Midweek Update 12/28
New Mass Schedule Starts this Weekend
January 1st, this Sunday is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This weekend will mark the start of our new Mass schedule. Just one change from the last schedule:
There is no longer a 5 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Thomas More.
There is now a 4:30 p.m. Mass on Sunday at St. Thomas More.
Office Closed
The Midtown Catholic office will be closed at noon on Friday the 30th of December and Closed all Day on Monday the 1st of January.
Rosary
As mentioned above, the new Sunday Mass at St. Thomas More is at 4:30 pm. The Legion of Mary says their rosary at 6 pm. Stick around say the rosary with the community!
New Year’s and Lent
The New Year is a great time to renew ourselves. Many will begin New Year’s resolutions. Please consider a resolution that will spur on your journey to Christ. “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” St. Paul’s Letter to the Roman’s (12:2)
Looking ahead to Lent, we have two great opportunities to renew your yourself in the community. For both young and old, preparations are already beginning to experience Lent and Easter. Consider getting involved with one!
Live Lent Together
Lent is more than just giving something up.
It’s an opportunity to refocus on Jesus. And you don’t need to do it alone!
Break open God’s Word with fellow parishioners. Jesus spent most of his public
life teaching a small group of twelve men, and that small group of disciples went
on to change the world. This Lent, it’s your turn!
LEADERS: WHAT TO EXPECT
Group Leaders will be trained to lead a 6-week small group centered around the Word of God during Lent. Each leader caninvite friends, neighbors, co-workers, and/or family members to be participants in their group. You could also have us fill your group with interested parishioners.
All materials will be provided to group leaders and their members.
More info here: Live Lent Together – Archdiocese of Omaha (archomaha.org)
Contact TJ Simpson to talk about training times and getting set up.
Tjsimpson@midtowncatholic.church
(402) 507-5546
Living Stations of the Cross
Rehearsals in the church at Saint Joan of Arc
6:30 to 8 pm
January 4th (W) Parents should attend this first rehearsal
January 12nd (Th), and 18th (W)
February 1st (W), 9th (Th), and 15th (W)
March 1st (W), 15th (W), 23rd (Th) and 29th (W)
Presentation Dates
Friday, March 31st
Sunday, April 2nd (Palm Sunday)
Wednesday, April 5th
Types of Roles available:
Jesus, Pontius Pilate, and the Chief Priest – Major roles, a lot of memorization
The Narrator – No memorization, but the largest “part” of the presentation.
(We might have more than one . . )
“The Crowd”, the Soldier(s)– simple memorization (very few lines)
Mary, Veronica, Women of Jerusalem, Simon of Cyrene – important parts, but no memorization required
“Set Crew” / Lights – support section – no lines, no “stage time”
Music – similar to being a cantor / singing at Mass
If you are interested and able to commit to this schedule, please contact
Anthony & Rebecca Manno
(402) 991-4497
(402)301-4014
Saintly Quote
“Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book.” St. John Bosco
Pope’s Request
Pope Francis has requested prayers for his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
“I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who in silence is supporting the Church. Remember him – he is very ill – asking the Lord to console him, and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.”
Read more here: Pope Francis asks for prayers for Benedict XVI – Vatican News
Don’t Stop Celebrating Christmas
Christmas is not over; it began on Sunday. We just shook off the retail madness.
As Christians, we are to always hold in awe the incarnation. Specifically, in this Christmas season, continue to ponder and celebrate the all-powerful God becoming a fragile infant because of his love for us. Be merry, and rejoice, for the Lord has come to save his people. Below, is the Angelus prayed. Prayed by many Catholics throughout
The Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary…
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary…
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you’ (Lk 1: 28)
‘Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb’
(Lk 1: 42).