The Newest E-News

Lent is quickly approaching- this week on Ash Wednesday we will be greeted with the words "Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel" as we begin our 40 day preparation for Easter. As Catholics we focus on 3 forms of conversion during Lent- prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Have you thought about what you will do for the Lenten season? The time is short, friends! The Lord longs for each of us to prayerfully consider what we might do to open our hearts more fully to His love. Lent is a great opportunity for us to get in shape spiritually.

How could you deepen your commitment to prayer this Lent? In what ways could you honor the Lord by observing a fast? How might you be a better steward of all that God has entrusted you with?

Here are a few ideas you might consider for Lent:

• Pray the Rosary everyday
  
• Read a chapter of a Gospel in the Bible everyday
  
• Join the Village Thursday nights for Bible Study


• Pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays


• Examine your conscience each night
  
• Give up eating sweets
  
• Give up adding salt to your food
  
• Give up adding condiments to your food


• Tithe a portion of your allowance and give it to the poor
  
• Intentionally spend time getting to know your siblings each week
  
• Help your parents make dinner once or twice each week

What will *you* do for Lent?

--------------------------------------------------------

VILLAGE NEWS

No Village Sunday, 2/3 due to the Superbowl :(

Confirmation Reception Hosted by the Village Saturday, 2/2
Help setup for the Village Confirmation Reception this Saturday! Confirmation Mass begins at 11am, and Reception follows Mass. The goal here is to get to know those recently confirmed and let them know abt the Village! Wear a Village shirt if you have one. If you are able to attend the Mass that’s great, if not, please arrive by 12 noon to get things ready in the Parish Hall.

Steubenville Summer Retreat
Registration will be starting soon for the Steubenville Summer Youth Conference June 13-15! We have 25 spots reserved. Throughout the weekend we will spend time with Christ in Adoration, be fed by His Body and Blood at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, receive His forgiveness in Reconciliation, enter into praise and worship with powerful music, and be encouraged and challenged by some of the finest Catholic speakers in the country. Over 40,000 teens attend a Steubenville Conference every summer!!

Bible Study is Every Thursday, 7-8:30pm
Due to popular demand, our old Bible Study is coming back! Join Beth Montgomery and Volunteer Rachel Dudek in studying the book of 1 Peter this semester, on Thursday nights from 7-8:30pm here at St Thomas.

Beauty

For my girls….

Ever heard the song Beautiful by Bethany Dillon? Well, if you haven't, then go on YouTube or something, and type it in, and listen to the song. The song is very powerful, and every single girl out there can relate to its lyrics. The song talks about a girl struggling to fit in with the "popular" crowd, and totally loosing sight of who she really is, but then she comes back to Jesus, and realizes she is beautiful in his eyes, and that is all that matters. here's a link to the song if you want to listen to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vu_nmZ1pXc

I know the society we live in today stereotypes the meaning of the word beautiful, but the beautiful they have is a vague, scary image of what beauty truly is. Beauty isn't necessarily the scarcely dressed fake actresses and models. Beauty is everywhere, but because of the world we live in today, we seem to loose sight of this. I think its time we brought true beauty back. True beauty isn't found in a magazine, its found deep in the hearts of a girl. [A Daughter of God!!]

If you look the word up (I went on dictionary.com), this is probably what you'll get, "wonderful; very pleasing or satisfying" wonderful…what a word. If you ask me, it describes each and every one of you. Because frankly, you are all wonderful, and amazing, and anyone who tells you otherwise must be under some delusion. You all are beautiful. Not hot, not sexy, but beautiful. Never ever forget that. It's something we all need to hear, and so I'm saying it. You all are BEAUTIFUL.

Love ya'll~Melissa
-------------------------------------------------------
Check out one of our own Beautiful Women, Sister Britt!! Here she is at the March for Life in DC last week. Please keep her in your prayers! (Thanks for the pic, Peters..!)

No Village Social

Hey Team,

Woot for a great New Year's Eve Party!! There is no Village Social this week, 1/4- our next Village event will be our Disney Movie Night this Sunday from 5-8pm. Bring a snack to share, and all your favorite Disney cartoons! We'll be voting on which one to watch...

God Bless you all!!