1st Sunday of Lent - February 26, 2023

Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake

Office Hours: Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday 1-3:00 pm
Office Phone:  306-236-5122 
Cell Phone: 306-304-7271

Parish Email: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake
Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/
Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5  

Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned. Psalm 51 Refrain
 
 
February 26, 2023 - 1st Sunday of Lent
 
Our Vision:
A Community of Disciples

Our Mission
We commit to form disciples who joyfully and faithfully
live out the mission of Jesus Christ
by enriching our relationship with God and neighbour
through the intercession of Our Lady of Peace.

Pastor: 
Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI
Parish Secretary:
Pat Bencharski
Pastoral Council Chair:
 


Mass Intentions

When there is a funeral, the daily mass will normally be cancelled.  Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information.  On Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday, Our Lady of Peace masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Mon., Feb. 27 – No mass

Tues., Feb. 28 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Allison Dawn Morin by Audrey & Gilbert Griffith

Wed., Mar. 1 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +John Ridsdale by Audrey & Gilbert Griffith

Thurs., Mar. 2– 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Etienne DeLaRonde by Audrey & Gilbert Griffith

Fri., Mar. 3 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Agnes Marie Morin by Audrey & Gilbert Griffith

Sat., Mar. 4 – 5:00 pm (St. Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God

Sun., Mar. 5 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Liturgy at the Lodge on Tuesdays will begin again March 7
2. Beginning February 13, the secretary’s hours will be from 1:00 to 3:00 Tuesday to Friday.
3. Please pray for the people impacted by the earthquakes  in Turkey and Syria and the surrounding area.

 
Sunday Collection – February 19:  Meadow Lake $1145.25         Green Lake – No mass
                                   
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for February – For parishes – We pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.
 
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for March – For victims of abuse – We pray for those who have suffered harm from members of the Church; may they find within the Church herself a concrete response to their pain and suffering.
 
40 Cans for Lent Project – Once again this year we are asking everyone to donate one can of food per day for the 40 days of Lent. This project has marked our Lenten practice for a number of years. We have donated thousands of pounds of food to the Door of Hope. Just before Easter the food will be taken to the Door of Hope. Help us make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters here in Meadow Lake who struggle to feed their families. Please feel free to bring your non-perishable food to the Parish Church at mass times or to the Parish Office during Office Hours. Feel free to encourage your friends to also make a contribution to our project. Many thanks for your generosity.
 
Friday, March 3 - World Day of Prayer will be celebrated at 1:00 PM in Good Shepherd/Holy Trinity Church. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this ecumenical service. The theme for this year is “I Have Heard About Your Faith”.
The World Day of Prayer is observed annually on the first Friday in March. It is an invitation for Christians to pause and pray together ecumenically. This recalls our Christian responsibility to be sensitive to the signs of the times so that we might bring a more authentically Christian dimension to the concerns of our world, our country, our community. Sponsored by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada and its national counterparts around the world, it is celebrated in approximately 165 countries.  Taken from Ordo page 165
 
Thank you to all who supported the Knights of Columbus BINGO – A special word of thanks to the Knights of Columbus and to all those who came out to support the Knights of Columbus Bingo. While it is great to win a prize and to play bingo, it is also a great time to visit and enjoy some time together. Stay tuned for information about the next KofC Bingo event.
 
Taize Evenings – Join us on Tuesday evenings for 45 minutes of Taize prayer and reflection. Our prayer begins after mass at about 7:10 pm. Our Taize evenings begin on Tuesday, February 28th.
 
Winter Fun Day – What are you doing on Sunday, March 5th   from 2 – 4 pm? Come and join us in the Parish Parking lot for fun and games. There will be a fire for those who would like to roast marshmallows or hotdogs, the Parish Hall will be open for coloring, for card games, hot chocolate, snacks and visiting. In addition, there will be a number of outdoor games including a street hockey game! We will also have some good tunes to enjoy the outdoor weather. Please say a wee prayer so the weather is good for our gathering! If you are willing to help out, please call the parish office. If the temperature is below -15 then the day will be postponed. Let us pray for -15 or warmer!
 
St. Patrick’s Day – Irish Stew Potluck Supper – On Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 pm you are invited to bring your best version of Irish Stew. You may also bring “mashed potatoes” or salads or Bannock/baking powder biscuits or buns. We will provide the coffee, tea, and GREEN water. Since it is LENT, we will not have desserts, and since March 17 is on a Friday, we will anticipate the Feast Day so we can enjoy the stew. If you are willing to help organize things for our Potluck, please call the Parish Office. Come and join us for some Irish food, music, and humor. Let us enjoy the company of one another as we gather for this fun moment.
 
Large Print Bibles – Fr. Doug purchased a number of large print New Revised Standard Catholic Bibles. They are available at the parish office for $50.00 per Bible. Hope your Bible reading is going well!
 
Season of Lent
     The first reading on each Sunday of Lent takes us on a journey through salvation history, offering models of sin, repentance, and God’s overflowing mercy. On the First Sunday of Lent, for example, we hear proclaimed Genesis 2:7 – 9; 3:1 – 7, the fall of humankind. From the Second Sunday on, we visit Old Testament narratives including the testing of Abraham, Moses and the Israelites grumbling and lost in the wilderness, and the anointing of King David. Repentance is a turning away from the sins and mistakes of the past and a turning toward God. Thus, hearing the stories of salvation history reminds us of these sins and invites us to walk in God’s path. Reflecting on the history of salvation throughout Lent guides us toward the mighty Easter Vigil liturgy.
     The psalms of Lent share the message of god’s mercy and the people’s redemption. On the Second Sunday of Lent we hear, “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you” (Ps 33:22). Examples like this remind us that penance does not mean sadness; like the season of Advent, Lent is not absent of joy. We take joy, as does the psalmist, in God’s mercy and love! Too often, our Lenten practices equate to a transactional “payment” so that God may forgive us and deem us worthy. This is not the goal of Lent, nor is it a properly Catholic understanding of salvation and redemption. In critiquing these misunderstandings of penance, theologian Martin Connell writes, “Lent is an opportunity for the community of faith to pause and reawaken to the bounty of god’s love” (Eternity Today, volume 2, p. 57). The goal of this season is to deepen our communal and individual awareness that God deeply loves us, and as our awareness deepens, so too do our relationships. Connell continues, “[These Lenten disciplines] are meant to keep hearts beating and engaged in the world, to keep them from turning to stone, and to keep the senses alert for the fullest revelation of the gifts of God.” It is far too easy to forget God’s merciful love. It’s harder still to come to know and trust in this love, especially when fear and doubt play their part. Therein lies the meaning of Lenten penance.
     In addition to penance, this season focuses on recalling and preparing for baptism. Alongside the catechumens, who are in an intense season of discernment and preparation during Lent, the entire Church recalls baptism. This is a fitting time for liturgy teams to offer liturgical catechesis, formation sessions on the sacraments (particularly baptism), and/or small-group sessions such as Bible study or lectio divina groups. Much of the scriptural imagery of the season prepares us well to engage our baptisms. On the Second Sunday of Lent, we read Matthew’s account of the transfiguration. Moses, Elijah, and Jesus stand illuminated and unified as models of the priesthood, prophetic role, and royal household. Likewise, the readings on the Fourth Sunday of Lent remind us to walk in the light of God’s love.
     Finally, a word about Holy Week: Palm Sunday brings us quickly and vibrantly onto the final path toward Easter. As liturgists work hard in preparing Triduum liturgies, this is an important time to root ourselves in the spirituality of Holy Week’s rituals. Pope Francis said in his 2020 Lenten message, “Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.” As we hear again the story of Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem, his feasting with the disciples, and his suffering and death, let us remember two things: first, the least among us continue to suffer and die; and second, the story does not end here – hope remains. Our prayer for this season is to unite our Lenten disciplines with the needs of the world, so that those living in suffering today may experience hope, love, and the mercy of God.
                        Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2023, pg. 104
 
Scripture Insights – 1st Sunday of Lent 
Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2023:  The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2022, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 112.
 
            The story of creation ends with the temptation and sin of Adam and Eve. This dramatic event sets the tone for the many more stories of God’s intervention in human events – an intervention that is merciful despite human weakness.
              Today we sing one of the familiar penitential psalms, a cry for God’s mercy we have all voiced. The psalmist does not pray as one without hope. This prayer trusts in the compassion of God and it would be suitable for every day of Lent.
              Paul compares the act of “one man” (Rom 5:12; who is Adam, mentioned in the longer reading) with that of another man, Jesus. The transgression of Adam has been overcome by the “gracious gift” of Jesus Christ (5:15). The inheritance of death has been conquered by the grace of redemption.
              In Scripture, the desert is a place of testing and isolation; there Jesus encounters the devil. Like all temptation, this one appeals to Jesus’ self-identity. The devil begins with the phrase, “If you are . . . “(Mt 4:3, 6). He’s inviting Jesus to flaunt his identity and his mission, perhaps even challenging its genuineness. Matthew places this event right after Jesus’ baptism, when he was called “beloved” by the heavenly voice and from there began his ministry. Lent becomes for us a time to remember who we are: baptized in the Lord for the work of the Lord.
 

• On this first Sunday of Lent, we hear stories about temptation and sin: Eve in the Garden and Jesus in the desert. Yet rarely do we experience sin in such dramatic and straightforward ways. Often our sins are difficult to recognize and harder to acknowledge. What could help us learn how sin is working in our life?
• We are reminded today that it is not “bread alone” that feeds us (Mt 4:4). We are called to a deeper reality – a union and communion with the Word made flesh whose love for us is so great that he suffered and died so that we could live.

 
DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND
 
Food for Thought from our Diocesan Liturgy Commission! The Ministry of Jesus and the Ministry of the Assembly (Continued from January): What was Jesus’ ministry? It consisted primarily in teaching and healing. Jesus always acted for God; he always followed the will of the Father. Jesus’ service to the people whom he encountered was a sacrament of God’s own service to these people. He always acted for God in meeting the needs of those around him. He was truly interested in the people who came to him and showed concern for their needs. There was so much suffering, pain and brokenness in the lives of people that Jesus’ ministry was one of deep compassion: he truly suffered with his brothers and sisters. He tried to fight against the evils and oppression that enslave us as human beings: physical disability, poverty, hunger, political and social oppression, physical, and psychological disorders (Luke 6:20-37). He spent his life healing people. Jesus also taught about the kingdom of God and how we can enter into God’s reign. He challenged everyone to conversion and repentance (Luke 7:36-50; 19:1-10). By eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus destroyed the barricades that block the relationship that exists between God and humanity (Mark 2:15-17: Luke 15:1-32). The summit of Jesus’ ministry was his death and resurrection through which he revealed the depth of the Father’s love for the world. Jesus freely chose to experience suffering and death out of love for us. He readily absorbed the evil and hostility that were directed against him and, therefore, overcame the power of evil in the world (John 13:1). Jesus, as the sacrament of divine love, modeled for us how we can overcome the power of sin and evil in our own lives and in the whole of creation.” (Preparing for Liturgy Series / ‘Preparing the Assembly to Celebrate’ by Kim Aldi-Wanner)
 
Rosary and Reflection – Once a month, from 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm, with Bishop Stephen beginning February 25th, March 25th, April 15th, and May 27th! Livestreamed from Prince Albert!
 
Lent 2023 – A message from Christine Taylor, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis February 22, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our 2023 Lenten Journey. Below you will find a link to the Diocesan Family Faith Resource Page where you will find many ideas for your family’s Lenten Journey.
As well, on the OEC webpage, you will find links to Lenten resources for adults, young adults, and families. Please share these ideas broadly with family and friends. Blessings to all as we enter the Lenten Journey.
The Family Resource page has been updated with many ideas for you and your family’s Lenten journey. 
To view these and other resources go to the following Diocesan webpage:
Family Faith  Resources | RC Diocese of Prince Albert (padiocese.ca)
 
From Development and Peace – Michael Leblanc (Development and Peace Animator for Saskatchewan and the Archdiocese of Keewatin-LePas):
Greetings and blessings from our Development & Peace Regional Office located in beautiful Saskatoon!
The weather is warmer and I can see the beautiful sunshine falling all around us. It feels like Spring may just be around the corner.
So it is with our Canadian Catholic development organization. At Development and Peace – Caritas Canada we are experiencing our own springtime through our new 2023 campaign. In Create Hope: Stand for the Land we are going to hear from our partners in Colombia & Honduras who are demonstrating their social commitment to “Stand for the Land” using audiovisual media to broadcast their message to advocate for Care of Creation. You can read more about their actions here, in our yearly mini-magazine.
What can we do to show our solidarity with our Sisters and Brothers in the Global South? In our parishes, our homes & our schools we are mobilizing for our Share Lent 2023 campaign.
On Saturday, February 25th at 12:30 pm our campaign officially kicks off with a Zoom webinar – our partners’ voices Alvin Hernandez & Raquel Soto (the face of our 2023 Campaign) will be sharing their testimony as we all rally for solidarity. Register for this event here.