THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN

    One of the highlights of Matthew's Gospel is Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount". It is a summary of Christ's teachings about the way to sanctity. There is a parallel event in Luke's Gospel, but it is in a different      setting, a level area. Our Lord probably gave similar messages in several places. Matthew arranges the message in eight beatitudes or "blessings". They say that you will be happy if you: don't' get
     attached to material possessions, make peace, etc. Luke's version renders them as four blessings and four "woes" or statements that you will be unhappy if you: cling to wealth, etc. The message in
     both cases is that the values approved by this world are exactly the opposite of Christian ideals.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS Tuesdays, - 6:00 p.m. - St. Joseph - Stations of the Cross, followed with Mass Wednesdays - 6:00 p.m. - St. Agnes Stations of the Cross, followed with Mass Thursdays - 6:00 p.m. - Star of the Sea - Stations of the Cross, followed with Mass Saturdays (starting Feb. 20) - 4:00 p.m. - St Vincent de Paul - Stations of the Cross - - followed with Mass, “Not by Bread Alone” - Daily reflections for Lent - a limited number of this booklet is available in the entrance of our churches. We encourage you to make a donation of $4.00 to cover the cost of the booklet. Lent 2010 Calendars will be distributed to parishioners, children and teenagers, these calendars are filled with prayers, short reflections and suggestions for Bible reading. Please take them home and post them on your fridge and follow them daily. Lenten prayer cards are also available. LENTEN DVD SERIES - A Lenten Journey with Father Michael Himes - a four part series which will run during Lent. The dates and times are Thursdays, Feb 18 & 25, March 11 & 18 immediately after Mass. Themes covered are Session 1 - What is Temptation really? Session 2 - Danger & Desire; Session 3 - God Sees Onto the Heart; Session 4 - Endless Possibilities. Please contact the Rel. Ed office if you are interested in attending, Hosted by the Faith Development. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Rel. Ed. continues for all groups. Mondays - 2:45 p.m. - Groups 1 & 4 - Fanning Education Center, 5:00 p.m. - Groups 5 & 6, 6:00 p.m. at Canso Academy - remainder of Star of the Sea groups. St. Agnes groups will meet as indicated by their catechists. First Eucharist & First Reconciliation - Parents are asked to register their children for these programs by contacting the Rel. Ed. office. Anyone interested in helping with these programs, is asked to please contact Marie. Children must have completed the year three program and be registered in the year four program before celebrating First Reconciliation. To celebrate First Eucharist children must have completed primary, year one and be registered in year two. Parents meeting - is scheduled for Sunday, February 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the vestry of Star of the Sea Church. Parents who have children registered in the First Eucharist and First Reconciliation programs are asked to attend this meeting that will outline the program. STAR OF THE SEA NEWS Ministries Schedule for Sunday, February 21 Lectors - David Horton & Veronica Peitzsche Euch. Ministers - Emily Lumsden Presentation of Gifts - Baker family Church Cleaning - Harry & RoseAnn Delorey Ushers/Coll.- Percy Bond & Paul Horne Hospitality - Mike & Amanda Hanhams Sacristan - RoseAnn Delorey Servers - Zachary Even Split Bingo - realized a profit of $182.00. Thank you to all who supported this event. Prize Bingo - will be held Sunday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Canso Fire Hall. Donations would be greatly appreciated. Parish Council - Regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 14 immediately after Mass. All members are requested to attend. We are presently seeking a parishioner who is willing to make a commitment to parish council, please contact the parish office to volunteer. Our constitution requires us to have 12 elected members. Liturgy committee Meeting - will be held Sunday, February 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the glebe. All committee members are requested to attend. We extend an invitation to parishioners from all of our parishes to become involved in the Liturgy Committee. We could use input from all parishes when scheduling events. Ways and Means Star of the Sea - Tickets are now on sale for a fuel oil voucher value - $300.00, contact Diggie to buy or sell tickets. Please offer to help with a project that interests you. If you have any ideas please contact Diggie. Thank you for your anticipated help.

ST. JOSEPH NEWS Family Night is well underway on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. We begin with Religious Education, followed by fun, games and lunch. We strongly encourage Parents, Grandparents and Parishioners to attend these very important events. It is wonderful to experience the growth of the Christian community as we meet and share. BETHANY CENTER EVENTS Oasis Day - Come and enjoy a time to be, a time to pray, a time to rest! The theme is “Lent - the spring time of the soul”. There is also opportunity for spiritual direction if so desired. Facilitator: Claire MacNeil, csm Bethany Center, Antigonish Wednesday, February 17, 9 am – 4:00 pm Cost: $25 Please pre-register Book study on “Catholicism at the Crossroads; How the Laity Can Save the Church” by Paul Lakeland Bethany Center, Antigonish begins Wednesday evening, February 24 at 7:00 pm This book is so timely, it could have been written just for the Antigonish Diocese. It provides a constructive framework for working through the issues we face and moving toward an adult church. Cost: Book plus donation for sessions Call 902-863-4726 or E-mail: bethanycenter@themarthas.com SUNDAY COLLECTIONS St. Agnes (45) 333.00 Loose 16.00 Star of the Sea (67 ) 803.00 Loose 8.00 St. Joseph (27) 208.00 Loose 19.00 St. Vincent de Paul (14) 160.00 Loose 10.00 MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE April 23 & 24, 2010. Pre-registration is required. Friday: 6 pm to 8 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm, Registration: $70.00 per couple, Pre register by calling 863 5987 (ask for Brian) or E-mail bbarkhouse@eastlink.ca Location and directions: The Marriage Preparation Course is held on the bottom floor at St. Ninian Place, (behind St. Ninian's Cathedral) on Notre Dame Avenue (off St. Ninian Street), Antigonish, Nova Scotia. NOTES Pancake Supper - will be held Sunday, Feb 14 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Whitehead Community Hall. Craft and Bake Tables will be available. Proceeds to Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Whitehead. Cost is $6.00 - adults; 12 and under $3.00. Foster Families needed - Nothing is more important to a child than being part of a family. Have you ever thought about becoming a Foster Family? While homes are being sought for children of all ages and abilities, the most serious need in the Northern Region is for families or individuals with skills in caring for children and youth with behavioural problems and/or special needs. Now is your chance to learn more and become part of this worthy effort. If you are ready to open your home to a child or youth in need, please call 1-800-565-1884 for more information. Pilgrimage - the 28th Annual Sadie Burton Pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beaupre and Cap de la Madeleine, leaving Inverness on August 15, returning on August 21, 2010. For more information please Email scburton@ns.sympatico.ca or contact Sadie Burton at 902-461-9051. - - - - - - - End of E-bulletin for February 14th., 2010 - - - - - -