“…Forgive and You Will Be Forgiven…”

…“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” This weekend’s Gospel offers us some very practical advice. How we treat others, will set the tone for how we will be treated by others and even more, by God. The measure with which you measure….take some time this week to reflect on how you measure others and even more, how you want God to measure you.

…The other night I was with our Stewardship Committee. They were discussing how much they appreciate and value the Stewardship Prayer we often pray. It offers us a positive approach to building our Church in a way pleasing to God and good for all of our members. Our parish will be welcoming if we welcome. Our parish will be prayerful if we pray. Our parish will care for those in need if we care. Our parish will be good for families if we support family life. And the examples go on and on. As we reflect on our personal lives, it’s a moment for us to reflect on our parish. Our parish will be anything we help make it to be.

…As we look to continue to grow our parish community, our Stewardship Committee is looking for a few new people to enrich the group. They need some people who are good at communications, or have strong people skills, or are good at organizing people/programs. If you would like to learn more about the Stewardship Committee and its important work for our parish, please contact Jane Baldwin at JBaldwin@StAmbrose.us.

…A great example of the Stewardship Prayer can be found in one of our new members. Jim has spent his career working to develop fitness programs. Now in his early retirement, he wants to help stir some fitness and health in our community. A few years back we had walking groups and hiking groups. Jim is willing to help put this together for our parish. Anyone interested? Anyone willing to help him develop the right plan for our parish?? A little help will go a long way to creating a
stronger parish and healthier members.

Let me know if you can join Jim and I to
develop a plan (frbob@StAmbrose.us).

…We had a GREAT Communications/Marketing Team meeting this past week. A few new people joined the conversation. We are looking to review our website and ways we can most effectively share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are meeting again this Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the John Paul II Room. We would love to have you.

…Last week our Jail Ministry Team had an amazing Scripture Study with 23 guys in the Medina County Jail. Each week they come back with a list of prayer intentions. God bless our team that is working so hard to bring the Good News of Christ to our brothers and sisters at Medina County Jail. Please keep them and those we serve in your prayers. If you would like to learn more about this meaningful ministry, please contact Mark Oldfield at oldfield322@gmail.com.

…The Fish Fry season is rapidly approaching. Spread the word. Save the dates. Join the team. We need you. All the proceeds will support our Church renovation project.

…The Women’s Guild made the best stuffed cabbage last week for our Community Meal. We served about 360 people. What a blessing to give the best to our brothers and sisters. The Women’s Guild will be making homemade nut rolls for Easter. See the bulletin insert for your order form. They’re amazing and helps to support the great work of the Guild.

…Save the Date. Join us on Thursday, March 14 for a free concert with one of Ireland’s top voices – James Kilbane. The concert starts at 7:00 pm in Hilkert Hall. All are welcome. Invite your neighbors, family and friends.

…Tell us what your favorite Lent song is. Go to: ww.stambrose.us/lentsongs. We are working to make sure we play your favorites this Lent.

…This weekend we are inviting you and all of our members to sign up for Lent 1.3. Quite simply we are asking you to share one hour – three times – over Lent with a small faith sharing group. These three gatherings will focus on the Word of God (Scripture) and offer some thoughtful questions for your personal reflection and discussion.

It’s a great way to grow closer to the Lord and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and community. Please open your heart to try something new this Lent. You will be pleasantly surprised how Lent 1.3 can stir new life and greater joy in the Lord this Easter.

…This weekend we welcome our Parish Pastoral Council to the 12 noon Mass. We are blessed with a strong PPC that is working hard to help our parish address the spiritual and pastoral needs of all our members. May God bless our PPC as they help us to be a community that is welcoming, prayerful, caring, service-minded, and mostly centered on Christ.

…The Church is really coming along wonderfully. The updated videos have been very well received and are stirring a great excitement in our community. Watch Facebook for updates.

…As we prepare to walk into the Church this Easter, we would love to have some new lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, and choir members. Have you ever thought about one of these ministries? Please open your heart to consider serving our parish community in one of these liturgical ministries. All the training will be provided. For questions, or to sign up, please contact Father Rob at rramser@StAmbrose.us.

…The Little Black Books are at the doors of the Hall this weekend. Help yourself.

…Our parish is blessed with so many wonderful people….great families….amazing members! This weekend our Knights of Columbus is honoring one of our families for their commitment to their family and our parish family. The Ruggiero Family will be receiving the Family of the Year award on Saturday night. Chris and Carrie are involved in almost every aspect of our parish life. Even more they have worked hard to set the foundation of their family on Christ. They are raising their family on the cornerstone of our parish community. Congratulations to Carrie, Chris and their children – Carilyn, Cathryn, and Christian. God bless you.

…Thank you for all you do for our parish community. God bless you for all you do to set your family on the foundation of Christ. God bless you for all you do for our parish family. We are so blessed.