Lent 2011

ASH WEDNESDAY: MARCH 9

Collection will be taken for Operation Rice Bowl!

8:30 a.m. - Eucharist & Distribution of Ashes

11:00 a.m. - Prayer Service & Distribution of Ashes

(children from parish school will participate, open to  all)

3:30 p.m. - Prayer Service & Distribution of Ashes

(families with children in faith formation are encouraged to participate)

7:00 p.m. - Prayer Service & Distribution of Ashes

led by teens, open to ALL

All of these services will be held in the church.

Soup Suppers & Adult Ed. Thursdays, March 10, 17 & 24

6:15 Soup Supper (Rice Bowl Collection)

7:00 - 8:30 Adult Ed. with Fr. Tom Bonacci

Lent, Season of the Year or Attitude of Life: The three traditional practices of Lent - prayer, almsgiving & fasting - form the backbone of justice understood as mercy in this modern world. Now more than ever our spiritual practices must be measured by our willingness to live as Jesus would live. We are called to be his loving and risen presence to all we meet, both friend and foe alike.

We're also offering a special program for children during the same time (6:15 - 8:30). The children will meet in the Religious Resource Center, have a pizza dinner and watch a movie afterwards.

Forty teens gathered at the Marin Headlands at the end of February for their Confirmation Retreat.  The retreat, part of the formal preparation to receive the Sacrament, focused on discovering the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit present in their lives and in the lives of others.  Despite weather forecasts for snow at the retreat location, the candidates enjoyed a sunny setting as they engaged in prayer, discussions, and activities to see the gifts of wisdom, understanding, judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe.

St. Perpetua School Celebrates Literacy!

During the first week of March, St. Perpetua School was transformed in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.  Classroom doors were decorated to reflect favorite books, students dressed as their favorite book character and enjoyed delicious homemade Cat in the Hat cookies, guest readers, including Lafayette mayor, Carl Anduri,  visited the school to read to the classes, and time was set aside for a school wide reading period.   

If you would like to learn more about St. Perpetua School, visit our website and enjoy a virtual tour or you may call the school office at 284-1640 for more information.

Many of you remember Michael Kistner, a choir member and cantor at St. Perpetua for 16 years.  In 1999 he joined the St. Perpetua ministry to the sick and homebound.  He took his guitar, a few of his favorite church songs, some scriptural passages, and the Holy Eucharist to an elderly care home in Lafayette.  Since then his ministry has grown to over 20 elderly care facilities throughout Contra Costa County.

Michael has experienced the rewards of sharing his musical gifts with others and asks anyone who would be interested in becoming a pastoral musician to the elderly to contact him at (925) 516-6970, or at harve12@sbcglobal.net.  He has a listing of care homes in our area, and is willing to train and assist others in their own ministries.  View a segment of what a visitation to the elderly is like.

Canned Fruit / Vegetables/Hominy

Thank you so much for your generosity!