Index
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Saint Casimir Parish
MINISTRY
OF PRAISE
March, 2024
St. Casimir Parish
Almighty God,
grant that with the help of St. Casimir’s intercession
we may serve you in holiness and justice.
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PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
INTENTIONS
- That those who risk their lives
for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church
with their courage and missionary drive.
(March
Papal intention)
- That our parish community will be zealous in carrying out good works that draw many into the light of God.
- That those preparing to be received into the Church at Easter will be blessed in every way.
- That we receive the grace to renew and deepen our efforts at genuine repentance.
- That
God bless Father Bacevice and the Pastoral and Finance Councils in
their efforts to secure the future of St. Casimir Parish.
- That
all parishioners recognize their responsibility to St. Casimir Parish’s
future through financial support, fund-raising efforts, commitment to
parish activities, sharing ideas and, most importantly, prayer.
- That the desolate and despondent may experience the saving hand of God in even the most distressing of circumstances.
- That young people in their search for meaning of life may experience true understanding, respect, patience, and love.
- That we use Lent as a time to prepare our hearts for the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
- That our Ministers of Praise be validated in their belief in the power of prayer.
WHAT’S
HAPPENING
AT ST. CASIMIR PARISH
March 1: First Friday Holy Hour 8-9am
(Church)
4: Lenten Cluster Mass at St. Casimir
Parish 7:00pm
11: Lenten Cluster Mass at Holy Redeemer Parish 7:00pm
18: Lenten Cluster Penance Service at Holy Redeemer Parish
7:00pm
24: Palm Sunday - Holy Week begins
31: Easter Sunday
SAINT
FOR MARCH
ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
Virgin
(1858-1955)
March
3rd
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“The patient and humble endurance of the cross—whatever nature it may
be—is the
highest work we have to do.” “Oh, how far I am at 84 years of
age from being an
image of Jesus in his sacred life on earth!” (Katharine Drexel)
Katharine was born into a wealthy family in Philadelphia. She had an
excellent education and traveled widely. Her father, a banker, was a
man of prayer. Her stepmother, Emma Bouvier, influenced Katharine’s
love and concern for the poor. After the death of their father,
Katharine and her sisters began to use their wealth to help others.
At a private audience with Pope Leo XIII in 1887 Katharine spoke of the
need to have more priests work with the American Indians. The pope’s
response was: “Why not, my child, yourself become a missionary?” On
February 12, 1891 Katharine made religious vows as the first Sister of
the Blessed Sacrament for Indian and Colored People. For the next forty
years she directed the work of her Congregation of Sisters. By 1942 St.
Katharine had a system of Black Catholic schools in 13 states, plus 40
mission centers and 23 rural schools. Segregationists harassed her
work, even burning a school in Pennsylvania. In all, she established 50
missions for Indians in 16 states. In 1941 Pope Pius XII described her
work as “a glorious page in the annals of the Church.”
A heart attack in 1939 caused Katharine to slow down and she began 20
years of quiet, intense prayer from a small room overlooking the
sanctuary of the convent church. Small notebooks and slips of paper
record her various prayers, ceaseless aspirations and meditation. She
died at the age of 96 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October
1, 2000.
Sources: IN HIS LIKENESS , Rev. Charles E. Yost, SCJ,
STL and SAINT OF THE DAY, Leonard Foley, O.F.M., Editor
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THOUGHTS FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Death
#1009
Death is transformed by Christ. The Son of God, also himself suffered
the death that is part of the human condition. Yet despite his anguish
as he faced death, he accepted it in an act of complete and free
submission to his Father’s will. The obedience of Jesus has transformed
the curse of death into a blessing.
#1010
Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning: “For to me
to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” “The saying is sure: if we have
died with him, we will also live with him.” What is essentially new
about Christian death is this: through Baptism, the Christian has
already “died with Christ” sacramentally, in order to live a new life;
and if we die in Christ’s grace, physical death completes this “dying
with Christ” and so completes our incorporation into him in his
redeeming act.
REFLECTION |
| DAY BY DAY THROUGH LENT |
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Matthew 18:35
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Take time to identify those you need to forgive. Ask God to bless them with success, good health and peace.
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Deuteronomy 4:7
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Name one way that you will stay connected to God.
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Jeremiah 7:28
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To what command of Jesus have you turned a deaf ear?
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Mark 12:30
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List the most important things in your life. Where did you place faith? Does your list need rearranging?
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Luke 18:13-14
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Today in prayer, humbly admit your sins to God and then seek God’s
forgiveness.
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Luke 15:20
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Remind yourself how much God wants you to be with him.
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Isaiah
65:17
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Bring to the Lord anything you’re holding
back and accept God’s forgiveness.
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John 5:6-7
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Whom have you been blaming for your struggles and hardships?
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Isaiah 49:15
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Tonight, before you sleep, thank God for his never-changing love.
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Exodus 32:12
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What guides your behavior—fear of punishment or fear of disappointing the one who
loves you?
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Wisdom 2:14-15
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Identify one belief or behavior that goes against the norms of society.
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Jeremiah 11:18
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In your prayers today, uncover ways you have been deceptive to God and others.
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Isaiah 43:18
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This Lent, set aside time to go to confession.
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John 8:7
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What stones have you been throwing at others? this Lent, promise to drop the stones.
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Numbers 21:4-5
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Just for today, no more complaining.
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John 8:34
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If you have lost control of an area in your life, promise to seek help.
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Genesis 17:4-5
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Find a Scripture verse that provides
strength and comfort for you.
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Jeremiah 20:10
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Choose one way that you can live out your calling of being a Christian.
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Matthew 1:24
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Anonymously do something for someone else today.
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Philippians 2:8
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In what ways do you struggle to obey God’s commandments?
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