St. Ignatius Martyr Parish

Lenten Fish Dinners: The Knights of Columbus will again be selling their delicious fish dinners every Friday during Lent February 8th from 5:30p.m. to 7:00p.m. in the Family Center. Both fried fish and baked fish will be available. Take out orders will also be available. The cost is $7.00 for a regular plate; $6.00 for a child's plate or a senior's plate. Come and enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow parishioners. No tips. No sales tax. Drink and dessert included. Where else can you get a deal like that????

OTHER IDEAS ON LENT: The annual Lenten season is a fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. The Lenten season has a double character, namely to prepare both the catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the rite of election, the scrutinies and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of initiation; the faithful, ever attentive to the Word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS- Every Friday during Lent starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Church.

FROM ASHES TO EASTER: Each family is invited to pick up a special Lenten container, and keep it on or near the dining table in your home. Put in some coins each day during Lent and pray for the missions. Return your container to the parish on Easter. Money collected will help Missions Abroad, our Diocesan Home Missions and International Mission projects.

PRAYING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY DURING LENT: Each Sunday evening this Lent, gather together as a family around the table. Light a candle and place it in the center of the table. Give each one a piece of paper or an index card. As each one to:

• Feb. 3 - name a behavior that they want to "fast" from during Lent and write a prayer to ask God's and the family's help.
• Feb. 10 - name one of their roles in the family, at work or in the community and write a brief prayer of thanks to God for giving them that role.
• Feb. 17 - name a gift or talent they have and write a prayer of thanks to God for giving them that role.
• Feb. 24 - name a problem or difficulty they are facing and formulate a prayer asking for God's help to face this challenge.
• March 9 - name a person who needs help and write a prayer asking for God's help.
• March 16 - name someone who has helped you this Lent and write a prayer of thanks. Then invite them to put the cards in a circle around the candle.

Remind them that God wants us to radiate love to one another, just as the candle radiates its light to us. Then have someone share something from the day's reading or psalm that conveys God's desire to relate to us. After time for silent reflection, invite everyone to respond in unison with the following: "In your love, we are family! Thank you, Lord." - Living With Christ

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Every Friday during Lent starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Church.  Read More »

ASH WEDNESDAY: Ashes are an ancient symbol of penance predating Christianity. They remind us of our mortality. We come from dust and unto dust we shall return.They are made from the burned palms of last year. Placing ashes on the head was an ancient penitential custom, as is evident in the Bible (e.g. Jonas 3:5-9). From about the fifth century, sinners, confessed their sins on Ash Wednesday. They did not receive absolution but were enrolled in the "order of penitents," signified by placing ashes in the form of a cross on their foreheads. They were then assigned public penance to be performed throughout Lent and on Holy Thursday morning they received absolution.

RECOMMENDED READING FOR LENT: Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment by Margaret D. McGee (Skylight paths, 2007); Reconciliation by Bishop Robert Morneau (Orbis, 2007); The Tradition of Catholic Prayer by the Monks of St. Meinrad (Liturgical Press, 2007); A Time for Leaving by Mary Fahy (Paulist Press); Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2008 by Jesuit Communications Centre (Ave Maria Press, 2007).  Read More »

COMMUNAL SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Tuesday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. Seven priests will be available to hear your confession.

FLOWER MEMORIAL envelopes are available at the display racks by the doors of the Church. If you want to remember a loved one this Christmas, PRINT the name of the person to be remembered on the envelope, enclose a donation and drop the envelope in the collection basket or drop it off at the Church Office. To be included, all memorials must be received by, Monday, December 17th.

ATTENTION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, AND ALTAR SERVERS:  If you will not be available any weekend during February, March, April, and May please notify Ann Thornton at 294-6024 or athorn [at] io [dot] com, no Later than Monday, December 24th, 2007. Also, please notify me if your contact information has changed such as your phone number, where you can be reached, e-mail address, or address.  Read More »

FLOWER MEMORIAL envelopes are available at the display racks by the doors of the Church. If you want to remember a loved one this Christmas, PRINT the name of the person to be remembered on the envelope, enclose a donation and drop the envelope in the collection basket or drop it off at the Church Office. To be included, all memorials must be received by, Monday, December 17th.

LOOKING FOR A DEEPER MEANING IN YOUR LIFE? The season of Advent is a time of hopeful expectation. We are preparing ourselves for a deeper meaning. On behalf of Fr. Joe, the Community Building Team invites you to come join some of your fellow parishioners for prayer, conversation, and the sharing of some of our dreams and hopes for this Advent season, and beyond. These conversations will take no more than an hour of your time, but could be quite powerful in building relationships with our fellow parishioners. After all the Masses on December 8th and 9th, we will meet in small groups in the Family Center. (Note: the meetings after the Sunday evening Mass on December 9th will be in the Church.)

ATTENTION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, AND ALTAR SERVERS: If you will not be available any weekend during February, March, April, and May please notify Ann Thornton at 294-6024 or athorn@io.com. No Later than Monday, December 24th, 2007. Also, please notify me if your contact information has changed such as your phone number, where you can be reached, e-mail address, or address.  Read More »

This Friday, December 7th, beginning at 1:00 p.m. we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with solemn benediction beginning after the 12:05 p.m. Mass. Adoration will close just before the 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

It does not matter whether you are a regular First Friday adorer or you have never been to First Friday Adoration, I strongly encourage you to come. I invite you to come as a family to give First Friday Adoration a try. I even invite and encourage the various groups of the parish to pick an hour or more to come. This is a great way for us to express our appreciation and love to Jesus for having given us himself in so humble a way.

Please sign up for an hour on one of the sign-up sheets located at the doors of the church.

Saturday, December 8th is a Holy Day of Obligation - Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Masses will be held on Friday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 12:05 p.m.

First Saturday, December 1st, Reconciliation before Mass at 6:30 a.m., devotion starts at 6:40 a.m. with Rosary before the Mass.

Join us at the Lord's table to give thanks to God as a parish community for God's many blessings to us as a parish. That is this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Please bring non-perishable food items that will be used to restock our St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR ALL SAINTS DAY:

• 7:00 a.m.
• 8:15 a.m. (School Mass)
• 12:05 p.m. 
• 7:00 p.m. (Bilingual)