March 31, 2025

TASTE EVENTS

• LAST TALK — We welcomed back Susan Brinkmann for the twelfth time as she concluded our Lenten series on healing as she gave a talk entitled "In His Image: Healing Our Self Esteem."  Susan reminded us how important it is for women to be healed of the damages of the culture that we live in, all the mixed messages that we receive every day, the paradoxical messages that we are told.... MORE. 

• NEW TALK, ACTUALLY STATIONS  — This week, we will be walking through the Stations of the Cross, but from a unique perspective.  Our very own Kathie Ryan and Ellen Curro will present to us "Mary's Way of the Cross."  We will follow along with the Mother of Jesus as she walks the road to Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, emphasizing her sense of surrender: "I knew it had to be, so I walked on silently."  Invite others to enter into this intimate journey of faith through a deep reflection that will unite our pain and suffering with Jesus on the Cross through the sorrowful Heart of His Mother.

• THIS WEEK'S DISCUSSION — We will discuss Susan Brinkmann's talk entitled "In His Image: Healing Our Self Esteem." The audio, video, reflection questions and other related material can be found HERE. The Zoom small group meets on the following Tuesday morning. Details on how to join can be found in a link at the bottom of this message.

• LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT — We feel called to do a Lenten Service Project this year, but since we are more than halfway through Lent, we want to make it easy to participate. We will collect items for the Food Pantry at St. Mary of the Mills this week and next week. The Food Pantry distributes groceries each week to more than 60 families, and they are also providing special Easter bags to these families. Needed items include: Cereal, Canned fruit, Canned meats (Spam, Chicken, Vienna Sausages), Canned beans, Boxed pasta, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti-O's, Chef Boyardee, Rice, Baby Wipes. These are the items listed on St. Mary's website, but they will also take any nonperishable items. Please check those expiration dates and only donate unopened and non-expired items. Thank you for your generosity!

OTHER EVENTS / INTEREST ITEMS

• 4/5 – SPRING GALA — St. Vincent Pallotti High School is having their Spring Gala on April 5, 2025.  Please consider either donating or attending this memorable evening filled with fun, fine dining, and spirited activities inspired by the timeless traditions of horse racing.  LINK Wish List  Sponsorship Form  Auction Item Donation Form

• 4/9 – DIVINE MERCY TALK — Our Lady of Perpetual Help is hosting Sr. Donata Farbaniec of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (The religious order of Saint Faustina) on April 9th from 7:00-8:30 pm to give a talk entitled "Divine Mercy: A Message for Today." Come hear this inspiring message about Divine Mercy.  Sister is sure to bring this beautiful devotion to life!  LINK

• 4/26 – FEAST OF BLESSED GILES SPRING FESTIVAL — The Little Portion Farm on the grounds of the Shrine of St. Anthony is hosting a Spring Festival in honor of Blessed Giles, Farmer and Friar.  One of our own, Helen Griffith, will be playing with her band at this event.  Come for a farm fresh meal, live music, farm tours (by Michele Cardamone's husband Mike), plant sales, and games.  See LINK.

• 4/26 – BENEFIT FOR WORLD VILLAGES FOR CHILDREN — St. Jude's Catholic Church in Rockville will be hosting this benefit with special guest Fr. Dan Leary. This is the organization Kevin Wells spoke to us about in his TASTE TALK on 10/21/2021. See HERE for additional details. Register at this LINK.

• 9/22 – PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND — Join Fr. Michael DeAscanis of St. Louis Catholic Church in Clarksville, MD on a 12-day pilgrimage to Ireland from September 22 - October 3, 2025.  LINK

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Please continue to pray for our TASTE program and our speakers. This week, please pray for:

• OUR SPEAKERS AND FRIENDS OF TASTE:  1) Fr. Larry Swink for healing and support and 2) In thanksgiving for Sr. Mary Michael's healing from back surgery. When you think of her, please lift up a prayer that she will continue to get stronger and be pain-free.

• OUR TASTE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES: 1) Healing for Maureen Filiault’s grandson Xavier who had a seizure, 2) Linda Lupaczyk for healing of her back and ankle pain, 3) Nancy Beckfeld, mother-in-law of Joy Parker, for guidance to decide next steps, 4) Maryanna Rice's continued healing, 5) Kate Christianson for eradication of her cancer, 6) Andrew, Larissa Cymerman's brother-in-law, in thanksgiving for a successful stem cell transplant and for a positive outcome for healing from blood cancer, 7) God's complete physical and spiritual healing for Helen Griffith's brother-in-law Rod, and 8) Maureen Filiault's sister, Nancy's healing from anxiety.
• We also pray for peace and comfort to the families of each of the people mentioned above.   New prayer requests can be sent to Joy Parker at joyparker73@gmail.com.