What is holy water and how do I explain the reason that it is placed at the entrances of churches to my non-Catholic friends?
     Holy water is a sacramental, a reminder of the life of the Church expressed and celebrated through the sacraments. God's grace is mediated through word and gesture (the outward signs). This comes to us through Jesus (instituted by Christ) as he entrusts to the Church his saving mission (to give grace). In turn the Church, through the sacraments, shares that grace and mission with us.
     On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our foreheads to remind us of our origins, humbly created from the dust. But by blessing ourselves with holy water, we are reminded of our destiny! We are baptized sons and daughters of God. This is also a call to conversion, to live more fully our baptismal call to live as disciples of Jesus. We see holy water whenever we renew our baptismal promises. This will occur during the Easter liturgy as well, reminding us that we are indeed on a journey of faith and renewed in Christ. Blessing ourselves with holy water reminds us that we are baptized into a community faith, and always in need of turning from sin and toward God. Holy water is a visible sign of our baptism!
 
Calendar of events:
April 3-gr K-9; gr 2-5 have reconciliation; gr 6-9 Stations of the Cross
April 6-1st Eucharist Retreat for 2nd graders at IC, 8:30-11:30am
April 10-all grades meet; Reconciliation for gr 6-11 & parish at 7pm
 
Tweet others as you want to be tweeted.
 

Fast for Lent
 A man who had been away from the Church for some time came into the confessional on Ash Wednesday. The man professed, “Father, for Lent, I’m going to pray a whole bunch and I’m going do that thing where you give up food in between meals. The priest responded, “You’re going to fast?” The man started again, “I’m... going... to... do... that... thing...
 
Calendar of events:
Mar 27-gr K-9 meet
Mar 29-short video after mass-The Significance of Ash Wednesday; 7 min.
April 3-gr K-9; gr 2-5 have reconciliation; gr 6-9 Stations of the Cross
April 6-1st Eucharist Retreat for 2nd graders at IC, 8:30-11:30am
April 10-all grades meet; Reconciliation for gr 6-11 & parish at 7pm
 
Prayer is like wireless access to God-with no roaming fees.
 

It was the third Friday of Lent when a faithful parishioner stumbled through pouring rain past hamburger huts and steak houses into the monastery at Mount Angel and requested shelter. He was just in time for dinner and was treated to the best fish and chips he’d ever had. After dinner, he went into the kitchen to thank the chefs. He was met by two brothers who introduced themselves, “Hello, I’m Brother Michael, and this is Brother Francis.” “I’m very pleased to meet you. I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful dinner. The fish and chips were the best I’ve ever tasted. Out of curiosity, who cooked what?” Brother Michael replies, “Well, I’m the fish friar.” The man turns to Brother Francis and says, “Then you must be...” “Yes, I’m afraid I’m the chip monk.”
 
Calendar of events:
Mar 20-all grades meet
Mar 27-gr K-9 meet
Mar 29-short video after mass-The Significance of Ash Wednesday; 7 min.
April 3-gr K-9; gr 2-5 have reconciliation; gr 6-9 Stations of the Cross
 
 Let today be the day you give up who you’ve been for who you can become.
 

Meet our Confirmation Students!
This week: Owen Miesbauer
Owen Miesbauer, 10th grade, 15 years old.  My dad’s name is Craig, my mom is Dana, and my brother is Aiden.  I am in cross-country and wrestling.  My parents are making me get confirmed.  I have not fully found out what my faith means to me, but I hope confirmation will help.

St. Louise de Marillac
God calls us in every stage of life. This week is the feast of Louise de Marillac. As a young girl, she felt called to the religious life. However, she received advice to marry instead. Her husband died 12 years into their marriage. In the wake of her husband’s death, she met St. Vincent de Paul. She was greatly inspired by his work with the poor, and he became her spiritual director. She began a training center out of her own home to train other young woman to serve the poor and sick. This became the Sisters of Charity. The religious order began to grow, as slowly more sisters joined to work in hospitals and orphanages across France. The Sisters of Charity now serve worldwide. When your life takes an unexpected turn, consider where God might be calling you!
 
Calendar of events:
Mar 13-gr K-9 meet
Mar 20-all grades meet
Mar 27-gr K-9 meet
Mar 29-short video after mass-The Significance of Ash Wednesday; 7 min.
 
~LENT-not just for bellybuttons~
 

Meet our Confirmation Students!
This week: Hannah Litwaitis
Hello, my name is Hannah Elizabeth Litwaitis.  I am 15 years old and in 10th grade.  My parents are Jeff and Nikki Litwaitis.  I have 1 sister named Emma Litwaitis.  My favorite activities are going camping and swimming, and during the school year I am involved in volleyball and band.  The reason I want to be confirmed is because the sacraments are very important to me as I go through my high school years and into my adult life.  What my Catholic faith means to me is, I will always have the power of prayer to help me through tough situations in my life and knowing God is watching over me at all times.  I see myself sharing the faith in the future by, attending mass and helping others with their religion.

An Ash Wednesday Prayer
"Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust."
You remind us today, oh Lord, of our origin and end.
In the beginning, You fashioned us in the Garden.
You dignified dust with the Breath of Life.
You made us in Your image and likeness.
You led Your people through the dust of the Sinai
wilderness to the Promised Land.
You overcame temptation in the dry desert.
You healed the blind with dirt and clay.
Three times Your body stirred the dust
as you fell on the road to Calvary.
Hear the cry of Your people!
One day we will return to dust.
This Lenten season, stir our minds to contemplate You,
our hearts to love You, and our bodies to serve
You in our brothers and sisters.
May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
be Your breath alive in us.
Amen.
 
Calendar of Events:
Mar 6 - Ash Wednesday
4:10pm= prayer service gr K-5-dismissed at 5pm
7pm = Mass for 6-11 & parish  *Students will be dismissed after Mass
Mar 13 - gr K-9 meet
Mar 20 - all grades meet