Lent is fast approaching! We need to get ready to enter into Lent in order to benefit from all the graces the Lord intends to give to each of us and to the whole world. The Lord put it on my heart to encourage everyone to make the “Mary’s Mantle Consecration” on Easter Sunday.
This particular consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe has 46 days of preparation due to the fact that the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has 46 stars on her mantle. Further, there happens to be 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. After the 46 days of preparation we will then make the consecration on Easter Sunday. This is a powerful devotion of transforming grace.
The preparation consists in three things:
(1) praying the rosary daily,
(2) fasting one day each week,
(3) Spending some time reflecting on the short meditation provided for each day.
Everything you need for this devotion is contained in your free copy of the “Mary’s Mantle Consecration” book which you can find in the vestibule of the church. ~ Fr. David
The Ash Wednesday Masses are as follows: 8:30am at St. Patrick’s, Noon at St. Mary’s, and 5:30pm at Immaculate Conception with adoration before each Mass. Also, please remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting (One full meal with two small meals that together do not equal one full meal) and a day of abstinence (no meat).
Please join Fr. David and Taryn Watkins this Lent for the “School of Prayer” which will consist of a short teaching on prayer, time for prayer itself, and a brief time of questions and discussion at the end. It will take place on Wednesdays at 6:30pm at Immaculate Conception in Manito beginning on Wednesday, February 24th. All are welcome!
The Stations of the Cross and the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed in each parish, each week of Lent after the following weekday Masses:
Tuesdays after the 5:15pm Mass at Immaculate Conception
Thursdays after the 8:00am Mass at St. Patrick
Fridays after the noon Mass at St. Mary
Each weekend during Lent there will be a Lenten Flyer attached to the bulletin with reflections and activities for you and your family. Please partake!!!
This Lent as an act of charity I am encouraging everyone to reach out to those who are homebound and afraid to leave their homes due to COVID-19. This could consist in visits or phone calls, or sending letters or cards. Please pick someone or some people to intentionally reach out to during this Lent. Thank you ~ Fr. David
Your Annual Diocesan Appeal pledge card was sent to you in the mail. If you have not yet sent in your pledge card please do so as soon as possible, even if your pledge amount is “0”. Below are the current pledge amounts for our parishes. Thank you for your generosity.
St. Patrick’s goal: $15,916………………………………..amount pledged so far: $12,580
Immaculate Conception’s goal: $20,077…………………….amount pledged so far: $11,885
St. Mary’s goal: $5,920………………………………..amount pledged so far: $4,275