Pastoral Letter 2009 – 1
Monday, February 2, 2009
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Dear Friends in Christ:
Blessings to you on this special day in the church’s life! We have enjoyed the wonders of the Incarnation and the Call to Discipleship on this special holy day. At one time, we ended the Christmas Season on this special feast, so that we could reflect on our baptismal covenant and deepen our commitment to serve the Lord. We bless the candles and remind ourselves of the light of faith that grows ever stronger with our call to serve God.
Our Liturgy Commission has planned some opportunities for us to deepen our spirituality. The theme for our Lenten journey is: Taking responsibility: leading us out of our blindness.
This theme directly flows from our Parish Mission Statement and is a chance for us to reflect deeply on our Mission Statement (on the front of the bulletin.) We celebrate Lent to renew our Baptismal promises at either the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday service. We take this opportunity to examine our conscious, to repent and transform our lives. God provides wonderful opportunities of grace through the sacraments of the church. We will have a special parish mission, and the dates and times are attached to this letter with the Very Reverend Norman Pelletier, SSS, Provincial Superior of the United States leading you during this special time. While this mission is going on, we will have 23 parishioners on pilgrimage in tandem with the 75th anniversary mission.
Join us for a special liturgy to end Ordinary Time and prepare for Lent: bring your old palm branches and a dessert to share Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. We will burn the palms outside the front doors of the church on Borromeo Plaza and share fellowship in the Committee Room.
Each year we have an opportunity, as spring arrives, for new life. Let this be a year for us to embrace and enjoy new life in Christ through your participation at Saint Charles and the grace of parish involvement. Let us continue to pray for each other, especially during the blessings of this diamond jubilee year!
In Christ our Eucharist,
Reverend John Thomas Lane, SSS
18th Pastor
Please Post and Save this Schedule for Saint Charles:
Mardi Gras, Tues. Feb. 24 7 p.m. Palm Burning and Dessert Pot Luck – bring your palms, bring a dessert to share
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25 7 a.m., Morning Prayer, 9 a.m. Mass (with school students), 12:10 Mass,
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer, & 7 p.m. Mass Ashes distributed after the homily during Eucharist.
Daylight Savings Time Begins: Offer it up! Come to church Sunday, March 8 with an hour less sleep.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Wednesdays & Saturdays 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. during Lent &
Monday, April 6 & Wednesday, April 8 only of Holy Week
(There are no confessions during the Sacred Triduum.)
Liturgical Ministers Retreat Saturday, March 21, 9:30 – 1 p.m. (with lunch – call the Front
& Sign Up for New Mass Office to register. Guest speaker: Fr. Norman Pelletier, SSS
Times Mandatory for all Ushers, Lectors & Communion Ministers & Altar Servers are welcome to attend!
Parish Mission: During weekend Masses March 21/22, plus Monday, Mar. 23 - Wed., March 25 at 7 p.m. (Monday night is a Sacrament of Reconciliation Service – Rite 2 – communal celebration with individual confessions, Tues. is Taize Prayer and Wed. is Mass)
We welcome Fr. Norman Pelletier, SSS, former editor of Emmanuel Magazine and current Provincial Superior of the USA.
Special potluck meal in the cafeteria, Wednesday night, 6 p.m.
Liturgy of the Hours: Morning Prayer: Mondays - Fridays at 8 a.m. in chapel
Evening Prayer: Mondays – Fridays at 5 p.m. in chapel
Stations of the Cross: Fridays during Lent, starting February 27 until April 10 at Noon
Special Social Justice Stations on Friday, February 27 @ 7 p.m.
Palm Sunday, April 5: Masses begin in the gymnasium for the blessing of palms.
(regular Lord’s Day Mass Schedule)
(Beginning at sunset on Holy Thursday (4 p.m.) until sunset Easter Sunday)
Each morning, help with clean up and organizational things at 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Thanks!!!
Holy Thursday: Morning Prayer: 8 a.m. (in church)
Agape Meal (Potluck) in Gym: 5:45 p.m. (all bring something to share)
Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper: 7:30 p.m.
Prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight (in chapel)
Good Friday: Morning Prayer: 8 a.m. (in church)
Stations of the Cross: Noon (led by school students)
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion: 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. (tri-lingual)
Holy Saturday: Morning Prayer: 8 a.m. (in church)
Practice for the Procession of Flowers :
10:30 a.m. (in church)
(The procession will be during the Easter Vigil after the “Glory to God.”)
Easter Vigil Service: 8:30 p.m. (tri-lingual)
Easter Sunday: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. (regular schedule)
Easter Monday: 12:10 p.m. Eucharist only (Office Closed, No communal Morning & Evening Prayer or Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for this church holiday.)
Infant Baptisms: Saturday, April 18, 5 & 7 p.m. & Sunday, April 19, 9 & 11 a.m.
Anointing of the Sick: Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. during the Mass.
FYI: Before surgery, going into the hospital, nursing home, or for spiritual renewal, please let the priest know and he will anoint you with the holy oil. It’s not the “Last Rites” anymore! We will be happy to celebrate the sacrament with you after a Mass.
Special Services & Reminders:
- Let us help you with your annulment process. Learn more by calling Father Lane or Deacon Bill or Paul.
- Pledge to the 2009 ACA: It is time to pledge your support to the Roman Catholic church of Santa Fe and all the many ministries and services we provide for the church. From the TV Mass, to Catholic Radio, to the People of God newspaper, the bishop’s office, tribunal, and other offices at the Catholic Center that assist our parish and the archdiocese, there is many ways that our financial support touches the lives of New Mexicans. Our parish goal is $23,000 for the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Consider a pledge from each family of $10 to assist the archdiocese and our parish in making our goal. If you are able to share more, we will be very grateful. (Most families who gave last year, averaged a gift of $145.) We need 100% participation from each family – so make a commitment to your NM Catholic Church and membership.
- Ministry Fair is coming February 21 & 22. Enjoy the Mardi Gras treats in the GYM: Sign-up to be involved in a ministry or council or committee to improve the parish’s life! Pray that our parish will have enough ministers to serve the church’s needs. Pray how you may share your gifts and talents. Each group will have special “goodies” to share.
- Registration for 2009-2010 School Year. Tours are given at any time. Come by and see our excellent Catholic school. Register your children now. Each class fills by “first come, first served.”
- Pray the Rosary: Each day will recite the rosary in the Shrine Chapel at 4:15 p.m. We also recite the Rosary each Tuesday & Thursday morning at 7 a.m.
- Support OPERATION RICE BOWL: Keep a rice bowl on your table during the season of Lent. Bring your rice bowl back with your money you have given to those in need on Good Friday.
Please use the enclosed envelope to help cover the cost of this mailing
and support our special 75th Anniversary Campaign:
inviting former priests, sisters and guests.
Mark your calendar for the special banquet, Saturday, November 7, 2009.
