St. John the Baptist of New Brighton

From the Associate&

Give... Pray... Fast

"Give alms... Pray to your Father& Fast without a gloomy face& " Matthew 6:1-18
Could there be any better guidance on how to spend our Lenten journey? If we follow these instructions given to the disciples by Jesus, we can elevate the lenten experience from a time of penance to a time of metanoia. Metanoia is a Greek term meaning a change of heart and mind. We can develop a new way of thinking and acting. We can take these lenten instructions and look inward at what we value and the values Jesus offers to his followers.
Almsgiving, as Jesus taught, means placing the needs of others ahead of our own, in particular the needy of our community. Almsgiving is not only a gift of treasure, but also a gift of our time and talent. We are called to give something that "costs" us. When considering our gift to the needy, we should remember Jesus gave the greatest gift, He gave the gift of His life for us. What shall we give?
We are called to prayer during Lent. Pope Leo told Christians of the sixth century at the beginning of their lenten season, "What a Christian should be doing at all times should be done now with greater care and devotion." What can we do to enhance our prayer life? Participate fully in the Mass (even the singing). Plan a quiet time away from the daily annoyances to speak to God from your heart. Read a spiritual book or the Bible. Take an hour of Adoration of the Eucharist.
"When you fast do not look gloomy," Jesus says. Fasting is a chance to rebel against the current social mores. Contrary to the images we see every day, more is not always better. The addictions of our society are a testament to this fact. Lenten fasting is an opportunity to practice constraint and exert control over those little demons threatening to overtake us. Do I overindulge in food? Drink? Shopping?
This year take this penitential period of the year and change your heart and mind. Look inward and experience metanoia.

Fr. Michael

Music Notes&
Singers, join the choir this Lenten Season! We are beginning rehearsals of timeless works of Mozart,Palestrina, Handel, Purcell and Gabrieli. No singer should leave this earth without having sung Mozart's Ave Verum! Rehearsals are Wednesday evening in the choir room and basses are especially welcome!

We are now offering meditative instrumental music at the 6:15 p.m. Mass. While the liturgy continues to be spoken, not sung, and no hymns are included, some of St. John's instrumental talent will play at certain times of the liturgy. Today's musician is guitarist Mark Hansen.


	Youth Newz& Wednesday, February 13^th is Ash Wednesday. There will be no Odyssey or JHL for junior high students. Service Club will not meet. Instead, all youth and their families are encouraged to attend the Ash Wednesday liturgy at 7:00pm.. Odyssey ( Jr. High Faith formation) will not meet on Ash Wednesday, February 13.Odyssey will meet again on Wednesday, February 20^th . Students are reminded to be "thinking ahead" about their "Pay it Forward" assignments due on February 27^th. Information about the assignment is available on the Youth Room website (www.theyouthroom.com) or you may call Sara Riehle if you have any questions 763-754-7666. JHL (Jr. High Live) will not meet Ash Wednesday, February 13^th. JHL will meet again on February 20^th from 7:30-9:00 in the youth room. All 7^th and 8^th graders are invited. Bring a friend! Senior high Service Club will not meet on Ash Wednesday. Service club will meet again on Wednesday, February 20^th from 6:00-9:00pm. Call Sara Riehle with questions 763-754-7666. Browsing the "web"? Be sure to check out www.theyouthroom.com for photos of youth activities, news of upcoming events, permission slips and more!


	Lenten Regulations The Christian faithful are to do penance through prayer, fasting, abstinence and by exercising works of piety and charity. All Friday through the year, and especially during Lent, are penitential days. ABSTINENCE All who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent. FASTING All those who are 18 or older, until their 59th Birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Only one full meal is allowed on days of fast. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's need: but, together, they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. The obligation does not apply to those whose health or ability to work would be affected seriously. People in doubt about fast or abstinence should consult a parish priest or confessor.