LOST!

I've been thinking a lot about the concept of being 'lost' these days...for a couple reasons.

1. I've become obsessed with the TV Show! Although I'm about 3 years behind the show, I love the idea of having no idea where you are... having to look for clues... and the adventure of chaos at every turn.

2. I seem to get lost quite a bit! This past weekend I roadtrip-ed it to Cincinnati with Rachel, only to get lost innumerable times! Maps and I don't get along- so I turn to Mapquest, only to be confused when signs don't read exactly as Mapquest said they would. Sunday afternoon I was wandering through downtown Cincinnati talking to Rob on the phone- only to realize I had gone 15 minutes in the wrong direction!

There are millions of ways to get lost in real life- wrong turns, confusion, anger, and sin to name a few. Of course recognizing that you are lost suggests there is somewhere you are trying to go!

As Catholics we are called to Put Out Into the Deep- to follow Jesus into the deep waters...to put our trust in Him to the test. It's easy to trust in Jesus when you stay in the shallow end. Jesus calls us to recognize *who* we are- and *what* we are called to! This semester, at Spring Retreat, we will be focusing on who we are.

Beloved. Chosen. Called.

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Village News:

Village Volunteer Changes: Bethany Thelen to focus more on Catholic Nursing Student Association

Catching a Goose

Many of you know that I volunteer at the petting zoo over at Domino's farm once a week. I feed the sheep and the cows, take water to the 800lb pig, and chase around my favorite baby goat. Mostly, I do whatever they ask! This week I was asked to climb into a giant pen with geese and ducks, and catch two of them. Now, if we were together, I would ask for a show of hands to see how many of us have attempted this...Suffice to say it was *my* first time.

I managed to climb the wire fence...and I approached with all the stealth-ness I could muster. Perhaps the 8ft net gave me away, bc I think they knew I was coming! Finally, I managed to corner a couple of them, but my net got caught on on a root. Not wanting to lose the opportunity, I dove in to catch the goose with my arms! I imagine my dive was quite a ridiculous sight to behold..but I sure caught that goose.

We are often afraid to really dive for the things we want. We are afraid of looking foolish, or of trying our hardest and still failing. As we prepare for Spring Retreat, Jesus asks us to be courageous and to dive deeper into our faith. Our theme for the upcoming Spring Retreat is "Put Out Into the Deep"! This passage comes in Luke Chapter 5, when Jesus invites Peter to put his boat out into the deep for a catch. Peter had been fishing all night and caught nothing, but in his weariness he obeys and is richly rewarded. The goal of this retreat is to listen for the personal call of Jesus- to recognize that we are beloved, chosen, and called.

More information will be coming this Sunday about our Spring Retreat, March 28-30th.

Anybody have a funny story about a goose? Any farm animal?

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Spring Retreat Giveaway?

Hey Teens! Now's your big chance to vote on what our Spring Retreat giveaway should be!! We could give away 40 lbs of Neco Wafers, http://www.candydirect.com/bars/Necco-Assorted.html, but word on the street is they're *sick*. What should it be, team??

Sticky, Messy Lives

Last night Amy Winehouse won Grammy's in 5 out of the 6 categories she was nominated- including record of the year, song of the year (both for "Rehab") and best new artist.

People are having a hayday discussing her "rapid descent from promising newcomer to emaciated junkie." Not allowed a visa due to "narcotic abuse", Amy performed 2 songs in London before a smaller audience...for the first time in awhile- since her husband got sent to jail for assault and faking a trial...?

One thing we can see clearly from Amy (and kiddie pools of jello), is that life is messy. We try and fail, try harder, and fail yet again. Luckily for us, God doesn't love us because of what we do.

As Bridget explained last night- we are saved by grace! Jesus came and died in our place, not because we deserved to be saved- but because he loved us. “It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; not by anything you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace is not the end of the story- we are saved by grace through faith working in love. As St. Augustine said, “The God who created us without our participation has not willed to save us without our cooperation.” We must believe in Jesus, and show our faith through actions of love. As it says in James chapter 2, “Faith apart from works is dead.”

There are millions of ways we can allow God's grace to flower in us through our faith working in love. This week let's focus on our prayer lives. In prayer we meet God and learn of a love that is sincere, unconditional and eternal.

What are some of the things you pray for regularly?

What are some things you wish you prayed for more often?
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The Impossible

In one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the New York Giants beat the Patriots 17-14. With the Patriots undefeated all Season- and favored to win by 12, fans all over New England were left scratching their heads last night. With the Patriots 4 point lead at 2:42 remaining, only faith-filled fans would have imagined the Giants coming back to win the game.

"Look over the nations and see, and be utterly amazed! For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habbakuk 1:5

God accomplishes the impossible everyday!! As we begin the Holy season of Lent this week, let us not imagine that our Lenten Resolutions are dependant on our own strength lest we fail. As we prayerfully consider the ways in which we can renew our focus on prayer, almsgiving, and fasting-- let us remember that it is God who is at work in us. He is the one who gives us strength.

God can do incredible things through us, things we once thought impossible. Trust Him, trust that He will give you the strength to make sacrifices for Him this Lenten Season. He will give you the commitment to make that daily prayer time- the courage to make sacrifices with your time- the strength to let go of worldly attachments.

Take some time to decide what your Lenten commitments will be- and if you're up to it, post them anonymously on our blog. As you read the commitments of your brothers and sisters, remember to pray for them throughout Lent. :)

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Sunday's Village: Saved By The What?
Join us this Sunday from 5-6:30 for a redo of the old time classic, Saved by the Bell. Get the theme song stuck in your head at http://youtube.com/watch?v=2K4iTh1TL9g. We’ll be talking about Salvation, Lent, and doing a whole lot of very fun very stupid things.

Bible Study this Thursday, 7-8:30pm
Please RSVP if you will be joining us for Bible Study this week, so we can make sure we have enough food! 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.

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?

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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
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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..!)