objectives of the campaign. Your gift will permit OMOS to raise the funds necessary to carry out the completion of all of the projects outlined. How are Memorial Gifts reserved? Memorial items are listed on a special brochure available from the parish office. Simply select a memorial item that corresponds with the pledge amount you wish to donate. Memorials are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Please indicate the item you wish to reserve on the campaign pledge form. The campaign office will notify you if the item selected is no longer available. Questions about Memorial Gifts can be directed to Martín Camacho at the parish office — 520.747.1321. VALENTINE’S DINNER & DANCE WELL RECEIVED: The annual event was again very well attended by 80 couples. It was beautifully presented. This annual event gives special opportunities for couples to renew and strengthen their bonds of friendship and love. The unique gift of friendship and love in marriage is a sign of God’s love for His people - the Church. Thanks to our LifeTeen Youth Ministry for providing the gift of free childcare services. Because of this loving service, it was possible for couples with younger children to enjoy the evening. Our deepest thanks to all the members of the organizing and sponsoring groups for your splendid efforts and service in ministry. MARCH 11TH PILGRIMAGE DAY TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS ORPHANAGE IN AGUA PRIETA: The Tucson Chapter of the Blessed Nuno Society, home-based here at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, is sponsoring an all-day pilgrimage to Our Lady Queen of Angels Orphanage in Agua Prieta on Saturday, March 11th. Carl Sylvester, Executive Director, will lead the one-day pilgrimage. Participants will be helping bring supplies provided by the Society to the orphanage. The onsite visit to the orphanage, now housing almost 30 orphans, will give a hands-on prayerful experience of reaching out to the most vulnerable among us, the homeless orphans at the orphanage. Parishioner pilgrims must have a valid passport. The carpool will depart from the parish parking lot after a 7:15am Mass on Saturday, March 11 and return by 8:00pm on that Saturday evening. Cars will be parked on the Douglas side of the border and the pilgrim group will walk across the border and board a bus for the 5-minute ride to the pilgrim site in Agua Prieta. There is no cost, but a freewill offering to offset the cost of the bus and to assist the orphanage will be collected. Pilgrims are responsible for paying for their own lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Interested parishioners are asked to contact Rocio at 520.747-1321 or email rzamora@omosparish.org. ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH: The 8:30am Mass on March 17th will be our annual citywide Mass in honor of St. Patrick. Celtic music and dancing will be a special feature of the celebration and will begin at 8am and continue during the Mass. All Irish who fit into any of the following acronyms are invited and welcome… CIA, FBI, IBM, TWWTW. AFTER-CHRISTMAS ALIENATED CATHOLICS ANONYMOUS PROCESS PARTICIPANTS EVALUATION FORM COMPOSITE: 1. Strengths of the series as I experienced them are:
The date for the next six-week ACA series for Catholics who wish to return to and renew their Catholic faith will begin after Easter on Monday, April 17th. ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL: Our parish is in the first weeks of the Annual Catholic Appeal toward our parish goal of $158,000. Thanks to all who have participated to date and we look forward to generous participation of so many of our parishioners who have helped us meet our parish goal. Parishioners who have not yet responded are invited to return their completed pledge in the weekend collection. FROM A GRATEFUL VISITOR: I just wanted to let you know I visited your beautiful church several times when I visited my daughter and her family. It gave consolation and peace. The people are kind and welcoming. I’ll be back there soon. God bless everyone. Rita March Dates to Remember: Lent Begins This Wednesday, 3/1 Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule 6:30am, 8:30am, 10am (School Mass), 3:30pm, 6:00pm, 7:30pm in English in the Parish Hall 7:30pm in Español en la parroquia St. Patrick’s Day Annual Citywide Mass, 3/17 8:30am
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Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church • 1800 South Kolb Rd. • Tucson, Arizona • 520.747.1321 • Contact us
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