FEATURED SECTIONS IN THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER
Lenten & Formation Offerings | Youth Ministry | Pastoral Care | Women's Ministry | Children's Ministry
Check out last month's "Honor Thy Children," the Safe Environment Newsletter.
*Lenten Offerings are below in purple*
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 It’s time to Spring Forward!
Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th at 2:00 am!
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JOB OPENING: MAINTENANCE POSITION
St. Margaret Mary Parish / School is looking for a full-time maintenance person who has a working knowledge of maintenance, repair and service of the grounds and facilities of a school and church. This person must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and take appropriate actions. Ideal candidate should be motivated and possess great interpersonal skills. Responsibilities also include grounds keeping duties, room set-up, and custodial functions. Must be able to use related tools, lift over 50 pounds, climb ladders, and assist with snow removal. Applicants should send a resume to Pat Butner, at pbutner@stmm.org
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FASTING REGULATION: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, those who are 18 but not yet 60 are allowed only one full meal. Two smaller meals are allowed as needed, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.
ABSTINENCE REGULATION: Those who are 14 years of age or older are to abstain from meat on all the Fridays of Lent.
When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are universal days of both fasting and abstinence from eating meat.
Abstinence is also observed on all Fridays of Lent. Catholics age 14 & older are bound to observe abstinence regulations except for serious reasons; Catholics age 18-59 are bound to observe fasting regulations except for serious reasons. For all other weekdays of Lent, the Church encourages fasting, either in the traditional sense of through some other form of self-denial determined by conscience. Other devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross, the rosary, scripture study, participation in daily Mass, & service to those in need, are strongly recommended. (CLL #1249-1253; USCCB Pastoral Statement on Penance & Abstinence)
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 40 DAYS FOR LIFESt. Margaret Mary’s day is THURSDAY, MARCH 5 - 7AM to 7PM
From February 26 - April 5, you are invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life– 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. On March 5 from 7AM-7PM, all SMM parishioners are invited to stand & peacefully pray during this 40-day vigil outside of EMW Women’s Surgical Center, 138 W. Market Street. SIGN UP with Joan Barnell, 267-0752 or click here.
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 STATIONS OF THE CROSSThere is a wonderful prayer devotion that is available anytime you come to church, any day of the year, the chance to reflect upon and pray about the journey that Jesus made for us on His way to Calvary, it is the Stations of the Cross. The 14 stations are on the pillars around the church, prayer booklets are always available for private devotional prayer.
 FISH FRIES
Also it is worth noting that the Fish Fries are scheduled the first 4 Fridays of Lent so it is possible to follow the devotion and stay for a fish dinner or carry out. Click here to view the menu!
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 WATERSTEP SHOE COLLECTIONThis year our WaterStep Shoe Collection for the SMM Church will be Sat.& Sun., March 7/8. The SMM families & children will collect shoes the previous week, March 2-6. Please gather all your unwanted, unused, even unusable shoes, secure them in pairs, bag them, and deliver to our facility. Thank you so much, in advance. This will help provide shoes and clean water to many Third World countries!!
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 HARP CONCERTSunday, March 8th at 2:30 p.m.
The Debussy Harp Ensemble from the Sacred Heart School for the Arts will play a recital in the SMM Church. The group includes 4-5 Harps plus violin playing a variety of ensemble pieces and solos, and features an arrangement of Hickory Dickory Dock played on the Baby Harps. You will want to see and hear these young harpists in action!
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 SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT
A Day of Reflection, God's Perpetual invitation to renewal
Saturday, March 14 | 9:30 am-1:30 pm in the Hospitality Room
(9:00 continental breakfast & gathering) – Lunch ProvidedThere is wonder in the natural seasons that surround us, and wisdom in recognizing the spiritual seasons within us. What Spiritual Season are you experiencing now? What is the promise of the Season that awaits? Come join us as we learn to appreciate the primordial rhythm of creation, and God’s design for transformation and renewal both around us, and within us. Dawn Della Bella (M.P.S. in Religion & Ecology) will be the retreat leader for this day of renewal & refreshment. RSVP by Monday, March 9th to Dawn Della Bella, 690-2827
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 RECYCLING COLLECTIONSunday, March 15th @ 10 AM & Noon Masses
The 2nd Grade Step by Step ministry, which is “Taking Care of God’s Creation,” is participating in the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program (Terracycle program). Please help support this program by bringing in any of the items listed below to mass on March 15. A collection bin will be located at the entrance of the church during 10am and Noon masses on March 15. We are hoping to collect enough items to earn funds for the purchase of a tree for the SMM campus or at the very least reduce landfill waste. Once collected, the tubes and brushes are separated by composition, shredded and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled product. Accepted waste includes any brand of the following: toothpaste tubes & caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, & floss containers. (Electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and/or their parts are not recyclable through the program.) Please make sure all leftover toothpaste & floss has been removed.
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 NEW PARISHIONER MEETING
Sunday, March 15 | 1:00 p.m. | LibraryOn behalf of our parish staff and entire parish community, we hope you have been blessed thus far during this season of Lent. If over the past year you and your family planted your roots in our Catholic Community, you took an important step in providing for your family’s formational and spiritual needs. I want to extend an invitation to you & your family to join us at a new parishioner orientation in the Hospitality Room on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 PM (following the 12 Noon Mass). The Hospitality Room is located off the hallway where you enter to go to the Parish Office. St. Margaret Mary is a vibrant and dynamic parish and I want to share with you the many good things about our Community of faith and answer any questions about the parish that you or family members may have. Even if you joined six months ago, you might still have some questions about how to become involved in our parish or questions about “how we do things” in our parish.
In order to accommodate preparation of some snacks, please RSVP with the number of adults/children attending by Wednesday, March 11th to Candy Nieves at cnieves@stmm.org or 502-426-1588. If you’re unable to attend, you are always welcome at a future one. I look forward to meeting you March 15th!
Your Servant In Christ, Fr. Bill
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 REGIONAL RECONCILIATIONThis Lent, St. Margaret Mary will host the regional service, it is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at 3:00 PM. Plan now to share in God's loving mercy and healing forgiveness. The sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturday afternoons from 3:30-4:30. The sacrament is also available any day or time of the week by appointment with a priest. Because many make the sacrament a regular part of their Lenten practices, the priests of the region try to schedule one site where many of us come together to offer a communal prayer time and individual confessions.
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 TAIZE PRAYER SERVICEGathered together in the presence of Christ, simple and repetitive songs will be sung along with the proclamation of scripture, veneration of the cross, incense and the lighting of candles. We invite you to come experience Taize Prayer as a part of your Lenten practice. This is a prayer form that offers a beautiful simplicity with repetition that enhances the meditative quality of the prayer. Come – See – Hear – Pray
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 DIVINE MERCY RETREATJourney into the heart of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s Little Way with a 33 Days to Merciful Love group retreat. This 7-week parish retreat includes daily readings written by renowned speaker & author Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC & weekly group discussion. Culminates in a consecration to Divine Mercy. Join us on Sundays, March 15-April 19 from 9-10 AM in the Spirituality Center. The cost is $15. For more info or to RSVP, contact Bryan Cain at bcain@stmm.org
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 FRANCISCAN KITCHEN EASTER DINNER COLLECTIONPlease help us serve the poor, the hungry & the homeless.
SIGN-UP DEADLINE: SUNDAY, MARCH 15th
FOOD DONATIONS DUE: Sunday, March 22 (Deliver donations to SMM Parish Center Hallway between 7:45a.m. - Noon)
FOOD ITEMS NEEDED: Hams, Ham chunks, Green beans, Sweet potatoes, Marshmallows, Brown sugar, Chopped onions, Applesauce, Dinner rolls (ready to eat, not bake & serve), Margarine, Cakes, Pies, Easter Candy
HELPERS NEEDED: Sunday, March 22 - Help needed to receive food donations and load trucks. Drivers with vans/trucks needed to transport donations.
KITCHEN SERVERS NEEDED: Monday, March 23 - Twenty people needed on-site at Franciscan Kitchen to serve meals.
For those unable to contribute a food item but wish to participate, we are also accepting monetary donations for food and the Franciscan Kitchen. Please make check payable to St. Margaret Mary, write “Human Needs Easter Dinner” on the memo line, and place in the collection basket. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!! Questions? Contact Mary Scheiber: (502) 550-3154
St Margaret Mary Human Needs & Concerns Ministry
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DEMENTIA & SPIRITUALITY
Do you minister to or care for someone with dementia? Do you wonder if your presence makes a difference? If so please join us for a presentation by Dr. Benjamin Mast on “Dementia & Spirituality.” Dr. Mast is the Chair and Professor of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences for the University of Louisville. The event is free and will be March 19th at St. Margaret Mary, 7813 Shelbyville Rd, from 7-8 p.m. in the Hospitality Room. Please contact Denise Ruiz with questions - 690-2834 or druiz@stmm.org
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 MOM 2 MOM
Mom 2 Mom provides the opportunity for mothers & children in our parish to meet in a friendly, supportive & Christian environment. We’re open to mothers enjoying all stages of parenthood. So whether you’re pregnant with your first child or just sent your last one to college, we’d love for you to join us each month. No one is a stranger & you are welcome to bring a friend. Here is our current schedule:March 18th - Bunco Night, 6-8 PM (Rachel Lecaps home)
Please RSVP to: SMM.mom2mom@gmail.com
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 WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB
Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spirituality Center
Our 2020 books have been selected. Thank you for everyone’s input – we think you’ll enjoy our varied choices. We meet in the Spirituality Center at 7 pm. Questions, call Jennifer Barker 502.314.9080 or Amy Craft 513.519.1816.
March 19: The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture by Haley Stewart
Amazon Review: “Do you ever feel caught in an endless cycle of working harder and longer to get more while enjoying life less? The Stewart family did—and they decided to make a radical change. …Stewart explains how a year-long internship on a sustainable farm changed her family’s life for the better, allowing them to live gospel values more intentionally. [She] shares essential elements of intentional Christian living that her family discovered during that extraordinary year on the farm and that they continue to practice today. You, too, will be inspired to: live simply, offer hospitality, revive food culture and the family table, reconnect with the land, nurture community, prioritize beauty, develop a sense of wonder, be intentional about technology, seek authentic intimacy, center life around home, family, and relationships. Drawing from Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, Stewart identifies elements of Catholic social teaching that will enhance your life and create a ripple effect of grace to help you overcome the effects of today’s “throwaway” culture and experience a deeper satisfaction and stronger faith.”
April 16: Why I Am Catholic and You Should be Too by Brandon Vogt
May 21: Listen to Your Blessed Mother by Gary Zimak
June 18: He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, SJ |
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