The Hunger Games

Here is a Catholic post from another website in regards to the Hunger Games Trilogy. It is officially labeled as "A Parents Guide," but brings up great points and themes to think about when reading the series. This is definitely worth a look.  I am currently working on reading through the series just so I can be in the know.  So click here to check out the themes and issues to think about from the book.

Rosary and Spiritual Warfare

Here is the qoute that Tbird used last night at youth group in regards to the Holy Rosary and Spiritual Warfare.  The Rosary will indeed change your life if you give it a chance.  Check out what the Chief Exorcist writes about it:

Father Gabriel Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican writes:    One
day a colleague of mine heard the devil say during an exorcism, "Every
Hail Mary is like a blow on my head. If Christians knew how powerful
the Rosary was, it would be my end."

The secret that makes this prayer so effective is that the Rosary is
both prayer and meditation. It is addressed to the Father, to the
Blessed Virgin, and to the Holy Trinity, and is a meditation centered
on Christ.

I write in addition to the above: Please enunciate each word of the
Rosary clearly and distinctly. Do not trample on the heels of the
words of anyone with your words. Do not speak over the leader if you
are following or the respondent if you are leading the Rosary.
Remember that they also are having a conversation with Mary Our Mother
and it is not polite to speak when someone else is speaking.

Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

EASTER PEOPLE
Reflection
The Easter season is an invitation to live out the meaning of our baptism.
Do we continue to resist sin and life for God?
Are we truly pursuing a relationship with Jesus?
Are we living as Easter people, focused on the living light and not desolate darkness?

During Lent and Easter, God has renewed his people. He has called us back from sin and death; he invites us to remain close to his son, Jesus. We are to let the teachings of Jesus -His love for others, His readiness to serve; His strong stand for what is pleasing to God- become an important part in our life. We must remember that Jesus is always with us to help us. Alleluia!

Prayer
Lord Jesus, our brother,
We love you.
Help us to love you more.
Have mercy on all your people
Especially those who have been
baptized in your name

Stir up your Spirit in our hearts,
and teach us to keep your
commandments,
to carry our daily cross with you,
and to see you in all we meet.

Lord Jesus,
help us to be your Easter people today.

Holy Mary,
Pray for the people of God.

The Lord is Risen, Amen, Alleluia!
We share in his new life. Amen, Alleluia!

The Triduum Is Near!

So Easter is just around the corner and we are already half way through Holy Week. This is by far the most important week in the Church year. Think about it. Within a seven day time frame Christ goes from Rock Star status with having palms waved as he entered Jerusalem to being crucified on the cross. What a transformation that must have taken place within those seven days 2000 years ago.

The Triduum is considered the time from Holy Thursday until the Easter. During this time so many things happened in the church. Jesus institutes the priesthood and gives us the Eucharist through the first mass at the Last Supper. Jesus' own apostle Judas betrays him for a mere thirty pieces of silver. We have Christ in the Garden praying to God for strength in preparation for His Passion. It states that he was sweating blood from the intensity of prayer he was having with God. From there we see Christ arrested by a mob and brought to the chief priest. After this heartache he is scourged and crucified to his death only to be buried and raised from the dead. Wow! That is tons of things.

This is beyond amazing acts of miracles in themselves in the last few moments of the Lord's life. Be sure to spend this time in prayer to continually grow in your relationship with the Lord. Here are some cool things happening around St. George from now until Sunday. Check it Out!

Last Chance for Confession During the Lenten Season
Wednesday 6-7:30pm

Holy Thursday
Mass @ 7pm
Adoration following Mass until 11pm

Good Friday
Living Stations of the Cross @ Noon
Veneration of the Cross @ 7pm
Personal prayer time following veneration until 10pm

Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil @ 8pm

Easter Sunday!