February 7, 2021

Ladies of TASTE,
  • Last week, we asked all of our TASTE members to ramp up prayers for Betty Albanesi and Gini Linsenmeyer.
    • It is with great sadness we inform you of Betty Albanesi's passing on February 2nd.  In addition to being a member of TASTE, she was also a member of the Ladies of Charity at St. Mary of the Mills and a kind and loving person. She will be dearly missed. Visitation will be at Saint Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, Laurel MD on February 18 from 10:30 until noon. The funeral will start at noon with interment immediately after at the adjoining cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Saint Mary of the Mills Church, 114 Saint Marys Place, Laurel, MD 20707 in the name of Betty Albanesi. The obituary is posted to Donaldson Funeral Home website.
    • As you recall, we were all praying that Gini Linsenmeyer would be able to return home to be with her family and that she would get some relief from her suffering.  While we are glad to report that God answered prayers for Gini to return home to be with her family, we are heartbroken to hear of her continued and extreme suffering.  But knowing Gini, she is probably offering it all up for special needs and no doubt, God will reward her in heaven.
    • Please continue to pray for both women and their families.  For those of you who may be trying to attach a face to the name, we are attaching their pictures.
  • We were so blessed to have Fr. Swink join us this past week to answer a number of our questions.  He spoke on a variety of topics including: proper reception of the Eucharist, the power of truth, how to respond to conflicting messages, how to best support family/friends who may not have faith to lean on in difficult times, and meditation as a vital form of prayer.   Related to that last point, he challenged us to spend at least 15 minutes a day in meditation with our Lord.

THIS WEEK AT TASTE: 

  • NEW TALK —This week, we welcome back to TASTE the Pastor of St. Mary of the Mills, Fr. Larry Young.  He will be talking to us about "Going into the Desert with Jesus". This talk will be live streamed and can be watched in the comfort of your home Thursday morning at 10:30 or anytime after it has been uploaded to our website.  Access this zoom session via this LINK with the password: TASTE2020   The Zoom meeting invitation is attached for further options and complete instructions.  Remember, we are not meeting at St. Mary's until further notice.

TASTE SMALL GROUPS: 

  • THIS WEEK'S DISCUSSION — We will reflect on Fr. Swink's talk where he answered many of our questions.  As usual, his discussion was rich with pointers to the Catechism, Scripture, and quotes from Saints as well as some personal stories that brought home his message.  The audio and video of his talk, Reflection Questions, and references that he mentioned are included HERE.  
  • GENERAL INFORMATION
    • For those planning to attend small group, you can use this LINK to always access materials to prepare for small group each week.
    • If you have not yet participated, but would like to, please make sure you have the Zoom app installed on your phone, tablet or computer.  LINK  See attached notes.
  • Please feel free to drop in to any of the virtual small groups (Zoom) that best meet your schedule.  Zoom small groups will last for 30 minutes:
    • MONDAYs from 10:00 - 10:30 facilitated by Maria Montgomery and Karen Schembari
    • TUESDAYs from 3:00 - 3:30 facilitated by Jennifer Dougherty and Debbie Schmidt
    • WEDNESDAYs from 11:00 - 11:30 facilitated by Mary Giesey and Lori Putman
  • Access the meeting via this LINK with the password as specified in our weekly email.  The Zoom meeting invitation is attached for further options and complete instructions.

SPECIAL REMINDERS

  • PRAYER REQUESTS —  Several of our TASTE sisters need our prayers. Please pray for Terri Bueno, her husband Ramon, and Laura Chighizola's family members who are battling or recovering from COVID. Please continue to keep Gini Linsenmeyer (see above), Helen Martin, Kate Christianson, Evelyn Dunne, Katylee McInerney, and Cristl Spicer (daughter of Cathy Homens) in your prayers. Please pray for the repose of Betty Albanesi's soul and God's healing and comfort for her husband Joe.  New prayer requests can be made to Joy Parker at joyparker73@gmail.com.
  • BRINGING PEOPLE BACK TO THE MASS — Brand new – and completely free – series by Dr. Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn focused on something we are all concerned about in this time: bringing as many people back to the Mass as possible.  This new study, called Parousia: The Bible and the Mass, is aimed at connecting the dots for Catholics and helping open our eyes to the beauty and wonder of the Mass – to deepen our love and appreciation for the Eucharist, showing how the Mass enables our whole faith to make sense. Sign up to watch for free – all ten episodes – and please share this with your friends, family, and parish.
  • LENTEN REFLECTION BOOK & WEEKLY DEVOTIONS —  To help you draw closer to God during this Lenten season, EWTN is offering a free eBook, 2021 Lenten Reflections.  Fr. Joseph will share a weekly devotional along with Sunday’s Mass readings to help us prepare for a glorious celebration of Easter.  As we take up our cross and follow Christ, our journey becomes one of love, healing, and forgiveness.  Here is a LINK to get your free copy of the 2021 Lenten Reflections eBook.  After you download it, you’ll also receive the weekly devotionals via email starting Ash Wednesday and continuing each Sunday of Lent.
  • ST. JOSEPH GEMS — As we celebrate this special Year of St. Joseph, transform your routine with a daily meditation from Fr. Donald Calloway's book St. Joseph Gems: Daily Wisdom on our Spiritual Father.  Meditations will begin arriving in your email on Feb. 1 and end on Dec. 8.  LINK
Blessings
Joy, Michele, Carolyn, and Karen
Jesus, I trust in You!

ATTACHMENTS:

Archive Versions of This Week Emails

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