Reclaim Your Sundays

March
Elevated Conversation & Prayer

“The spirit of love which reigns in a family guides both mother and child in their conversations; therein they teach and learn, experience correction and grow in appreciation of what is good.”
- Evangelli Gaudium 139

The power of conversation in a family cannot be overstated. The act of listening with the ear of the heart and responding out of love to what was heard is the bedrock of trust in the family. Taking time to engage in this kind of conversation can often get pushed aside for the utilitarian needs that take priority in working to manage frantic family life.

ENTER INTO THE LORD’S DAY
(POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES FOR MARCH):

Pray with Hallow the Discernment Novena

• Set aside time for intentional conversation and check on each other’s “highs and lows” from the week. Check out this article with helpful hints for parents Evening High-Low-Thanks: The 10 Minute Family Ritual. 

• Read or listen to the daily Gospels. Discuss the reading.  

  • For families:  Loyola Press Sunday Connection or 52 Sundays from the Archdiocese of Detroit 

  • For adults:   Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB;  and Formed Daily Mass Readings & Reflections - Formed 

• Set aside one-on-one time with family. Choose an outing between a parent and a child, or with one of your siblings to encourage conversations that may be lost in the busyness of family life. Grab a bite to eat or head to a coffee shop for coffee or cocoa.  

• Consider a silent dinner (counter intuitive to elevated conversation) - during the silent dinner, a piece of music is listened to, a good podcast, or read aloud a book. Then discuss. This will lead to elevated conversation following the experience.  

• Liturgical Living: Celebrate these Solemnities. It’s like a Sunday, so have a good meal together and eat a dessert! 

  • And celebrate St. Joseph’s solemnity on March 19. Attend Madd and find ways to honor your father and grandfathers in some way. Remember your spiritual fathers as well, show appreciation to your priest.    

  • Celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation on March 26 in some way. It is a break from Lent and nine months to Christmas! 

• Live Lent Together! at OLG:  

  • Attend Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 6 pm in the Church 

  • Attend the Lent Holy Hour by Candlelight at 7 pm on Wednesday, March 11 with beautiful music, Scripture reflection, and silence 

  • Attend the Day of Mercy on Tuesday, March 24 from 7 am-8 pm in the Church with many visiting priests available for the Sacraments of Reconciliation 

  • Look ahead to Holy Week and plan to attend the highlighted services: 

    • Palm Sunday wear read. Regular Sunday Mass Schedule

    • Thursday, April 2: Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 PM 

    • Friday, April 3: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 7 PM 

    • Saturday, April 4: Easter Vigil at 8 PM 

    • Morning Prayers: April 3, April 4 at 9 AM and April 5 at 8:30 AM 

    • Stations of the Cross: Friday, April 3 at 3 PM 
      

Adapted from the document RECLAIMING SUNDAYS from the ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS

Homily Series: The Parish as a School of Prayer

Fr. Nick Vance offers a homily series on Prayer. Pope St. John Paull II called the parish the school of prayer. Listen to the series for hear wisdom and practical ways we can deepen our relationship with God through prayer.