106 N. Western Ave. Girard, KS 66743 Tel.

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Weekly Bulletin Saint Michael Church, Girard www.stmichaelgirard.com

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We the parishioners of Saint Michael the Archangel, through leadership and strong traditions are faithful disciples of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church. We commit ourselves to be generous stewards of our faith, our parish, and our community. We strive to involve all members to be united in one parish family for the salvation of all. Notes from the Pastor: Praise and thank the Lord for giving us another opportunity for renewal during this season of Lent! As the origin of the word suggests, (Old English, lengthen, German, Lenz, Dutch, Lente, which means spring,) lent is a time to bud forth, to grow. Applying it to our spiritual life, God has given us a chance to grow in holiness! To achieve this goal, the church has admonished us to perform the usual penitential acts: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting/abstinence. The current regulations concerning Lenten fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics in the United States generally are as follows (confer canons 1250, 1252, 1253): Abstinence from all meat is to be observed by all Roman Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays of Lent, and on Good Friday (which is not part of Lent, but rather part of the three day Paschal Triduum).
Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Roman Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Some people choose to make some personal additional penance of giving up something for Lent, like giving up chocolate or cutting short their TV or compute time. This is good in itself spiritually especially if it is done as a form of personal sacrifice and penance. It is a meritorious act, and hopefully will lead to spiritual growth. However, some people ask the question whether they can take a break of their penitential observance on a Sunday during Lent, on the argument that Sunday is not counted for Lent. First, the additional penance they perform is their personal choice, and is not among those required by church law, so who can prevent them from taking such a break. But if you really intend to do it as a penance for Lent, will taking a break be beneficial for your spiritual discipline. It is like, trying to quit smoking. Surely, taking a break even for a day from smoking will not help your cause. That would be the same in our spiritual life and particularly in our Lenten penance. If you really want to do it as a sacrifice, why take a break? In fact the USCCB is on the discussion of bringing back the practice of doing penance even outside of Lent. "The work of our Conference during the coming year includes reflections on re-embracing Friday as a particular day of penance, including the possible re-institution of abstinence on all Fridays of the year, not just during Lent." (excerpt from Cardinal Timothy Dolan's Address to the USCCB Nov 12, 2012) For now, let us pray that we will persevere in our penitential observances that we

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STAFF Fr. Roger Lumbre Pastor Janel Scales Bookkeeper/Bulletin Editor Faith Paoni Secretary Rectory Office Hours Tues-Fri 9AM-Noon Closed on Mondays Tel. (620) 724-8717

Next Saturday (02/23/2013) Altar Servers: E. M. E. Lectors: Gift Bearers 5:30 PM Molly Adams Teresa Davenport Linda Moore Brian & Jill Davied Family

Next Sunday(02/24/2013) 10:00 AM E. Wilson, G. Born, E., C., & A. Doherty Linda Garrett Denny Heidrick Bob & Alice Davied

Mass Schedules & Intentions for February 16th-24th:

Feb 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM Sunday 10:00 AM 7:00 AM Monday 5:30 PM Tuesday 6:00 PM Wednesday 6:30 PM 8:00 AM Thursday 8:30AM-3PM 7:00 AM Friday 8AM-6PM 6:00 PM 4:00 PM Saturday 5:30 PM 8:00 AM Sunday 10:00 AM Saturday Geno Marchetti Marion Fry Francis Buche Pro Populo Jennifer Sponsel Stations of the Cross John Albertini Jerry Sponsel Francix Buche Eucharistic Adoration Mary Oplotnik Eucharistic Adoration Stations of the Cross John Albertini Winnie Walsh Pro Populo Dave Gall Arma Girard Arma Girard Girard Arma Arma Girard Arma Arma Girard Girard Girard Arma Girard Arma Girard

will end up spiritually renewed. With these spiritual exercises, especially if performed with the love of God in our hearts, we hope to renew our baptismal promises and celebrate the Easter joy being born anew! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We heard of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVIs resignation of the papacy comes February 28th. We are all sad and shocked by the news. The media once again are trying to sow intrigue and cast doubts on the reasons cited by the Holy Father. It is obviously a devils temptation for all of us to distrust him and to be divided as a Church. Pope Benedict in his Ash Wednesday homily warned us of this sin: I am thinking in particular of the sins against the unity of the church, of the divisions in the body of the church, he said. Overcoming individualism and rivalry is a humble and precious sign for those who have distanced themselves from the faith or who are indifferent. Christ have desired and prayed that we will all be one (John 17:21). May this season of Lent help us to remain strong amidst the temptations all around us and help us to remain faithful. Let us continue to pray for Pope Benedict XVI and also for the College of Cardinals as they elect our new Pope! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pray also to our Second graders who will be making their first reconciliation this Saturday, February 23rd at 10AM here at Saint Michael: Trevor Amershek, Laklyn Arthur, Alex Brake, Elli DeGruson, Sara Goble, Brandon Leritz, Jaden Norris, Kaleb Scales, and Dawson Stegman. Thank you again to our parents and catechists for all their sacrifices.

Kansas: Stand Up For Truth-Kansans For Life held their 10th Annual Pro-Life Banquet last week in Overland Park, marking the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Last Week July 2012 to date and the D.C. March for Life. Helen and I were among hundreds who attended. After Contributions $2,102.00 $91,325.89 the dinner, we heard two great speakers on where abortion is taking us in Kansas and Children's Offering $20.95 $924.06 the nation. Steven Mosher began his career as a pro-choicer, but after visiting China during its one-child policy for each family, he saw firsthand what these population Expenses-Jan $14,571.68 $95,368.48 officers were prepared to do to enforce the law of only one child. When he returned, Over/ (Under) ($3,118.53) he told of the forced late-term abortions and this caused him to become pro-life. Hes now married and the father of nine children! His descriptions of what he saw in China made for brutal and scary stories. Saint Michaels Upcoming Events The other speaker was our former attorney-general of Kansas, Mr. Phil Kline. He now lives in Virginia where he teaches in a university, while traveling the nation and Finance Council Parish Council lecturing for pro-life causes. Hes still being pursued by certain pro-choice forces in Tony Stonerock-Chair Dale Coomes-Chair Kansas who want to disbar him for daring to prosecute Kansas abortionists. He gave a Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30pm ten minute talk centered on What is Truth? His words: Without truth, there is no law. Historically, Kansans stood tall with truth when they fought against slavery. But Rosary Altar Society Knights of Columbus since the Roe decision, the State hasn't fared as well when moderate leaders advocatNext meeting, TBA 1st Tuesday of Month, 7pm ed abortion and many clinics were set up for that purpose. Wichita had one of the At 6:30pm in the Hall. St. Michael Parish Hall better known ones that specialized in late-term procedures. Weve seen a lot of change in the last decade when most of these clinics closed. Success is measured, Helping Hands Daughters of Isabella folks, by our obedience to God, for the truth ultimately wont be denied. President Need help or want to volunteer, Call Marilyn Bradshaw, Lincoln came to Kansas in the 1850s to preach moderation on slavery as a way to Call Carrie Smith, 724-6684 724-7133 save the union. However, Kansans said No to this and we eventually entered the Union as his knees, and in 1865, he was convinced that slavery had to end it the UnThat Man in You Friday mornings at 6am ion was to be saved. He said, The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous. Woe to those who oppose His wishes. Lincoln had reversed his moderate stand and put his energies into ending slavery. Now, Kansas must reclaim its legacy with integrity and Reminder to our Confirmation Kids and their parents/guardians: their acknowledge the evil of abortion within its borders and fight for what is right. God is confirmation retreat is scheduled this March 1 to 3 (Friday evening to waiting. Sunday) at the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita. We will be serving dinner for the kids and chaperones at 5PM at the hall on March 1. Then Presidents Day: A View of One President-This Monday, the nation honors its Presthe bus will leave for Wichita at 5:30PM. We thank Fr, Gorges of Saint idents from the start of the republic. Its for all Presidents who have occupied the Patrick in Chanute for letting us use their school bus with their driver. office, not just the present one. The day can be a holiday if youre a banker, a govSome people have asked if this retreat is compulsory? I answer by sayernment employee, or in some cases, a teacher. For most of us, its just another day. ing that the question should be, Is this beneficial for the kids? The We dont have to buy a costume, cook a turkey, or send flowers. Ill repeat what was answer is Yes! It may not be compulsory but the opportunity that it said about the King holiday last month--schools shouldnt close on such educational will provide our candidates is immeasurable! Retreats are always modays. The day could be better put to use with guest speakers, good films, or having an ments of grace. I hope and pray all our kids would avail of this opportunity especially their confirmation is only once in a lifetime. I hope and open student assembly to discuss the office of President. Faculty and staff could begin the forum with introductory comments that might motivate students to give their opinpray as well that parents will encourage their children to go. ions. It could lead to an interesting current events gathering where much learning +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ could occur. Reminder again that our stations of the cross in Girard is every Friday That said, since this is a religious bulletin, I chose a former President to illustrate at 6PM right after the benediction. May God bless you all! Fr. Roger strong ethical values which he displayed frequently. Harry S. Truman was our 33rd President who moved up to President at the death of Franklin Roosevelt in 1945, then Harvest House won a term on his own, leaving office in 1953. No stronger Democrat ever lived or Harvest House, a ministry for the senior adults of our diocese, is sponoccupied that office. However, when it came to fiscal policies and social values, he soring a one day bus trip to Kansas City on Tuesday, March 12th. The would have little in common with present politics. He made momentous decisions cost is $115 per person, departure is from Village Charters, 8620 W. 21st, Wichita, at 7:30am. All of the details and a registration form can be while President, guided us away from recession after World War II with the return of thousands of veterans, and backed civil rights for African Americans. found in the Catholic Advance or by calling Tama Dutton, Harvest His greatness rests, I believe, on what he did after he left the White House. He didHouse Coordinator, at 316-685-5240. Registration deadline is March 1st. nt accumulate money from having been President. His only asset at his death in 1972 was the house he and Bess lived in at Independence, MO. When he left office, there was no presidential pension, so he lived on his Army pension of $13,500 annually. ST. MICHAEL, DEFEND US IN ALL OUR BATTLES! After Eisenhower was safely inaugurated, Harry & Bess drove home to Missouri alone--no Secret Service. As president, he paid all of his own travel expenses. In 1971, Congress wanted to award him a Medal of Honor, but he refused it, saying I didnt do anything to receive such an award. Harry Truman, where are you??

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