Bulletin Announcements for March 18-19, Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)

Chrism Mass
Each Tuesday during Holy Week, the Bishop celebrates the Chrism Mass, the blessing of the oils used in our various rites (Oil of Catechumens/Oil of the Sick/Sacred Chrism). Representatives come from all 77 parishes in our diocese to retrieve the blessed oils and meet in prayer. During this Mass the priests serving the Diocese of Gaylord also renew their priestly vows of service. You are cordially invited to the Chrism Mass at St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord on Tuesday, April 4th at 11:00. For those unable to travel to Gaylord, the Chrism Mass will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Gaylord YouTube channel. Please join us for this very special liturgy.


Catholic Relief Services Collection
This week we take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection to reveal Christ’s love to our brothers and sisters in need. This collection helps six Catholic agencies to provide relief and support for struggling communities and to work for peace and reconciliation among our marginalized brothers and sisters here and around the world. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief and give online at https://support.crs.org/donate/

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Why purple?
Colors powerfully convey unspoken messages and evoke emotions. Scriptural accounts share Jesus was robed in purple to mock his implied royalty as king of the Jews. The pain of his passion and crucifixion became associated with this color. Purple reminds us Lenten days are times of repentance and atonement, of acknowledging how our selfish desires continue to suppress and crucify the goodness of God today.

Lenten Image


Saint Joseph’s Day Soup
INGREDIENTS
Note: You can add, subtract or substitute beans and vegetables of your preference. Also, add more water (and adjust vegetable base accordingly), if you prefer soup with more broth or if you plan to eat it the next day (since it tends to thicken).

  • 1 package of mixed soup beans (contains a variety)
  • ½ cup canned chickpeas
  • 1 package of Ditalini Pasta (Any small pasta shapes will work)
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • ¾ cup diced potatoes
  • ¾ cup zucchini, chopped (green and/or yellow)
  • ¾ cup diced tomatoes (canned is fine)
  • ¾ cup Swiss chard (roughly chopped)
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • vegetable soup base or bouillon, to taste
  • water
  • salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS
Soak the dried beans the night before (following the package directions).
On the day of cooking, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in the olive oil in a medium to large stock pot. Add the rinsed beans and chickpeas, celery, carrots, potatoes and zucchini. Pour in water until it is 6-7 inches above the level of beans and vegetables. Give pot a quick stir and boil on a low to medium heat for about 30 minutes. Reduce heat to a gentle boil and add tomatoes, Swiss chard, parsley and vegetable soup base/bouillon (to taste) and salt and pepper (to taste). Finally, add approximately one cup of pasta (give or take, if you prefer) and continue to boil until vegetables and pasta are tender. Before serving, top with grated parmesan cheese and croutons for extra flavor.


Holy Hour (and a Half)
Deepen your relationship with Jesus and be a part of the Eucharistic Revival. Bishop Walsh is hosting Holy Hour (and a Half) consisting of exposition, adoration, benediction, and eucharistic catechesis.

  • March 19, 3 p.m. at St. Ann, Cadillac - Southwest Vicariate
  • March 26, 3 p.m. at Immaculate Conception, Traverse City - West Vicariate

To Encounter Christ Retreat for High School and College Students
To Encounter Christ (TEC) is a spiritual movement for high school seniors and college students. It begins with a three-day retreat weekend, starting April 14 until April 16, 2023 at Camp Daggett in Petoskey. This high energy and spirit-filled retreat includes dynamic reflections, music, sacraments, adoration, small group dialogue and prayer. Afterwards, the TEC community evolves into a network of support that both reinforces parish involvement and personal spiritual growth.
For more information about TEC, visit the international website: tecconference.org For more information about the local TEC community and retreat registration, visit the newlifetec website.

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Religious Liberty Essay Contest
Religious freedom is a fundamental right. But the truth of religious freedom has needed, and continues to need, witnesses. Share the story of a witness to freedom. Choose one person (or group, such as an organization or community) who is important in the story of freedom. Was there a key moment in the person’s life that bears witness to freedom? Or was it the life as a whole? Did the person articulate important concepts for religious freedom, and if so, what arguments did she or he make? Why is this person a witness to religious freedom? What lessons can we learn from this person’s witness?
First Prize: $2,000 scholarship Second Prize: $1,000 scholarship Third Prize: $500 scholarship.
All three winning essays will be published at usccb.org.
Essays are due March 24, 2023.
Winners will be announced in May.
Submission information is available at www.usccb.org/religious-liberty-essay.


2023 Father Charles Irvin Memorial Writing Scholarship
FAITH Catholic is pleased to sponsor a writing scholarship contest for Catholic high school seniors within the dioceses of FAITH’s publishing partners.
The 2023 essay subject is:  Tell us about the person in whom you most see the face of Christ.
Here are the specifics:

  • Applicants: Catholic high school seniors who are students at a diocesan Catholic high school and/or who are active participants in their parish’s youth group/religious education program.
  • Essay length: 800-1200 words
  • Entries due: March 17, 2023 
  • Scholarship: One $1,500 first prize
  • Judges: FAITH and other publications editorial staff 

Submissions must be sent by Director of Religious Formation, Catholic Youth Minister, Catholic high-school teacher, or pastor. Direct student submissions will not be considered. 


Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Weekend
Rachel’s Vineyard is hosting a retreat April 21 at 2 PM to April 23 at 2 PM at the Augustine Center in Conway. The weekend is a chance to get away from daily pressures to focus on buried emotions of the past and walls that have limited our lives due to the effects of abortion. Rachel's Vineyard provides a confidential, non-judgmental, safe, and caring environment for men and women seeking healing, restoration and renewal. The weekend will help your soul find a voice and transform the pain of the past into hope and love.

Cost for the weekend is $170 per participant, which includes two-night accommodations, meals and retreat material.

(Financial Help is Available)

To register or if you have questions, contact Jane O’Brien or Kristyn Lent
Jane O’Brien: 231-675-1715 or jobrien4611@gmail.com
Kristyn Lent: 231-838-8383 or klent@charter.net

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Stewardship by the Book
The blind man was willing to let Jesus minister to him and willingly did all Jesus asked of him. The Pharisees were more resistant to His message, spending their time and energy to disprove the miracle. Which am I more like, the man born blind or the Pharisees?


Vocation View
If we can’t see where we are going, we’ll never get there. The Good Shepherd leads us to green pastures, refreshes our souls and brings light to a darkened world.


Stewardship Reflections
“Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7

How often do we invest our time, talent and treasure in creating an appearance that does not matter at all to God?  We strive to impress with our clothing, home, career, possessions, car and other marks of distinction.  But none of these illusions of greatness will impress God.  Instead, He will look into our hearts to see how much we loved Him, how much we loved others and how we showed that love by the way we used our time, talent and treasure here on earth.


Michigan Young Adult Hiking & Rafting Pilgrimage 2023
Join young adults from across Michigan for a weekend pilgrimage adventure. Enter into the peace only Jesus can give while meeting new friends and experiencing the beauty of northern Michigan this summer.

  • Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23, 2023
  • For ages 18-39
  • Camping at Cheboygan State Park on beautiful Lake Huron
  • Rafting on the Sturgeon River
  • 10-mile pilgrimage hike culminating with a Eucharistic procession to the Shrine of the Cross in the Woods
  • Mass, prayer, and the opportunity to meet friends and grow in your faith
  • Registration deadline: July 1. Spaces fill up fast. Reserve your spot today!

Information and Registration at pilgrimage2023.eventbee.com
Sponsored by the (Arch)Dioceses of Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw, and Gaylord. Open to all young adults throughout Michigan and beyond.


Family Perspective by Bud Ozar
Failure to forgive blinds us to another’s goodness. Lent provides an opportunity to wash away our blindspots in the pool of forgiveness. Listen to Jesus in today’s gospel: “Go wash and see.”