SCHEDULING ENCOURAGMENT – I cannot encourage you enough to clear your schedule this week and attend the Parish Mission. It is a great way to make Lent more fulfilling and hear what the Spirit is saying specifically to you. I would also encourage you to attend the Parish Irish Night. It is a lot of fun, a great way to meet new friends, a cheap night out, and a little break from our hectic lives. 
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Jottings from Fr. J.J.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
Lenten Opportunities
Do you love Lent? I do, but a lot of folk don’t have all that much affection for the season. Many Catholics have come to think of it in negative terms; however, Lent is not about hair shirts, sour expressions and the like. Rather, it is a positive, strengthening, spiritual experience, and if you want to grow in your love of God and your neighbor, then Lent is for you! We need to be single-minded and “do stuff” to gain a clearer vision of the Risen Christ, come Easter. Here are some suggestions to keep you focused:
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
LENT AGAIN? – We all know what Lent is: a forty-day season of preparation for Easter. Lent traditionally is supposed to be days of fasting, which means days of discipline and self-restraint. The focus of Lent was always threefold: it is a time to prepare new converts for the sacraments through intensive classes and instruction; it is a time for long-standing Christians to review their lives and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ; and it is a time for backsliders to be restored to the faith. In every case, it is a time for serious, disciplined self-examination, a time spent in intensive prayer and repentance before the cross.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
Do You Have A Vocation? – As you can see (Yes that is me with hair. Give me a break, it was the 80’s) from this ancient vocation poster, that I once was a seminarian who had doubts and questions. What helped me clarify what the Lord was asking of me was my attending a “Discernment Weekend” at the seminary. In the coming months the seminary is hosting two Discernment Overnights (intended for 14 to 17 year old males) and one Discernment Weekend (intended for those 18 and older) for men who may be considering the priesthood. The overnights are February 26 – 27, and May 7 – 8. The weekend is March 25 – 28. These are excellent opportunities to take an honest look at the possibilities seminary life might hold for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me & Fr. Mark, or call the vocations office at (313) 237-5875.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
I know I already wrote about the March for Life in Washington, DC in last week’s article, but I thought you might enjoy these photos (see page 3 of this week’s bulletin) of our experience. X-out your calendar for next January so you (and your family) can go with us next year on the bus. Speaking of buses: thank you to Jim Collison, Diane Trombley and Right to Life—LIFESPAN for planning and organizing the entire venture. I know the Lord was pleased!
God bless,
Fr. J.J.