April 24, 2022
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We hope that everyone enjoyed the Octave of Easter from Easter Sunday to Divine Mercy Sunday.
- Today is the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, often portrayed as or with a Lion. Perhaps that was because he had the courage to uproot himself to join Peter in the dangerous adventure of founding the Church. Saint Mark is best known as the author of a Gospel. Like Saint Luke and Saint Paul, he was not one of the Twelve Apostles and so likely never met Jesus Christ in person. Scholars believe that the Gospel of Saint Mark relates the experiences of Saint Peter, Mark’s mentor. Today, we pray that our Lord graces us with the courage and humility of St. Mark. Let us also remember to seek a mentor in Jesus, the Saints, and Godly people here on earth and also to be a mentor to others on this journey.
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Prior to our Easter Break, Mike Tenney gave his sixth and final talk in our Lenten Series on Catholic Spirituality entitled "The Little Way & Opus Dei: Therese & Josemaria." Mike finished his Lenten Series with a couple of modern saints. He began by focusing on St. Therese, also known as the "Little Flower." She died at the end of the 19th Century and was canonized in 1925, some 28 years after her death. She lived for nine years as a cloistered Carmelite nun. Therese felt overwhelmed by the great saints, and by her own inability to be as holy as them, and so she found her "Little Way." Without the encouragement of her sister prioress to write her story, the world might never have found out about Therese and her Story of a Soul. Therese's spirituality is to remain little, and become less. Two principles are: 1) To think of your relationship to God as that of a small child to a loving parent, and 2) To do small acts of love that no one sees with great love. Therese was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II which, given her short and hidden life, speaks to the power a cloistered nun who focused on the little things can have on the world. St. Josemaria Escriva was born in Spain and lived in the first three quarters of the 20th Century. He was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Josemaria founded Opus Dei in 1928 in his homeland of Spain. Mike spent some time discussing this large organization of priests and laity. (Please use the link above to access their website for further details). The two basic principles are: 1) The Unity of Life, the idea that our whole life serves the one purpose of holiness, and this "Plan of Life" is about making the activities of your day a prayer, and 2) Sanctification of Work - as you do your work, allow God to enter in with moments of contemplation, and do your work with cheerfulness. How does one pray as Therese and Josemaria? 1) Apart from time set aside specifically for prayer, bring God into the other parts of your life, "offer it up," invite God into the small tasks, and 2) Turn internal monologue into a conversation with God. Mike left us with a final assignment: Take all the types of prayer we have learned over the last six weeks, and select some that resonate with us into a "Plan of Life" so as to set our day up to be open to Grace. Also, think about hard things/tasks in life and take one or two and see about how to bring a spirit of contemplation and cheerfulness to them.
THIS WEEK AT TASTE
- NEW TALK — This week we welcome Susan Brinkmann as she returns to TASTE with a talk entitled "Leading Like Judith: How We Can Bring Peace to Our Times."
- THIS WEEK'S DISCUSSION — We will discuss Mike Tenney's talk entitled "The Little Way & Opus Dei: Therese & Josemaria." This talk as well as the reflection questions can be found HERE.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- END OF YEAR POTLUCK BRUNCH — We will be having an end of year potluck brunch on Thursday, May 12th immediately following the 9:00 am Mass downstairs in the Breen Room. If you have not already done so, please fill out this very short RSVP SURVEY. We hope you can join us!
- OUR LAST PRESENTATION — Thanks to all who have submitted questions for our last presentation on May 5th where Fr. Larry Swink will answer our questions about our faith, what is happening in our world today, etc.!
- UPCOMING ICC CLASS — The Institute of Catholic Culture is offering a new on-line class entitled "Catholic Bioethics." Learn not only what the Church teaches, but why. Registration is now open for this class which runs from May 16 until October 17. The class is free. See HERE for details.
SPECIAL REMINDERS
- PRAYER REQUESTS — Several of our TASTE sisters need our prayers. Please also pray for:
- All our TASTE sisters, especially Kate Christianson, Katylee McInerney, Geraldine Broglio, and Lauren (16) who is being sponsored for Confirmation by Peggy Gignilliat. Lauren has been struggling with depression for years, currently refusing to take her medications, and causing her parents much worry.
- Our spiritual director, Fr. Larry Swink as well as all of the priests in the Baltimore and Washington Archdioceses, especially those of whom you may have spiritually adopted.
- Our speakers and their families — especially: 1) Susan Conroy for her health, 2) Colleen Duggan and family, especially baby Caleb and 3) Sister Mary Michael Fox: a special intention concerning her family.
- Supreme Court Justices and All Judges — Please let us all pray today for wisdom, strength, and courage for our Supreme Court Justices and all judges and for Life to be victorious.
- New prayer requests can be sent to Joy Parker at joyparker73@gmail.com.
CONTINUED REMINDERS
- FR. SWINK'S WEBSITE — His new website called Quis ut Deus includes information on future retreats, talks, videos, pilgrimages, and recollections. We have permanently included this LINK on Fr. Swink's speaker page for future reference.
- USCCB & SUPREME COURT — For a reminder of prayer intentions for the USCCB and Supreme Court, please view this LINK and see UPDATE.
- LOGISTICS — For a reminder of any information associated with zoom small group, parking, masks, public health, babysitting, or registration, please view this LINK.
- DONATIONS — For a reminder of how to donate to TASTE or the Sisters of the Servants of the Lord, please view this LINK.
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