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From the Director's Desk
Dear
Prayer, fasting, almsgiving. These are the usual Lenten practices. At first glance they may come across to some as fairly easy and to others as tremendously difficult. "Fairly easy?" That may seem like a strange phrase associated with Lent! "Tremendously difficult" seems more appropriate. If Lent is simply about will-power and individual spiritual "achievement", then it will be fairly easy. If Lent is lived with the belief that spiritual accomplishment is somehow done mostly by us rather than primarily by God who forms and transforms then it will be tremendously difficult. Pope Francis, though, calls us to the balance that we need during this holy season of renewal:
"Lent is a favorable time for letting Christ serve us so that we in turn may become more like him." (2015 Lenten Message).
Christ is offering through these three traditional ways of prayer, fasting and almsgiving an opportunity for us to be served by him. He wants to be in regular, consistent, and open communication with us (prayer), to help us use only what we need and even deny the desires of self in order to be more fully for him and for others (fasting), and to give of our time, talent and treasure to our brothers and sisters, especially the poor (almsgiving).
As a way to assist you in your renewal this Lent, we offer you not only a page of many Lenten resources, but also our prayerful solidarity with you. We join also with the aspiration of Pope Francis expressed at the end of his Lenten Message:
"It is my prayerful hope that this Lent will prove spiritually fruitful for each believer and every ecclesial community."
May this Lent be spiritually fruitful for you!
In God, the Infinite Love,
Fr. Frank
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Today marks the beginning of Lent and a transition as we turn our focus to six weeks of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church provides us with many beautiful teachings in this Lenten season and we encourage you to learn more about them through our Lenten Resource page. Complete with many different Lenten reflections, guides to the Sacrament of Penance, the Stations of the Cross and more, we hope that this provides you with a valuable resource for Lent! Be sure to check it out by clicking here and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
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Mid-Atlantic Congress 2015
We enjoyed the opportunity to see so many friends and colleagues, both old and new alike, at the Mid-Atlantic Congress last week in Baltimore, Maryland. As a Platinum Sponsor of the conference, the Catholic Apostolate Center was pleased to host many participants at our Collaborative Connections networking reception on Thursday evening, our four presentations and our booth in the exhibit area. Our staff enjoyed the opportunity to speak with so many attendees, hear about the work of so many ministries, and even snap a few pictures in the photo booth! For those of you who we just met recently, we invite you to visit our website and connect with us via social media. We are here to provide the resources needed to assist in both your ministry and personal faith. Know that our inbox is always open to your comments, suggestions or requests.
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Ash Wednesday
Even now, says the Lord,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping,
and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the Lord, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the Lord, your God.
-Joel 2:12-14
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From the Ad Infinitum Blog
Reflections on Ash Wednesday
by Jennifer Beckmann
Administrative Secretary
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Did you forget to wash your face this morning?
As someone who doesn't like to draw attention to herself, stares and questions can make Ash Wednesday hard. It is the only day of the year (at least to my knowledge) where people can immediately identify you as Christian on sight. You don't even have to do anything; it is right there, spelled out in black and white, on your forehead.
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Interact with us on Social Media!
Don't forget to "Follow" and "Like" us on social media! Whether it be on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, come join the conversation as we share more ministry and Church resources daily. Click any of the links below for more information!
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Year of Consecrated Life Portal
Two weeks ago the global Church celebrated the World Day for Consecrated Life, which carried even greater meaning within this Year of Consecrated Life, announced by Pope Francis. As a ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) and the priests and brothers of the Immaculate Conception Province here in the United States, this Year of Consecrated Life carries great significance in our work here at the Catholic Apostolate Center. We invite you to visit our resource page which compiles resources from many different Church ministries, publications and leaders. Our prayer is that these resources may assist us in coming to a fuller appreciation and understanding of the part that consecrated religious play in the life of our global Church community. Click here to visit our Year of Consecrated Life resource page.
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Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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