Lenten Gift Story Part 3: The Connections

Lenten Gift Story Part 3: The Connections

When Fr. Gabriel arrived in the St. John-Paul II community in Bamenda, the people had no place to worship together and were hanging on by a thread. He told himself, “We must have a church here.” The people asked him, “Father, how can we have a church here? We have no land, we have nothing.” He answered, “We just pray. God will show us a way.” Fr. Gabriel told them to look for anything – any building, any place someone offers to start their church. A family came to him and said, “Father, we have a piece of land, and a chicken coop…”  

So they cleared out the chickens, cleaned up the building, and started their church. Even this seemed like a small miracle, despite the fact that half of the large and growing congregation had to remain outside during Mass. They continued to dream of and pray for the proper church they would build someday – even if it took 30-40-50 years – where the whole community would be able to worship in together…

Question for the Fourth Week of Lent: Is there an area in your life that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy?

Question for the Fourth Week of Lent: <i>Is there an area in your life that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy?</i>

The parable of the Prodigal Son invites us to consider the relationships in our lives and the extravagant love of God that is offered to each of us. Whether we are lost or found, Jesus says to each of us “you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31)

Is there an area in your life (a relationship, feeling, emotion, or habit) that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy? What would it mean to let God embrace this area of your life?

Watch Monday Evening’s Taizé Prayer and Reconciliation Service

Watch Monday Evening’s Taizé Prayer and Reconciliation Service

Monday night’s program featured outstanding sacred music, scripture, and poetry that spanned the ages of our Catholic tradition. While these elements were woven together, participants were guided into prayer and contemplation surrounding their personal Lenten journey. After, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available to all who wished to receive it. 

The ensemble included Kelly Meraw and William Endicott, and several parishioners served as readers of sacred scripture and poetry along with Fr. Jim and Sister Colleen. Fr. Bryan, Fr. Gabriel, and Fr. Lesley were also on hand to participate in the service and offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  

Many parishioners remark that this evening is one they look forward to all year, because the opportunity for prayer, reflection, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation has become an important part of their personal Lenten journey…

Friday, April 11 at 5:00pm: “Evening for Women” Lenten Retreat at the Sisters of St. Joseph Spirituality Center

Friday, April 11 at 5:00pm: “Evening for Women” Lenten Retreat at the Sisters of St. Joseph Spirituality Center

All women of the Collaborative are warmly invited – dinner will be served and carpool arrangements are available.

WITH FACILITATOR SARA MILONE
Steeped in Jesuit education, Sara received her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, a M.Ed. from Loyola Marymount University, and a M.Div. and Post-Master’s Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Her areas of ministry experience include high school campus ministry and education, parish youth ministry, college and young adult retreats, hospital chaplaincy, adult faith formation and spiritual direction. 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Seasons of Hope: Spring – Begins Monday, March 30

Seasons of Hope: Spring – Begins Monday, March 30

If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are searching for meaning and consolation, we invite you to join a Seasons of Hope group here at the Collaborative. Seasons of Hope is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Catholic Church. The sessions help explore mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection activities, and faith sharing.

Monday Evenings from 5:00 – 6:30pm
March 31, April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12
St. John the Evangelist Church – Powers Hall

Registration Required…

Monday, March 24: Ever Ancient, Ever New – Taizé Prayer Service and Reconciliation

Monday, March 24: Ever Ancient, Ever New – Taizé Prayer Service and Reconciliation

Monday, March 24
7:00-7:45pm at St. John the Evangelist Church

Music, Prayer, and Contemplation followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation

All are invited for an evening of outstanding sacred music, scripture, and poetry that span the ages of our Catholic tradition. While these elements are woven together, participants will be guided into prayer and contemplation surrounding their personal Lenten journey.

Following the liturgy there will be an opportunity for those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Lenten Gift Story Part 2: The Catholic Church in Bamenda, Cameroon

Lenten Gift Story Part 2: The Catholic Church in Bamenda, Cameroon

Christianity is the dominant religion in Cameroon (about two-thirds of the population), with Roman Catholics making up more than half of the Christian population. Cameroon faces numerous crises that threaten its social fabric, which are rooted in the country’s colonial history…

Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, who stayed with us and celebrated Mass at St. Paul Church last year while in the U.S. visiting the scholar priests from his diocese, said, “My churches are all bursting, and I don’t have space to keep the young people… and my shortest Mass would be about two and a half hours.”

Against this backdrop is Build the Faith’s new church project in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, the home diocese of Fr. Gabriel and Fr. Lesley… Both have spoken about the needs of these flourishing faith communities to have physical spaces to worship and to serve as centers of community in these unstable areas…

March 24: Ignatian Volunteer Corps Special Event with Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ (Zoom)

March 24: Ignatian Volunteer Corps Special Event with Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ (Zoom)

Are you retired or finished raising your family? Do you want to give back, enrich your spiritual life, and build community with other mature adults?

Through IVC you can make a difference in your community while living out the values of St. Ignatius of Loyola. As a member of the IVC, you’ll have the opportunity to serve those in need one or two days a week while also participating in spiritual formation in a community of peers who share a commitment to service.

Join us for a free virtual Info Session on Monday, March 24 at 3:00pm with Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ – founder of Homeboy Industries and a passionate advocate for community transformation…

Question for the Second Week of Lent: What promise is God inviting you to listen to and believe in this week?

Question for the Second Week of Lent: <i>What promise is God inviting you to listen to and believe in this week?</i>

This week’s readings about Abraham’s covenant with God and Jesus’s Transfiguration reveal that the divide between heaven and earth is sometimes smaller than we think. God is inviting us to listen and believe. 

What promise is God inviting you to listen to and believe in this week? What prevents you from believing in the promises of God?

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