St. Edith Stein c o m m u n i t y n e w s l e t t e r Lent 2012 Friday Night Stations of the Cross March 23rd & 30th 7:00 p.m. in the Church This prayerful evening helps us remember the 14 key events that took place on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Friday Night Fish Fry Dinner March 23rd & 30th 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Carmel Hall The Knights of Columbus will serve all you can eat fish dinners. The price is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 12 years old. Communal Penance Service March 22, 2012 7:00 p.m. in the Church 12 priests have been asked to join Father Kulma in hearing confessions. There will be a short prayer service, followed by individual confessions. Good Friday: Living Stations of the Cross April 6, 2012 Noon in the Church Join us for this moving experience, as High School students, involved in our Youth Ministry program, act out the Stations of the Cross. Lent offers us a wonderful time to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in baptism. In our busy world, it’s important to find time during the Lenten season to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for our sins and to be generous to those in need. Listed below are some opportunities to increase prayer time, offer penance and share in community here at St. Edith Stein. Be sure to check out the back page for the Holy Week and Easter Schedule as well as other important dates coming up.
Transcript
St. Edith Stein
c o m m u n i t y n e w s l e t t e r
Lent 2012
Friday Night Stations of the Cross March 23rd & 30th
7:00 p.m. in the Church This prayerful evening helps us remember the 14 key events that took place on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Friday Night Fish Fry Dinner March 23rd & 30th
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Carmel Hall The Knights of Columbus will serve all you can eat fish dinners. The price is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 12 years old.
Communal Penance Service March 22, 2012
7:00 p.m. in the Church 12 priests have been asked to join Father Kulma in hearing confessions. There will be a short prayer service, followed by individual confessions.
Good Friday: Living Stations of the Cross April 6, 2012
Noon in the Church Join us for this moving experience, as High School students, involved in our Youth Ministry program, act out the Stations of the Cross.
Lent offers us a wonderful time to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in baptism. In our busy world, it’s important to find time during the Lenten season to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for our sins and to be generous to those in need. Listed below are some opportunities to increase prayer time, offer penance and share in community here at St. Edith Stein.
Be sure to check out the back page for the Holy Week and Easter Schedule as well as other important dates coming up.
Confirmation Retreat
YAM : Young Adult Ministry
32 high school students who are preparing for their Confirmation recently attended a weekend retreat at Camp Cho-Yeh and Conference Center in Livingston, Texas. Youth Director Chazz Sheffield says “the retreat is very important for teenagers because it offers a time for them to get away from their daily routines, so they can focus on their relationship with God.” Please keep this group in your prayers. They will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on May 21, 2012.
Dear St. Edith Stein Family, I wanted to take a moment and tell you about the great things happening in YAM945 at St. Edith Stein. YAM945 is our church’s College/ Young Adult ministry that started back in August of last year. There was a group of young adults, age 18-29 that came together and decided we needed to form a ministry that was geared towards our age and period in life.
We currently meet every Sunday morning at 9:45 in the Faith Formation building at the church in room 102. We get together and have tons of fun with fellowship and we do tons of great activities as well! YAM has impacted my life directly because there is a place I can go to experience and hang with others my age that understand the place I am at in life. There’s a group of people who like to do the same things I do and we all have a ball together! I love being a part of this group and we are looking to add more people to make it even better! YAM will be a place you will be welcomed and a place where you can grow! We have some exciting things going on at YAM so come check us out on Sunday mornings at 9:45 in room 102! Sincerely, Rebecca Mundy
Confirmation Retreat
Called by the Spirit & Led by the Lord
This Easter, St. Edith Stein parish will welcome a diverse group of twenty-four men, women, and young people into full communion with the Church. These wonderful people are members of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children, also known as the RCIA and RCIC. They have been meeting for several months to pray and prepare to receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on April 7, 2012. But what exactly is the RCIA? What is the purpose of this ministry? The RCIA has its roots in the practice of the early Church, when converts to Christianity underwent a period of intense reflection and study before their initiation into the Church at Easter. At the Second Vatican Council, there was a renewed interest by the bishops in this ancient rite, and the modern RCIA was the result. Today, it is the way that most people over the age of seven are welcomed into the Church. The RCIA is also a ministry of reconciliation, where people who have been baptized in other Christian denominations are welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church. It also serves as a “welcome home” ministry for non-practicing Catholics who wish to return to active participation in the life of the Church. Finally, the RCIA is a call to every baptized person to renew our commitment to Christ. The members of our RCIA are “living signs” of our on-going call to personal conversion and renewal. As we pray for the members of our RCIA this Lenten season, may we open our hearts to receive Christ’s call on our lives, too. If you or someone you know would like more information about becoming a part of our RCIA ministry, please contact Amy Auzenne in the Faith Formation Office at 281-492-7500 or [email protected].
“We are the Church / happy to be / the children in God’s family…” If you frequent our Sunday morning Masses at St. Edith Stein, you have probably sung this song many times. You may have listened to the cantor as she invited parents with young children to visit our parish nursery. You may even have walked past our Children’s Church room in the Formation Building and wondered what happens there. Our children’s ministry is a vibrant and active part of the life of our parish. We caught up with a few of the men and women who serve in these important ministries, and asked them
Stewardship Spotlight Children’s Ministries: Building God’s Church, one child at a time!
(Ages six weeks through 5th grade)
Children’s Church is a mass-readiness program where children from three through kindergarten aged learn about God. Through participation in Children’s church, children learn how to listen and participate in mass through age appropriate activities and lessons while having fun with other children their own age.
Why do you minister with Children’s Church?
“I want children to realize church can be fun. Children can get what the adults get out of church on their own level.” Toie Venable, Children’s Church Catechist for five years.
“I want the children to have a good start in here so that they can build a strong relationship with the
church.” - Bob Morrison, new Children’s Church Catechist.
Why did you become a CLOW minister?
“I wanted to do more than just attend Mass and being a
CLOW leader gave me the opportunity to do my small part of
spreading the “Good News”. It’s a small commitment a month
compared to the great joy I receive when I see the children
soaking up the Gospel and participating in the discussion.” - Diane Phillips, CLOW Minister for 12 years.
The Nursery is where children from six weeks through three years old learn about God while their parents are at Mass or a meeting. The children have fun, play, and learn about God all in a clean, safe, and loving environment.
What do you enjoy most about working in the Nursery?
“I love the children. They are like my own children.” - Esperanza Tumamac, Nursery Minister for five years. “The children are like sponges. They absorb everything. I really enjoy watching them grow.” - Norman Davis, Nursery Minister, Young Children’s Minister for eight years.
Children’s Liturgy
of the Word, or CLOW, is
open to all children in elementary school and is offered during most Sunday morning masses. Children are gathered during the Mass before the readings and led to the Narthex and Carmel Hall where they hear the scriptures and talk about them on their level with adult catechists. The children return to Mass to celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
“ I am amazed with what the children have to offer. I’m quite certain many in our parish have a
feeling deep down in their heart to participate in CLOW. I don’t think they realize that they don't have
to be perfect with this.” - Dennis Kotlar If you are interested in joining our Children’s Ministries Team, please contact Diane Flynn or Amy Auzenne in the Faith Formation Office.
“Because adults are willing to
show them how much their own
faith means to them, the children
will remember the lessons into
their teens and beyond. If people
realized how much support the
catechists receive from the site
online with the lesson plans for
the particular liturgy they will be
celebrating, more would come
forward to assist in it.” - Curt Connolly, CLOW Minister for over 30 years
The goal of this article is to provide a Lenten time of reflection that will resonate throughout our blessed parish, a reflection to inspire us to action, a reflection to touch the depths of our heart and move our soul. Our Patron Saint ,Edith Stein, was born on October 12, 1891 to Jewish parents. She earned her doctorate in philosophy, graduated Suma Cum Laude and became a member of the faculty at Freiburg. Her search for the Truth led her to the Catholic Church where she was baptized on January 1, 1922 (only 90 years ago). Edith Stein was a well-respected philosopher and author. Wanting to do more for her
persecuted people, she joined the Discalced Carmelie Nuns’ cloistered community at Cologne-Lindenthal on Octo-ber 14, 1933. On Easter Sunday 1935, Edith Stein (Teresia Benedicta ac Cruce) made her Profession of Vows. On August 2, 1942 she was taken by the Nazi’s from Holland, and was transported to Auschwitz death camp in a deplorable cattle car. She was killed in the gas chamber on August 9, 1942 (only 70 years ago). She be-came Saint Edith Stein on October 11, 1998. St. Edith Stein had many beautiful quotes. Three are offered in this article. Please reflect and be moved to action by each. A place has been set up for us to share our thoughts and feelings, movements and actions at http://sesstewardship.blogspot.com. You may also access the blog from our parish website, stedithstein.org. To-gether we can continue God’s work in the world. As you are moved to make a difference, your action will bring inspiration to others. Quote #1 “The nation doesn’t simply need what we have; it needs what we are.”
What does this quote mean to you? What does “needs what we are” mean to you? What are we? What determines who you are? How is “who we are” reflected to all those who see us? Who is the nation? What if we replaced the word nation with the word family? What if we replaced the word nation with the word parish? What other words would you replace nation with, and why? What gifts do you have that you keep to yourself instead of sharing with others? Quote #2: “Let go of your plans. The first hour of your morning belongs to God. Tackle the day’s work
that He charges you with, and He will give you the power to accomplish it.”
In our hurry up world, what does this say to you? Why “let go of your plans”? What if you have lots of plans? “The first hour of your morning belongs to God.” Why? If you don’t have an hour in the morning how can you still honor this idea? Is it worth your time? Has there ever been a time that you didn’t have the power to tackle something and all of a sudden you did? What happened? What are some of “your plans” that are getting in the way of God’s plan for you? Quote #3: “I believe that the deeper one is drawn into God, the more one must ‘go out of oneself’; that is,
one must go to the world in order to carry the divine life into it.”
What does this say to you? Let’s split this one into two parts…. What does it mean, “I believe that the deeper one is drawn into God, the more one must ‘go out of oneself?’” What are some ways that you can “go out of oneself” to be drawn deeper to God? What does it mean, “one must go to the world in order to carry the divine life into it?” Why is this so important? What kind of difference can one person make to this world? What does it take from each individual to carry divine life into the world? There are many opportunities to be moved to action in our parish. One is on April 28th and 29th during our Ministry Fair. There will be booths set up on the plaza showcasing many of the amazing ministries that need your help. “The nation doesn’t simply need what we have; it needs what we are.” There is a ministry that needs what you are, and if you don’t find a match, you should contact the parish office at 281.492.7500. The parish office will seek to match your talents to the needs of the parish. “One must go to the world in order to carry the divine life into it.” As St. Edith said, “Let go of your plans…He will give you the power to accomplish it.” May we be moved to action and bless us all with what you are! Remember: You have what you are, let go of your plans, and carry the divine life into the world! God Bless You! Bill Handlin, on behalf of the SES Stewardship Council
Saint Edith Stein: A Lenten Reflection
St. Edith Stein Catholic Church
10th Annual Gala
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Dinner, Dancing, Live Auction & Casino 7:00 pm - Midnight
MUD Building on Saums Road Must be 21 years or older to attend
*Tickets are $30.00 per person and will go on sale after all
Masses on: March 31 - April 1 & April 14 - 15.
Auctioneer: Father Patrick Garrett
Live Auction Items: Cajun Dinner
Reserved Parking Spaces Day at the Lake Crawfish Boil
& Many More!
*Space is limited, so buy your tickets early to enjoy this exciting evening of fun & fellowship!!! All proceeds benefit St. Edith Stein.
