You may have already taken one of the invitation cards to join us in our Lenten series "THE GIFT OF ADORATION": HOW DO WE ADORE? IS YOUR PRAYER LIFE DRY OR BORING?

"Prayer is one of the most basic elements of a life of faith, but it is not always easy to do. Though we are taught that prayer is a conversation with God, we often feel as if the conversation is completely one-sided, JOIN US AS WE EXPLORE TO GROW CLOSER TO JESUS CHRIST THROUGH ADORATION".

Prayer is very personal. We all have different ways of praying. In its broadest meaning, prayer is "to feel the presence of God". It is to be aware that God is always with us. I often quote Brother Lawrence's inspirational book: "The practice of the presence of God." Prayer is to lift up our hearts toward God. Prayer helps nourish our Faith, which is a GIFT of GOD.

We can all benefit from spending time in ADORATION of the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a Monstrance. I am a visual person and look forward to spending time looking at JESUS in EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. While we provide many hours of ADORATION of the exposed Blessed Sacrament in our church, many people have asked questions about HOW TO ADORE, such as:

How can I PRAY during a full hour?
Are there special prayers that can help ADORE OUR LORD?
How can I hear God whispering to me?

You may have other questions about ADORATION AND PRAYER. In addition to formal presentations, we will have small group discussions and opportunities to ask questions and share our personal experiences. COME AND JOIN US BEGINNING THIS WEEK 7 PM THURSDAY, MARCH 3rd OR 10 AM SATURDAY, MARCH 5th. Meetings will take place in the Father Martin Hall. You can also join via Zoom.

To facilitate logistics of this new GIFT series, we encourage you to register. You can sign up online on our website (www.olhoc.org/giftofadoration) or you can call the office. There is also a sign- up sheet in the Narthex. You can choose to come either on Thursday evenings (7 pm) or Saturday mornings (10 am). You can bring friends. Also, if you have small children and need baby-sitting, let us know in advance by calling the office.

LENT IS A TIME OF PRAYER and PENANCE. Our parish Lenten theme is RECONCILIATION and ADORATION. Recall the EUCHARISTIC TRIANGLE OF LOVE based on Reconciliation and Adoration (last week's bulletin):


We look forward to entering this new Lenten Journey with all of you beginning ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd (Masses at 7 AM, 9 AM, NOON and 7 PM). We encourage everyone to RECONCILE WITH GOD this Lent, by attending our Parish Penance Service at 7 PM NEXT MONDAY MARCH 7.

Let us pray with St Paul: "We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, ALWAYS SEEK WHAT IS GOOD FOR EACH OTHER and FOR ALL. REJOICE ALWAYS. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING."
(1 Thessalonians 5:15-17)

May the HOLY SPIRIT guide each one of us during these 40 DAYS of LENT in preparation for the HOLY WEEK: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and EASTER, the greatest celebration of the Liturgical Year!

One in Christ,

Father Alain