“During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference.”
-Pope Francis
Mass Schedule for Sunday, February 11, 2024
11:15am– Combined Chinese and English Mass to celebrate Chinese New Year
***St Blaise Blessing will follow after the Mass
Sunday readings for February 11, 2024- Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11
Second Reading: 1 Cor 10:31-11:1
Gospel: Mk 1:40-45
Announcements
Lent 2024
Remember that Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Resolve now to make a good Lent.
Each year the Church holds a 40 day spiritual retreat. We are asked to examine our lives and to change what needs changing. The first and most important meaning of Lent is repentance, to turn away from sin and turn to God.
Unfortunately, some of us may find ourselves half way through Lent—or even at the end of Lent–having done nothing. This year, let’s start at the beginning of Lent to turn to God. I urge you to attend Mass or at least a liturgy of the Word on Ash Wednesday at Saint John’s and be marked with ashes. Here are some other things that you may consider doing for Lent:
- Make a good confession. Perhaps it has been a long time since you have been to the sacrament of Reconciliation. Confess your sins this Lent.
- Attend daily Mass as often as you can during Lent.
- Set aside time each day to read the Bible, especially the four Gospels.
- Make time each day for prayer.
- Give up something you enjoy like chocolate, alcohol, meat or TV. Giving up TV and YouTube is especially good.
- Give to the poor and the church. Support those Catholic agencies which help the poor, like Saint John’s Hospice, Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services. And help Saint John Church.
- Reconcile with someone with whom you are estranged.
- Visit people who are sick or alone.
All Catholics are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means to eat only one full meal and not to eat between meals. And we are all obliged to abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent and on Ash Wednesday. The elderly and the sick are, of course, exempted from fasting and abstinence.
Ash Wednesday, February 14
Our Masses will be at 8:30 AM (the school Mass) and at 6 PM. There will be distribution of ashes at Saint John Church from 7AM – 6PM
Lenten Faith Sharing
We will be having a faith sharing this Lenten season with Deacon David, reflecting on Jesus’ walk to Jerusalem. The group will meet on Saturday evenings starting February 17th in the Angelus House beginning at 5pm with a potluck fellowship afterwards. All are welcome to join. Please contact Ursula Yau or reply to this email with any questions.
Operation Rice Bowl
It has been our custom at Holy Redeemer to save money during Lent for Operation Rice Bowl. The collection will be taken on Palm Sunday. The money helps the poor and starving people of the world and in Philadelphia. Rice Bowl Banks will be available in Church during Lent.
Mark your calendars for the Annual Mass for Firefighters
On February 16, 1899, Saint John Church burned. Four firefighters lost their lives fighting that fire. We remember those four men and all firefighters who lost their lives defending the lives and property of others and we pray for the safety of all firefighters. Please join us for our annual Mass for Firefighters on Saturday February 17 at 10 AM.
Holy Redeemer Open House
Please ask your friends and relatives who have school age to consider Holy Redeemer School. Our next open house will be Monday, February 19 from 1-2 PM.
Lenten Recollection Day
If you are looking for something to do for Lent, consider attending the Archdiocesan Recollection Day on Saturday, February 24 from 9 AM -3 PM at Saint James the Great Parish, Elkins Park. This event is sponsored by the office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees. Ask Father Tom or Ursula for details.
Holy Redeemer School Spotlight
Holy Redeemer School will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Feb 12-13 for Chinese New Year.
Next Wednesday at the children’s Mass at 8:30 AM, ashes will be distributed. All are welcome to attend Mass and get your ashes.
The school’s Chinese New Year program is scheduled for Friday Feb 23 and Monday Feb 26 both at 12:30 PM. See each class K-8 present their program of celebrating Chinese New Year. The program will end with a drum performance and a lion dance. Between each grade’s performance, Dr. Cancelliere will be forecasting the fortunes for persons born in the year of each 12 zodiac animal.
Terra Nova testing will begin Friday March 1 and will continue until March 8.