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The Second Sunday of Lent February 24, 2013

Lent: Change and Renewal(Sr. Melanie Svoboda, SND)

When we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, we may hear these words: Turn away from sin and be faithfto the gospel. The phrase turn away implies a change. Lent is a time for change, but it is also a time fo

renewal. And change and renewal are not necessarily synonymous. For me change has to do with exterithings, whereas renewal with interiority. Change pertains to behaviors modified or adapted, wherearenewal considers the motivations that produce that behavior. From these motivations flow our Lentepractices.

A few examples might help. Lets say Im a complainera behavior Id like to change. I can begin basking, What makes me complain so much? Maybe Ive become blind to the blessings in my life. Imtaking things and people for granted. If so, my Lenten practice could be to become more aware of all mblessings, to name them, and to thank God for specific ones each day in Lent. Or maybe I complabecause Im just too tired. Then my Lenten practice might be to go to bed 30 minutes earlier each nighOr maybe I complain because Im out of touch with individuals who have far less than I have. Mightvolunteer to do something to help ease anothers painrather than complain about my own?

Or maybe Im very impatient. Im always in a huff whether Im driving, working on a project, cooking, owaiting for someone. The underlying motivation could be: I pride myself on how many things I can gedone. Being efficient means a lot to me. My Lenten practice could be to intentionally slow down: to waslower, talk slower, eat slower, and drive the speed limit. There are more important things in life thaspeed and efficiencylike people and relationships! My Lenten practice could also be to make more timfor relationshipstime to play with a child, tease my spouse, compliment a stranger, thank a formeteacher, phone an elderly relative, or treat a friend to lunch.

Or maybe Im not praying. Why? I dont have time. Its boring. I dont know what to say. Im afraid of GodIm mad at God. I dont believe God is interested in me. Take your pickthen choose a practice such a

this: set aside 15 minutes each morning (day or evening) and tell God honestly how Im feeling and whaIm thinking. Then humbly ask God for what I think I need. Or I can read the scripture for each day and loofor one word, line, or phrase that speaks to me. Or I can pray the rosary or one of the psalms each day. OI can just begin by telling Jesus Id really like to know him better. Please help me!

Our Lenten practice, rather than being merely an act of self-denial, actually becomes an act of lovesomething Im doing for God, for others, and even for myself! This understanding of change and renewcan help us get at the root of behaviors that dont reflect the mind or heart of Jesus, and to embrace thchallenge of making Jesus real in our particular time and place, with our personality, gifts, responsibilitiesand limitations. So as we embark on our Lenten journey, let us ask ourselves: (1) what behavior of minwould I like to change or modify this Lent? (2) What motivates me to behave in that way? (3) Wha

practices might move me toward real renewal?Lent affords us 40 days to begin that renewal procesHappy renewal!

Poverty Supper

St. Monica`s Faith & Justice Committee invites everyone to join them for a Lenten poverty supper anscreening of the documentary filmAn Invisible People(the indigenous people of Quebec). This event wtake place on Friday, March 1st at 6:00 PM in the parish hall.

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Mass Intentions: February 24 March 3, 2013

February 23, 2013 Saturday, St. Polycarp

4:00 Antonio Bei His Wife Gabriella & Family

February 24, 2013 The Second Sunday of

Lent

8:30 Mr. & Mrs. GianbattistaOnesi

Ida & Family

11:00 In Loving Memory

Fioravante Rotiroti, Mickie Laughlin, Leona Clarke,Derek MenziesFebruary 25, 2013 Monday,Lenten Weekday

8:00 Rita & Frank Walsh The Family

February 26, 2013 Tuesday, Lenten

Weekday

8:00 Susana Leon Elcida Leon

February 27, 2013 Wednesday, Lenten

Weekday

8:00 Luigi Paliotti The Paliotti Family

February 28, 2013 Thursday, LentenWeekday

8:00 Biagio & Antonietta

Libertini & Italo Falcone

Luisa & Angelo Falcone

March 1, 2013 First Friday

8:00 Giuseppina, Flora,Emidio & DomenicaMatalucci

Sorella Maria

March 2, 2013 First Saturday

4:00 In Loving Memory

Mike Kilbertus, Dorothy Moore, The DeceasedMembers of the Charles J. McDonald Family, LucilleWong, Gerry McLaughlin and the Mother of Richard

Ng Yun WingMarch 3, 2013 The Third Sunday of Lent

8:30 Vincenzo, Antonio &Mariana LaPosta

Concetta LaPosta

11:00 Rosolino, Chiara & LuigiSparapani

Maria & Family

FAITH FIRST/LITTLE GIFTS SPRING BREAK

Our Faith First and Little Gifts programs are now onspring break.Faith First classes will resume on the

weekend of March 16/17.Little Gifts (Sunday) willbegin again on March 24.

Adult Faith EnrichmentUpcoming eventsTwilight RETREAT

Practical Simplicity

Animated by Deacon Richard BoileauPlease note that this retreat originally schedule

for Monday, February 25, 2013, from 6 to 9 PM

has been cancelled.

VIDEO DIVINAFr. Raymond will present the movie CHOCOLATon Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectorJoin him for this inspirational movie, followed bstimulating discussion.

Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and the posters

the Church entrances for additional information.

you have any questions, please contact Anna at th

office.

Development & Peace Share Lent

Campaign, Human DignityWhat is human dignity? It is the right to livwithout the threat of hunger, it is the right to fa

working conditions, it is the right to live on youown land, and it is the right of women to bdeemed equal in all areas of society. D & P alonwith its 250 partners in 33 countries work timplement these rights.

Your GenerosityThank you for your on-going support of our parish

Last Sundays collection was $2,795.85

Caring, Not Killing

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, and the Quebec-basePhysicians Alliance Initiative for the Total Refusal of Euthanasia are asking Quebec citizens to show suppofor the Physicians Alliance declaration, Caring, Not Killing. This Declaration by a group of Quebephysicians firmly opposes the implementation of euthanasia or doctor-assisted suicide in Quebec. You ainvited to show support for the Quebec Physicians Declaration against Euthanasia by completing a shoform indicating your endorsement of their position. Copies of the form and the declaration, Caring NKilling, will be available at the tables at the back of the Church after next weekends Masses .

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