“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
A young lady was dating a successful businessman. The relationship developed and the man was considering marriage. To make certain there was nothing in the woman’s past that would embarrass him, he hired a detective agency to run a check on her. The agency assigned an agent who was not told the client’s identity. When the agent reported back, he said, “The young woman is a splendid person, except for one unfortunate blemish. Lately, she has been dating a businessman of questionable reputation.”
This may lead us to ask ourselves, “Who is one person with whom I live or work that I may be misjudging?” Today’s first reading from the First Book of Samuel challenges us to not judge people by what is exterior to them, but what lies deep within. Do we see their inner beauty, their goodness, their dignity, and their self-worth? Even when people’s faults and sins deter us from looking into their hearts, ask God for the grace to continue to do so. May the Lord help us to deal with ugly situations in a beautiful way.
Lesser Known Virtues, The Virtue of Kindness
If there is any one virtue that our culture needs at this time, it is kindness. Have you ever gotten a slow start in going through a green light? What was the look or the gesture you got from the car behind you? How about a supposedly bad call by a referee at a basketball game. Did you have to cover your little child’s ears when the fans “responded” to the referee’s call? How about the Republican primary debates last year. Who ever thought a political debate should be pushed out of prime time because of “adult content”? Indeed, our age is in need of the virtue of kindness. If it were practiced to its fullest potential, most of today’s problems would be cut in half.
The virtue of kindness has the power to keep us from tearing one another apart and to stop us from shouting at one another. Kindness keeps the lines of communication open and allows us to speak with each other in a civilized manner. Kindness has the power to keep our dignity intact in often hurtful and cutthroat environments; it is the golden chain by which society is bound. To acquire this fundamental virtue, we should consider the following means to do so.
First, kindness begins with people and reminds us that they are part of our daily existence. As troublesome as some people may be, we can’t lose faith in them or avoid them. To grow in kindness, we must bring people together---to create occasions for person-to-person contact. Once you know someone well, it is hard to criticize them. We need to revive the lost art of visiting and socializing, which has been virtually lost in this age of technology, with all of its gadgets. We have to reexamine our lifestyle. We just might find that if we were to change our sense of visiting with each other ever so little, we might experience a much more kind and civilized life.
Second, kindness cannot grow within our souls unless we root out vices which are opposed to it, namely envy and pride. Acknowledging the human need for appreciation, kindness nevertheless implores us to avoid resentfulness at all costs and to pardon others when we might have been truly unappreciated. Kindness demands that we bury the hatchet, for the one who holds onto resentfulness will always be the one who loses. Life is too short; we must let go of that which will only shorten it more.
Lastly, the primary source of kindness is found in Jesus Christ, the essence of kindness. In His earthly ministry, Jesus did not offer kind words, deeds, and miracles merely because it was the “nice” thing to do. Rather, it was fidelity to His Father’s will that drove His kindness---a sense of higher cause and mission. We ask Jesus Christ for the virtue of kindness, so that we have what it takes to go out and speak in His name. In the words of Saint Theresa of Calcutta, “With kindness, we can do many beautiful things for God.”
When other people try to shroud your life with “dark clouds”, don’t let them destroy you. Rely upon the virtue of kindness, which makes us well disposed towards others and gives us the upper hand, for we can “kill them with kindness”. Envy, resentments, anger . . . all can be destroyed by the power of kindness.
Reason to Rejoice!
At this weekend’s Masses, you see me in a pink vestment. This is not to draw attention to myself (although, I must admit that I look great in pink!), but to draw attention to Laetare Sunday . . . Rejoice Sunday. We have reason to rejoice because this Sunday reminds us that Lent is now officially past the halfway mark. Easter is on the horizon, meaning the penitence of Lent will soon give way to the joy of Easter. This is great news!
But, while not wanting to temper the spirit of joy (like a typical German), we must assess our Lent up to this point. How have I been doing? Am I lax on my penances? Have I gone to Confession? Am I giving alms? Am I praying, perhaps the Stations of the Cross? In summary, have I been faithful to Lent and to where the Lord is calling me to convert my life to Him? Take it to prayer and keep up the effort . . . you still have three weeks of Lent left. Use this hallowed time wisely so that you may grow in holiness and have a glorious Easter. People claim Lent lacks joy, because of the penitential nature of this season. But, if Lent roots out sin in our souls and allows Jesus to enter more abundantly, then this is a cause for great joy. Have a blessed Laetare Sunday, as we rejoice in the beautiful things Jesus has done in our souls thus far this Lent.
How to Pray
Want to grow in prayerfulness this Lent? Consider some of the following prayer styles and methods that will allow you to draw closer to the Lord.
1) God wants to converse with you in the same manner you like to converse with others. He doesn’t want you to rattle on in such a way that you hardly notice Him.
2) Prayer is made of ACTS:
A-Adoration
C-Contrition (sorrow for sins)
T-Thanksgiving
S- Supplication (your requests of God)
3) Kneel or sit respectfully when you pray. Your body and soul are one. The way you carry your body in prayer is important; a lack of reverence leads to a lack of prayerfulness and spiritual fulfillment.
4) Start your time in prayer by remembering God is present and telling Him in your own words why you believe in Him, hope in Him, and love Him.
5) If you get “stuck”, you can slowly repeat the words of a simple prayer like, “My God, I adore your divine greatness from the depths of my lowliness”; or “Jesus, lift me up and draw me closer to your Sacred Heart”, or “Jesus, help me!”.
6) Read a brief passage from the Gospels and picture it happening, mentally placing yourself in the passage. You can even imagine Jesus sitting with you.
Taste of the Nation . . . Almost Here!
Next Sunday, April 2nd, you are welcome to join us for the Taste of the Nation Meal at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of Stanley. This annual youth fundraiser will take place immediately after the 11:00 a.m. Mass and know that it is a free will offering.
This year, we are going to offer a culinary survey of the great foods of the United States of America, those that are common staples (apple pie, hamburgers, cheesecake, etc.) and those that are fairly new on the scene (Filipino lumpia, Mexican sopes, and German Strudels). It will be a great meal, with an array of food to please any palate. If you go away hungry that night, it will be your own fault! If you eat the lutefisk and go away with a severe stomach ache, that will also be your own fault (what were you thinking!).
We are still in need of people willing to provide the various dishes: an appetizer, a main dish, and/or a dessert. We ask that you set these up before Mass, so it may entail coming to Mass the night before. We will have tables set out for you, with decorations for that region of the United States. If you have other ideas for how to make the tables more festive and fun, please pass them onto Connie O’Konek. Thank you!
We will see you at the Taste of the Nation, a time to enjoy great good, great company, and the blessing of living in the greatest nation on the earth. God bless America!
A Change of Time
Please note that next weekend, April 1st and 2nd, we change our weekend Mass schedule to the summer schedule. The Saturday vigil Mass at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary remains the same (5:00 p.m.), but the Sunday morning Mass schedule will now change. The 8:30 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at Saint Ann’s of Berthold and the 11:00 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Stanley. I now have more time to remain after Mass at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary; I wonder if this means more home visits and meals after Mass, with giant pieces of chocolate cake or peach pie (hint, hint).
Holy Week Schedule
As many people are super organized and great planners (a skill they need to teach me!), I am placing the Holy Week schedule in this bulletin, so they can begin planning ahead for the liturgical and family celebrations.
Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s: 7:00 p.m. , Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
Good Friday, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion: noon, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary; 3:00 p.m., Saint Ann’s; and 7:00 p.m., Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil Mass: 8:15 p.m., Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., Saint Ann’s; 11:00 a.m., Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
Note: We are in need of liturgical minsters for these liturgies, so please be generous with your talents and time when we place sign-up sheets in the back of our parish churches. Know that on Holy Thursday, there will be an Altar of Reposition in the Faith & Family Room of the parish center of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. There will be Eucharistic Adoration from the close of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper until midnight. Come and prayerfully respond to the Lord’s plea in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Could you not spend one hour with me?”
NFP . . .Myth vs. Reality
Myth: NFP does not allow for sexual spontaneity
Reality: Most of the time, “spontaneity” in sex is itself a myth
Modern culture is awash in sexual messages. This may fool us into thinking that “everyone” is having sex as often as possible and always “spontaneously”! Even married couples fall into this trap. Or, they may think that their sex lives would be more spontaneous “if only” their spouse wanted sex at the same time as they did. The reality is that most marital sexual encounters are planned, or at least they happen in situations favorable to love-making that are set up by agreement, regardless of the family planning method used. Otherwise, in the press of daily life with jobs, household chores, social commitments, children’s demands, etc., a husband and wife would rarely have sex!
For NFP couples, the periodic sexual abstinence for postponing a pregnancy can be a gift, allowing the couple to grow individually and as a couple. Such selfmastery fosters authentic freedom, where one’s desires are put in the service to the other---a necessary ingredient for marriage! Real sexual spontaneity depends upon real freedom---and NFP fosters such freedom.
Happy Anniversary:
Mitchell & Doris Bures April 11th
Lester & Angie Gustafson April 30th
Rene & Lorena Vergara April 29th
Happy Birthday
April Bacor April 1st
Anna Debroeck April 2nd
Kelly Hanson April 3rd
Carissa Bieri April 4th
Blair Hynek April 9th
Jared Gustafsen April 6th
Marley Christine April 6th
Calli Hennessy April 8th
Karyn Meyer April 8
Cristal Aguilar April 8th
Janet Sandeen April 10th
Jeff SauberJr. (JD) April 11th
Freddie Bieri April 12th
Cati Hennessy April 12th
Mark Beehler April 14
Nicholas Curren April 16th
Lukas Medina April 19th
Vincent Medina April 19th
Hudson DeBroek April 20th
Doris Goettle April 23rd
Jake Brewster April 24th
Ryan Ross April 24th
Aiden Medina April 26th
Carter Jenkins April 28th