February 2023 Newsletter

posted in: News

Lenten Journey

“Throughout the course of the year the Church unfolds the entire mystery of Christ.”

This beautiful quote from the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council reminds us of the importance of celebrating the Liturgical Seasons. Each Season, in its proper order, helps us to enter more deeply into the life of Christ and therefore, enter more deeply into a life of union with Him. Through the Season of Lent, we enter into the Lord’s temptations in the desert and learn to live loving obedience to the Divine Will. After His Baptism in the Jordan, Jesus is “driven by the Spirit into the desert” and He remains there for forty days conquering the devil and his temptations, anticipating His final victory fully accomplished through His Passion, Death and Resurrection. (cf. CCC 538-539). The Church reminds us, “The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).” (CCC 1438)

So, what does that look like on a practical level? Here are some things that the Sisters do:

“Lent reminds us: Jesus always walks with us. So, I ask Jesus for the grace to see, hear and speak with Him in the serenity of my soul.” ~ Sister Mary Grace

“ I love Lent! Every Lent we cut away the excess to live simply for Jesus. During Lent I mortify three areas: the body from comfort, the mind from distraction and the heart from selfishness.”~Sister Mary Fatima

“For Lent I’m asking Jesus to take me and all my weakness into His Heart and from there to allow me to meditate every day on His Passion, that I may share in His Love for the Father and for all people.” ~ Sister Mary Rose

“Instead of giving something up I try to add something new such as calling an elderly person who lives alone, or send a note to a homebound friend or acknowledge the kindness someone has done for me.” ~ Sister Esther Marie

“I like to pray the Chaplet of Our Lady’s Sorrows. I ask our Blessed Mother to teach me about the sufferings of her Son and to make my own heart capable of such love.” ~ Sister Mary Eucharista

Concord March For Life

On January 14 several of our Sisters attended the Concord, NH March for Life. It began with a memorial service for the babies who are tragically discarded at the Concord city dump; this was followed by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Christ the King. Afterwards there was a gathering at the State Capital, an official March for Life and a conference at Christ the King Hall. Our Sisters participated in all of these events and then helped to serve the food at the conference. Please join us as we continue to pray not only for the legal protection of all life but for the full development of a society which supports a culture of life.

Eucharistic Retreats

Our most recent Eucharistic Retreat at St. Gabriel’s in Franklin, held on the coldest day this winter, surprised us with the largest number of attendees! More than 65 participants braved the freezing temperatures to spend a day with our Eucharistic Lord!

 

Don’t miss out! We have two more retreats scheduled in March. On March 11, we will be at St. Christopher’s in Nashua, NH and on March 25 we be at St. John Neumann in Merrimack, NH. 

Want to know more about upcoming Eucharistic Revival Events?

Want to watch past talks by the Sisters?

Visit Face of The Family Playlist: YouTube Playlist

Thank You!

The Lord continues to expand our ministries and, though we are only eleven Sisters, we are able to accomplish a multiplicity of tasks! We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you to our prayer supporters and benefactors! With your help, the Healing Love of Jesus is being experienced by countless hearts!

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