783 million people in the world do not have access to safe water—roughly 11% of the world’s population. 2.5 billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation--roughly 35% of the world’s population. Around 700,000 children die each year from diarrhea caused by unsafe water & poor sanitation (almost 2,000 children/day). Teaching simple sanitation techniques, like washing cups and plates with soap & clean water can help prevent these deaths.

PRAY: Each day of this week, read this Bible verse as a family and add any special intentions.         

“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living  water will flow from within him.”                                                                -John 7:37-38

 ACT: Limit each member of your family to using only one cup/day this week. Donate $2/person in your household in recognition of money saved on less handwashing/dishwashing.

 GOING DEEPER

Click here for the brochure on the water project

Scroll down to see Gospel and reflection for Saturday evening Mass

Today’s Gospel is Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32—  (8:30 & 10:30 Masses)

 ‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again he was lost and has been found.’”

 God knows the hearts of his sons and daughters.  God loves us and watches for us to turn toward Him.  Our sinfulness can be as bold and obvious as the younger son, or as subtle as the resentful elder son. How do we open ourselves to the love and mercy that God wants to shower upon us?

5:00 pm Mass

Gospel is John 9:1-41 - Second Scrutiny

“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

Where am I blind? When do I not see the work of Jesus in my life?

Let’s look at the psalm we will use at Mass this weekend:

You can find the psalm and all the music we use at Mass here

5:00pm

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

Say this phrase over and over. What does a shepherd do for it’s sheep? Do I follow my shepherd?

Read the words of the whole psalm.

Which word or phrase sticks out for you?  Pray with that word or idea.  Listen for what God may be telling you about this work for phrase.

Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6.

R. (1)  The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
 In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Have you stopped in on a Friday night for 5:30 pm Mass or Stations of the Cross (right afterwards)?

 Stop in tonight before you go to the Fish Fry. 

 GOING DEEPER:

There are many wonderful online opportunities to experience and pray the Stations of the Cross. Take this virtual tour of the amazing Stations at Cloisters on the Platte in Gretna, NE. Then while on their website look at their retreats and sign up for one. If you have questions about the retreat after looking at the website feel free to contact Patty Mayer in the office!

Those to be Baptized this Easter:

Eric Carter

Julie Lara

Brandi Newberry

Jeremy Sheaffer

Cory Wisecup

GOING DEEPER:

There are many ways we can support those going through RCIA. Prayerfully consider what your role is this year, maybe next year you want to be more active by being a sponsor…

The third finger is our tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders, those who have authority. 

 Today pray for those in leadership roles – at work, in government and in our church.

GOING DEEPER:

Prayers for our Civic Leaders

Prayers for our Priests

Did you know that here at OLIH we have groups of women praying daily for both Fr Michael and Fr Steve? These groups are part of the Seven Sisters Apostolate. Each sister is assigned a day of the week and on their day they pray a holy hour for their priest. Praying for our Priests is an important way for us to support them as they shepherd us.

We witnessed the first scrutiny at all the Masses this last weekend. This weekend the scrutiny will take place at the 5:00pm Mass.

GOING DEEPER:

Where am I in my faith journey? — What does my Baptism mean to me? — How am I strengthened by my faith?

Lord, “uncover, then all that is weak, defective, or sinful” in my heart, and “then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good” in me. Amen.

For every six plastic water bottle people buy, only one is recycled. Water bottles do not                biodegrade, rather photodegrade. This means it can take up to 1,000 years for every single bottle to decompose, leaking pollutants into our soil and water along the way. Every single second 1,000 people open a water of water in the U.S. 

PRAY: Each day of this week, read this Bible verse as a family and add any special intentions.         

“I will pour out water upon the thirsty ground, streams upon the dry land; I will pour out my spirit on you of  spring, my blessing on your descendants.”                         ~Isaiah 44:3

 ACT: Cut out plastic bottle use this week.  Drink from washable cups or reusable water bottle only. Donate the money you normally would have used on plastic water bottles this week.

Today’s Gospel is John 4:5-42

“But whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst.”

We are half way through Lent —a good time to stop and reflect on how am I using this season to help me grow spiritually stronger.  How am I at drinking the living water? When do I settle for the things in life that do not satisfy?

GOING DEEPER:

Sit back and listen to the Gospel, pausing to reflect along the way. Enter into the story!

Let’s look at the psalm we will use tomorrow: If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts

Say this phrase over and over. What causes me to harden my heart? How can I let joy and thankfulness replace the hardness?

GOING DEEPER:

Read the words of the whole psalm (or listen to the sung version we will use at Mass here)

Which word or phrase sticks out for you?  Pray with that word or idea.  Listen for what God may be telling you about this work for phrase.

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8)  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
 as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
 they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

As you abstain from meat today consider those who don’t have a choice as to whether or not they will go without basic things, like water.

Add to your water cup the amount you would have spent on a nice meaty meal out.

GOING DEEPER:

In our marriages we thirst for connection, intimacy and love… Take time today to pray these Stations of the Cross for your marriage and family or with your spouse. Praying together for your marriage and for one another is a powerful way to connect!

Today is World Water Day - click here to find more information on the crisis of water in the world.

Those who are coming into the Church through Baptism go through a process with various steps as part of their preparation. Lent offers opportunities to fully discern and prepare for Baptism. This weekend you will witness those to be Baptized called forward during the time of the intercessions. Listen closely to the words used, prayerfully scrutinize your own heart during this time.

GOING DEEPER

Watch the video below about the Period of Purification and Enlightenment

Today we will pray with our second finger—the index finger.  The index finger represents those in our lives who instruct us, guide us or heal us.  They need support and wisdom to show and direct others. 

Identify those in your life who instruct you, guide you or heal you.

GOING DEEPER:

Take time to really think about those who lead you and instruct you. Write your own personal prayer asking God to care for them and that they be led by the Spirit. The prayer below can be used as inspiration for your own personal prayer.

Prayer for teachers:

Heavenly Father, who promised that all those who instruct others in the ways of holiness will shine as stars for all eternity, fill our hearts and minds with true knowledge and the art of teaching. Give us patience and understanding, justice and prudence, humility and fear of the Lord. Grant us wisdom and charity so that with a pure and holy love of God we ourselves may enjoy all these gifts and impart them to our pupils. Teach our children to be obedient to your laws and docile to your inspirations. Let them be instruments of your peace in their homes, in our land, and in the family of nations as becomes children of the sons of God in the Mystical Body of Christ. May the blessings of your sevenfold Gifts be in all who teach and in all who learn through the Holy Spirit who is the Love of the Father and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

(From: https://www.catholicity.com/prayer/prayer-for-teachers.html)

Today is the Feast of St Joseph - to learn more click here

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Here at OLIH you will find it on our website under “Becoming Catholic”. Here we offer classes at two different times of the year one group starts in September and enters the church at the Easter Vigil, many of them through Baptism. The second group each year begins in February and comes into the church at the Feast of All Saints, those attending this group are already Baptized.

GOING DEEPER:

Watch the video below for more information on initiation…

The average person will need around 1.5 gallons of water to drink daily to survive in moderate   climate with little activity. An average American uses 100-175 gallons of water per day. A 5 minute shower uses approximately 12.5 gallons. If we were able to conserve our use of water, it shows solidarity. Earth is 75% covered by water; 97.5% is saltwater. We have only 2.5% of freshwater

PRAY: Each day of this week, read this Bible verse as a family and add any special intentions.         

    “For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”                                                                                                                                                                                           -Galatians 5:14

ACT: Limit your showers this week to 5 minutes.  If you take baths, consider taken 1 fewer baths this week, or switching to a short shower. Turn off water when you brush teeth.  Donate $.25  per bath & shower this week.

 GOING DEEPER

Here is a power point presentation that explains further the water project in Tanzania.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

“this is my chosen son, listen to Him”

How do we listen to Jesus in our day to day life? When I hear Him do I want to be like Peter and build tents to stay on the mountaintop or am I ready to go and share what I have with others?

GOING DEEPER:

Listen and pray with the Gospel using Lectio Divina:

Let’s look at the psalm we will use tomorrow: The Lord is my light and my salvation 

Say this phrase over and over. Do I believe it? Is the Lord my light and salvation? What does that mean?  What does light and salvation mean and how do I allow Jesus into my life as light and salvation?

GOING DEEPER:

Read the words of the whole psalm (or listen to the sung version we will use at Mass here)

Which word or phrase sticks out for you?  Pray with that word or idea.  Listen for what God may be telling you about this word for phrase.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14.

R. (1a)  The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

No meat today.  This may seem like a small sacrifice, or even an easy thing to do.  It’s not about the difficulty of it, it’s about opening your heart and mind to giving up meat in solidarity with all other Catholics and opening your heart and mind to making more room for God. 

To assist you in your abstaining from meat today join family and friends at the OLIH Fish Fry.

GOING DEEPER:

Sometimes we just don’t understand the need for fasting. It’s not an easy concept in our day and age. This article is a beautiful explanation of fasting and how it can become a gift rather than a burden!

Last Sunday, those to be Baptized attended a special ceremony called the Rite of Election.

GOING DEEPER:

The video below explains the Rite of Election

Every Wednesday a staff member prays for the parish in the Chapel, so we will make Wednesdays our day of prayer.  Using the “Five Finger Prayer” – Today we will pray with our thumb “the thumb is closest to you so pray for those closest to you.

When your pray for family and friends, ask the Lord to bless them with what they need to get through whatever trials they are going through.

GOING DEEPER

There are many ways to pray for those who are close to us. Click here to go to the USCCB website and the list of prayers we can use to pray for our families in various stages of family life.