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March 31st, 2023

Embrace the Grace - Weekly Reflection

The title of a book by Marc Foley comes back to me again and again. The book is called “The Love that Keeps us Sane.”

Fr. Marc writes about the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux. The title alone speaks volumes. Authentic love does, indeed, keep us sane. The First Letter of John reminds us, “God is love.” We believe God to be a divine relationship of love: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

A society that turns away from God, a society that rejects God, a society that denies God is a society moving toward insanity. We forget who we are as human beings. We forget whose we are. We lose sight of the inherent dignity of every person, and in turn, we become an inconvenience to one another. “Get out of my way.”

We are called to be in relationship with God. This is truly the Love that keeps us sane. This is why we pray. This is why we live a sacramental life. This is why we read sacred scripture. This is why we perform the corporeal works of mercy and the spiritual works of mercy. This is why we spend time being still and quiet, so that we can heard the whisper of God speaking heart to heart, “I love you.”

As we begin Holy Week this Sunday (Palm Sunday), consider where you are in your relationship with God. Is God just another box to check amidst all the other boxes we have to check during the week, or is God the primary love of your life? Is God the Love that keeps you sane?



Fr. Bob

PALM SUNDAY'S BULLETIN
Pick up our new Two Holy Martyrs Parish prayer card this Palm Sunday at either church narthex. This prayer card includes the official THM logo.
MASS INTENTIONS
 
It is an ancient and noble practice to pray for the living and the dead at Mass. The greatest and most powerful prayer we have is the Mass since the fruits of the Mass are the very fruits of Jesus' redemption made present to us. Therefore, many of us seek to book a Mass intention for our loved ones. In our parish, there are many requests for scheduling Mass intentions.

Guidelines for Mass Intentions
  1. A Mass intention may be requested for a Mass for the following reasons:
    1. A deceased loved one.
    2. A living person who is sick or suffering.
    3. A living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special moments in their life.
    4. In thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit).
    5. In thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint.
    6. Or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).
  2. A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine.
  3. There is a limit of four (4) intentions per Mass. If a given Mass has four intentions on a given day, please choose another Mass.
  4. Lengthy intention listings cannot be published in the Bulletin and must be edited for brevity. Since publishing the intention in the Bulletin is to notify the family and friends of the intention, we suggest omitting middle initials, titles, etc. Each intention is limited to either two names or one group. Please indicate if the person for whom the Mass is requested is living or deceased.
  5. A $10 donation is to accompany each Mass request. Intentions will not be recorded until the stipend is received. Canon Law requires that all stipends taken for Mass Intentions be said for the intention as designated.
  6. Please note that Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays, and weekdays throughout the year.  Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, News Years Day. One Mass every Sunday and one Mass on a Holy Day of Obligation must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners, known as Pro Populo (For the People), as required by Canon Law.
  7. Announced Mass requests will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled.
**Mass intention requests to be published in the bulletin must be submitted to the parish office by Monday at 12 PM before the proceeding weekend’s liturgy.**
Sign-up online! Once we have enough volunteers committed to any ministry, follow-up communication will be sent out. Thank you for your interest!
ECHO is an immersive experience of St. John Paul II's landmark teaching called the Theology of the Body. At ECHO, we dive into themes such as masculinity and femininity, vocations, dating, relationships, prayer, discernment, chastity, and so much more. Wherever you are and wherever you're coming from, we are confident that God is going to surprise you with his ridiculously deep love for YOU!
The 2022-2023 Faith Formation Calendar is available here and on our website. Families should look at all upcoming events, Family Masses, and class dates. For questions, please contact the Faith Formation Coordinator, Peggy at (773) 767-1523 ext. 226.
For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8
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