LENTEN IDEAS FROM FR. PATRICK O’LOUGHLIN

Lenten Ideas from Fr. Patrick O’Loughlin

Christian tradition holds that Lent is a time of renewed commitment to prayer, self-sacrifice, and acts of charity. Lent can also be a time for us to review our lives as a whole and to consider the ways we respond to God’s call. On the pages below I have listed some ideas that you might consider during this season of preparation. Along with the many other programs and offerings taking place at St. Matthew during Lent, these suggestions might help you make this season even more fruitful.

Service to others

Funeral hosts: St. Matthew’s Bereavement Ministry does a wonderful job offering hospitality and refreshments to those who gather for funeral visitations at the parish. I think it would be wonderful to have some additional individuals who would be willing to attend to funeral families during visitations. Duties might include welcoming guests, giving directions to the coatroom and restrooms, and meeting other needs. Funeral hosts could also assist me during the liturgy as possible lectors and eucharistic ministers. This ministry would be very helpful to me! Please let me know if you would be willing to consider this work.

Wedding hosts: Weddings are important and complicated events at St. Matthew. The liturgies involve many participants and many non-parishioners attend as guests. Great effort is needed to keep things running smoothly, and you can help! Wedding hosts would help the bride and groom and their attendants get ready for the ceremony, direct guests, and perform similar activities. They could also assist me in tasks such as answering questions from those participating in the ceremony and getting everyone in position before the ceremony. No special skills are needed and I will provide all training. Interested? Let me know.

Parish visitors to the homebound: I am making an effort to get myself better organized in this area. If you can make even occasional communion calls or visits, please let me know.

Charitable Giving

Participate in the Scrip Program: If this program expanded to its full potential at St. Matthew, it could eliminate the need for many other parish fundraising campaigns. The program is simple: For a payment of $25, you receive a gift card worth $25 (other amounts are also available). There are no extra charges: You get a gift card worth the exact amount you paid! That’s it. How does the parish make money? We purchase the gift cards at a discount, usually 1-7%. So: Simply by purchasing gift cards through the Scrip program, you support the parish at no extra cost to you. Maybe we could all use Lent to get in the practice of purchasing Scrip cards to pay for the gas we use in our cars. It would make a huge difference to the parish.

Catholic Stewardship Appeal: St. Matthew did accomplish its fundraising goal last year. Thank you! Please look for the materials that will be mailed to you directly by the archdiocese and give what you can. If you’ve never contributed before or have limited resources, please consider a donation of $27. If every family contributes $27, we will make our goal again this year. Perhaps even your children could donate toward this important effort. What better way to learn the virtues of stewardship and service to others!

Helping Hands for Haiti: This will be our parish focus during Lent. Please consult the parish bulletin for updates on activities and our progress.

$25 Scrip cards for parishioners in need: Your response to my personal appeal has been gratifying. Gift cards in any amount can be directed to me and I will make sure they get to parishioners who could use a little help during this economic downturn.

Faith in Our Future: I am very grateful for the almost $300,000 pledged by parishioners thus far. With our 60% share of this total, some great projects have been, and will be, accomplished at St. Matthew. Maybe you weren’t sure about FIOF, or weren’t in a position to contribute, when the parish held its pledge drive in May 2009. It’s not too late! You can make contributions between now and May 2012. You can also make a one-time payment of any amount you wish. Faith in Our Future materials are in the gathering space, and I will be happy to answer any questions.

Those things we always put off…

Perhaps this Lent we can all take on the challenge to accomplish one important project that we always seem to put off until later…which never seems to come!

Write or update your will. A well-prepared will is very important, and can save your heirs a lot of hardship. Getting this document in order might entail some small sacrifice, but it is well worth the effort.

Write or update your Power of Attorney for Health Care and a Financial Power of Attorney. Documents like these allow others to make health care and financial decisions for you if you are unable to do so. The time to make decisions about your future well being is NOW, not after something bad has happened. Consulting a lawyer is a good idea to make sure all the details are covered. I can suggest possible attorneys to work with you if you wish.

Help me plan your funeral or someone else’s funeral. I’m not kidding! Funerals are among the most important things I do, and I want to do the best job I can. Families who have lost loved ones can be so stressed or disheartened that planning a suitable liturgy can be challenging. We can spare our own families some of this stress by making our wishes known in advance. Who knows the kind of funeral we would want more than us?

I have put together three different documents to help in this process. (They can be found above the CareNotes in the gathering space. Another set will soon be placed by the east entrance to the church.)

1. Funeral planning sheets whereon you can select readings, music, and the people you would like to take part in your funeral liturgy. You can also record your own thoughts on the ministries and activities that meant the most to you as you followed Christ during your life.

2. A list of suggested scripture readings for the funeral liturgy. You are not limited to these readings, but they may be helpful to you in selecting the scriptures for your funeral.

3. A sheet on which to record remembrances of your fellow parishioners. Many older parishioners have fewer surviving friends and relatives who know their contributions to the life of St. Matthew. Only rarely do many people participate in the funeral planning. On this sheet you can record your memories of anyone you wish—even yourself. I will file this information and consult it at the appropriate time. This could be a great gift to those you love!