…”For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Our Lent theme and song proclaims the Good News that one day we can all get to heaven. That path requires us to live each day with the deepest desire to get to heaven and to stay on the pathway of the Lord. The season of Lent gives us forty days – one day at a time – to reflect deeply on our desire and commitment to embrace eternal life. It gives us the time and opportunity to do the work to turn our hearts and our lives more completely to the Lord. One Day….when we all get to heaven….what a day of rejoicing that will be. May each of us use these days to focus on the Lord – on heaven – and on the path that will get us there!
…The Season of Lent calls us to be people of prayer….people who faithfully and regularly call upon the name of the Lord. What is the regular rhythm of your prayer? Challenge yourself to make time for the Lord. Consider stopping by the Chapel. Even better, come for daily Mass. When we call upon the Lord, we will be saved!
…Our parish has developed a Spiritual Workout APP to help you develop your own personal workout plan this Lent. You simply ‘build your plan’ and the APP will send you some inspiration and reminders to help you ‘workout’ this Lent – to grow stronger in your faith – and deeper in your trust and love for God – one day at a time. For more information and download details go to: www.StAmbrose.us/Lentmadeeasy.
…Our parish is blessed with over 425 members participating in Lent 1.3. These faith sharing groups will focus on the weekly scripture and stir meaningful conversations and discussions on how best to connect faith and life. We distributed 1600 Little Black Books over the past week. Imagine – 1600 people in our community all reading, reflecting and praying on the same thought each day of Lent. Imagine the impact that can make!
…The Church is coming along wonderfully. We are on track for Easter. It’s going to be a glorious day! Make sure you check out the video updates both on our website and Facebook.
…The Season of Lent gives us a time to renew and update all of our Liturgical Ministries (Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Music Ministers, Greeters, Servers). So many of our members serve faithfully in these ministries. We are so blessed. We are in need of some new members to join them and we would like to invite you. All the training will be provided. It will be a great blessing for you in your life. If you would like to learn more, or sign up for any of these important ministries, please send me an email (frbob@StAmbrose.us).
…Make sure you join us next Thursday for an Evening of Song with James Kilbane. As we get ready for Saint Patrick’s Day, he will sing some of the timeless Irish classics, as well as some traditional religious songs. He’s got a great voice. The FREE concert starts at 7 pm in Hilkert Hall. Spread the word. Invite your friends.
…Did you see that our good friends and members from the Hooley House are selling corned beef sandwiches for Saint Patrick’s day. All the money will go towards our Catholic Works of Mercy efforts to care for our brothers and sisters in need. You get a great treat… and those in need find the help they need. Order yours today.
…Do you like planning events? Our parish is blessed with many parish events. We would like to get a Parish Events and Activities Committee together to help make sure we have great opportunities for our community. Many event planners and organized people will make for even better events! Can you help a little? If you are interested, please send me an email so I can invite/inform you of the upcoming meeting.
…As we prepare to return to the Church, I would like to invite all of our members who are in law enforcement to come together to help us update our safety plan. If you are in law enforcement, please send me an email so I can invite you to the Safety Review walk thru.
…Many of you know long-time member, Carol Maline. Carol has done amazing work for our community in our Business Office. Carol now has two grandchildren and wants to ‘step back’ a little. We are looking for a part-time bookkeeper to work in our Business Office and work with her. You can see the ‘job description’ in today’s bulletin. Please spread the word. Thanks.
…The scriptures on Ash Wednesday reminded us that the spiritual tools of this season are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. How can we use these days to take more time to be with the Lord in prayer? What are the things we need to ‘fast’ from in order to be our best selves in the eyes of God? What are the sacrifices we can make to connect to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
…At the doors of Hilkert Hall this weekend are the Lent Rice Bowls. In our parish we say over and again, “Small change…Big difference”. How can we make small changes that will help us make a difference in our live? We are also asking everyone to collect change to help us build a home for a family in need in our mission community. If we all work together, we can raise $8500 which will take a family from a tin shack and give them the path to a safer, better life. Small change….big difference.
…Someone came to our Fish Fry for the first time on Wednesday. They proclaimed, “this is the best Fish Fry we’ve ever attended.” Please stop by any Friday in Lent from 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm. We’ve freshened up the menu. You will have a great meal with so many members of our parish family. There’s also a special every Friday night!
…Thanks to the outpouring of your goodness, this Sunday morning we will be blessed to send 9-year old Collin Nemet on his very special trip to Disneyland with his family. At the 10:30 am Mass, we will present them with all these need for this special adventure. Please continue to keep Collin in your prayers along with all of our members who are struggling with cancer.
…May these days of Lent be blessed. You are in my prayers. May we all live – and love – in such a way that one day… we will all get to heaven!
