
Grow & Go – Feb. 28: Apply Sunday Readings to Your Life

Get a preview this weekend of Love Without Borders – a Parish Mission. Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, a Passionist priest, will speak at the Masses of Feb. 27-28, promoting the mission that runs March 1-3.
Morning and evening sessions available. To access the digital worship aid, visit HolyFamilyOrlando.com.
“God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”
Pope Francis
We could all use great ideas to make the most of our Lenten Journey. Below we have provided links to articles that can you and your family more fully experience this season.
What do we do when we’re facing an upcoming big event, celebration, or special occasion in our lives? We prepare for it. Holy Week and Easter are “big events” in the liturgical year of the Church and in the spiritual life of a Christian. So, as Christians, we prepare spiritually for these through the forty days of Lent. This means that, during Lent, we rededicate ourselves to prayer.
Just imagine that this Lent is going to be different from every other Lent we’ve experienced. Imagine that there will be many graces offered us this year. Let’s even imagine that God is going to help transform our lives, with greater freedom, greater joy, and deeper desires for love and service.
One of the real challenges that we too often find in our busy lives is finding time to be together as a family. It is especially difficult to find opportunities to pray together. Here are a few possibilities for praying as a family during Lent or at any other time of the year.
Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Dear Lord,
As we enter this Solemn and Holy Season, we pray that you would send your Holy Spirit upon us that we might prepare ourselves for these coming 40 days of Lent. Help us to humble ourselves so that we can understand the magnificence of Your Love for us as, You humbled Yourself and gave your Life on the Cross that we might receive the gift of Eternal Glory with you. Amen.
A Prayer for Lenten Grace
Loving God,
During the sacred season of Lent, bring me closer to you.
Prepare a place in my home and heart for silence and solitude,
so that I may rediscover the grace of a prayer-filled life.
Help me to fast from those things that threaten the well-being of
body and soul and remind me of the grace of simplicity.
Enlarge my heart so that I give to those in need and, in so doing,
rediscover the grace of gratitude and generosity.
May this season be a grace-filled time to rekindle
my love for and faith in you.
Amen.
Lenten Prayer
God, I pray for my prayer life to become vibrant and strong in this season of Lent. I pray that Your voice, even though a whisper, would ring loud and true in my life. I pray for the courage and boldness to follow wherever You lead me, to love and serve whomever and however You invite me.
Prayer for Lenten Simplicity
Free me, Lord Jesus, from anything that obstructs my way to you. Clear away the clutter of petty grudges.
Remove smudges of resentment and bitterness. Cleanse me of thoughts filled with anger, envy, or self-pity.
Create space in my life for more kindness and less spitefulness, greater generosity and few self-centered needs, stronger compassion and weakened judgement of others.
Enlarge my heart with a spirit of gratitude this Lent, so that I recognize the simple gifts that lay in abundance all around me.
In your sacred name, I pray
Prayers from ShareCatholic.com
Booklets for the Stations are available for purchase at the Gift Shop (at a discounted price as we are restricted in using and reusing the booklets we have.
Holy Family will host the Big Red Bus for a blood drive on Sunday, Feb. 21 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The bus will be parked near the entrance to Holy Family Catholic School.
Per OneBlood.org, appointments are encouraged. To protect our team members and other donors, please do not present to donate if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Masks are required to be worn by all blood donors. You may wear your own or we will provide one for you if needed.
To set an appointment, click here.
Holy Family’s Youth and Young Adult ministries invite all parishioners to eXaLT Eucharistic Adoration on Sunday, Feb. 28, after the 5 p.m. Mass.
Join us for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reflection and music by the Ignite Band.
Our Catholic Appeal starts this weekend. This appeal supports the work of the diocese – here at Holy Family and throughout the nine counties of the Orlando Diocese.
This weekend’s Masses (Feb. 6-7) will feature a video by Bishop John Noonan highlighting the diocesan work OCA supports. To see this video, click here.
Envelopes for Our Catholic Appeal will be placed in the back of the church starting Feb. 6-7.
Over the week of Feb. 7-13, discern how much you’re able to contribute to the appeal. Then make your Pledge on the envelope and bring them to Feb. 13-14 Masses. You can do a one-time pledge or monthly pledges.
Or you can donate online by clicking here.
Holy Family’s St. Vincent de Paul food pantry is hosting the annual Souper Bowl of Caring food drive Jan. 17-Feb. 7. Help us Tackle Hunger.
See the attached flyer for specific food needs and drop-off locations and times.
Or you can make a financial donation online. You can do so:
Holy Family is one of the parishes hosting an in-person cohort of the Orlando Diocese’s Ministry Formation Conference on Feb. 5-6.
The purpose of the MFC is to form Catholics to witness, lead, and accompany others in the proclamation of the Gospel and the building of the kingdom. We recognize that our soul thirsts for the Lord. He alone can satisfy humanity’s desire for the infinite.
To register for the conference, click here. Cost is $15 per person. This site also has more information about the conference speakers and the most up-to-date list of parishes hosting in-person cohorts.
Virtual conference will be transmitted in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.
Parish hosted in-person cohorts are currently scheduled at:
Holy Family’s Gift and Book Store is now open. Appointments are NO LONGER REQUIRED. Hours during Covid pandemic are below and are subject to change.
Please use the Cove Door entrance behind the Welcome Desk, as the PLC is closed. Maximum 2 guests in store at any time.
Facemasks are mandatory at all times.
Elva Clark
Manager
The Holy Family Gift and Book Store provides Catholic faith-based, affordably-priced items suitable for all ages and interests.
Sunday: 8am – 2pm
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Monday & Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday 11am – 5pm
Thursday: 9am – 3pm
Friday: 9am – Noon
Saturday: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Diocese of Orlando’s policy requires all children to be supervised by an adult at all times, for their safety and security.
Elva Clark at (407) 876-0833 or email Elva