 My dear sisters and brothers, this week I'd like to share a most lovely and fitting Lenten poem for your enjoyment. This poem comes from the genius that is John Donne. But first, a little commentary regarding this poem from Canon Patrick Comerford, who is Lecturer in Anglicanism and Liturgy, the Church of Ireland Theological Institute and canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland.
"This is a poem that is appropriate for Lent, too, for it is a poem about penitence, forgiveness and the hope for new life and Resurrection.
In this poem, he emphasizes the role played by each person in the Holy Trinity plays in saving the penitent. As the heart is the gate to the body, he implores God the Father to break, not merely to knock, God the Holy Spirit to blow rather than breathe, and God the Son to burn, not just shine.
After imploring God to break into his heart, he says in his prayer that he loves God and wishes to be loved. But he finds himself in the same situation in which a woman has been forcibly betrothed to another. He asks God to take the role of a lover and free him. He knows the real security rests in the hands of God, and so invites God to capture him."
And now, without any further ado...
Batter my heart, three person'd God.
Batter my heart, three person'd God; for, you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy:
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again;
Take me to you, imprison me, for I
Except you enthral me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
As I retreat to the Episcopal Benedictine Abbey of St. Gregory in Three Rivers, Michigan for a couple days, be assured you will all be in my prayers, my thoughts and ever so close in my heart.
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6pm Friday Evenings in Lent
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 The church season of Lent invites us all into deeper, more intimate prayer as individuals and as a community. St. Nicholas invites all to come and join in communal prayer on Friday nights at 6pm, as we gather to pray the Stations of the Cross. This time together provides moments of meditation and shared prayers as we recall the path Jesus took to Golgotha. All are invited. |
The Healing Journey Chapter of OSL will be hosting a dinner and movie night at St. Nicholas Church on March 27th. We will be showing the movie Romero in memory of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was murdered because he spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture. Dinner will begin at 6 pm, followed by a brief liturgy at 7 pm. The movie will start at 7:45 and end with discussion at 9:30.
The dinner will be a simple soup and bread meal If you are interested in attending, please contact Thelma Malecek @ 630.766.2724 or Jennifer Brundige @ 847.347.5425. RSVP by March 23.
All are cordially invited!
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Spiritual Path to Healing
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A Healing Mission by the Order of St. Luke
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Order of Saint Luke Region 11 Healing Mission "Spiritual Path to Healing"
Missioner: Fr. Nigel Mumford, OSL
Dates: Fri. March 20th - Sat. March 21st
Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 409 E Court Street, Janesville, Wisconsin, (608) 754-3402
Event Contact: Adel Smith (608) 352-7459
Registration: Mail-in registration -and- on-site registration (no web registration)
Click here for a brochure.
Click here for a flyer.
Registration begins Friday, March 20th at 6 PM.
Mission ends Sat. March 21st after the 2:15 Healing Mass (probably about 6 or 7 PM).
Fr. Nigel will also preach at the Sunday Masses at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Fr. Nigel Mumford is an Episcopal priest with a dynamic and engaging, often humorous preaching style.
He has a particular gift for praying with folks suffering from any form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For Phil Cooper, a dear friend of our Penny and Hank Mandziara, as he struggles after emergency surgery: pray for Phil's condition to stabilize and steadily improve. Pray for his wife Lisa, as she endures with patience and strength at this most difficult of situations.
For Julie Peache, a young lady who has been diagnosed with cancer and tragically, has been told she has a very short time to live: Pray for Julie that she find peace in spite of her situation and pray for family who are wrought with pain and sorrow.
For Violet Borg-Gonzalez, Manny's sister, who is back in the hospital: pray she regains sound and lasting good health and is returns home safe and secure.
For members of our Support Groups that are having difficulties with their sobriety: pray for strength, guidance and the strong will to take "each day, one at a time."
For those who are homeless and without proper shelter: pray for their well being and safety.
For all Christians around the world as we celebrate our Lenten observance: pray we all journey to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God the Creator, Jesus our Redeemer and filled with the blessings of the Holy Spirit.
For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers: may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health: Connie Nicholson, Pat Beahr, Joanne Mangiaracina, Kesha, Vernon Forde, Dick and Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, Bob DeHaven, K.C., Dick Day, Dale Rickey, Paula O' Conner, Tim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
(***written prayer requests)
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To EVERYONE who made our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper such a wonderful time. A special thank you to the Penny and Hank Mandziara, Neal and Tess Setchell, the Maleceks, the Williams family, the Goldens, Hal and Steve who supplied the food, cooked and served it all up piping hot and oh, so tasty. And, without fail, to everyone who stuck around, cleaned up, reorganized and put the Hall back together again.
To LaWayne and Earl Williams who cleaned and brought a wonderful shine to the church bathrooms and kitchen...the place is as beautiful as your loving kindness is large!
To our fearless Food Pantry Team who made sure our shelves are well stocked with another trip to the food warehouse in Romeoville. Way to go, gentlemen.
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This Week at St. Nicholas
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As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link. Here is the schedule for the next week: |
| Wednesday, February 25, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Thursday, February 26, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Friday, February 27, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Stations of the Cross | 6:00 PM |
Saturday, February 28, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Sunday, March 01, 2015 | | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | | Adult Bible Study | 11:30 AM | | Children's / Youth Formation | 11:30 AM | | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM |
Monday, March 02, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM |
Tuesday, March 03, 2015 | | Vicar's Day Off | | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Building Committee Meeting | 6:30 PM | | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | | Wednesday, March 04, 2015 | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | | Food Pantry | 4:00 PM | | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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