LENT AT ST. MARY'S
LENT A SEASON OF PREPARATION:
We have entered into the season of Lent – a penitential season full of fasting, praying and almsgiving. It is traditional during Lent to take on practices that move us closer to God, perhaps giving up something so we can focus more on God or taking on a practice that points us back to God. As you enter into your Lenten journey, may you find yourself drawn closer to God, distracted less by the world, and more fully open to the Good News in the resurrection.
TRICIA’S TROOPS CANCER CONNECTION OUTREACH FOR LENT:
For this year’s Lenten Project, the Outreach Committee has decided to collect items and gift cards for Tricia’s Troops.
This is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance, service coordination and supportive care to cancer patients throughout Southeast Wisconsin. They focus on the daily living challenges and out-of-pocket expenses that become a burden for many families during treatment. They also provide a variety of free services and supplies to local cancer fighters to ensure they feel the embrace of the community on their journey toward healing. On March 5 we hope to have a representative from Tricia’s Troops join us to talk about their ministry. We will be collecting items from Sunday, February 26 through March 26.
Please see below for a list of items as well as which gift cards are most useful.
Wish List:
Chemo Care & Radiation Relief Tote Bag Wish List
Tricia’s Troops Cancer Connection is seeking a variety of items for our Chemo Care & Radiation Relief Tote Bags. The items we utilize have been carefully selected to provide comfort, relief and encouragement to new patients facing the fears and uncertainty of chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment. These items are compiled into tote bags and delivered to local cancer centers to remind patients they are thought of, cared for and never alone on their journey.
Please consider donating any of the following items (new) for adult men and women:
- Activity books (Crossword, Word Search, Sudoku etc.) – For entertainment at treatment
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment – To manage side effects of the skin
- Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse (8 oz. preferred) – Provides relief from mouth sores
- Blankets – Patients often get cold during treatment
- Sugar-Free Candy (Peppermint, ginger, root beer or lemon flavors) – To help with dry mouth, nausea and eliminating bad tastes in the mouth from treatment
- Colored pencils – Coloring helps pass the time and can help with stress relief
- Deck of cards or handheld games – For entertainment during treatment
- Hand sanitizer – To protect a compromised immune system
(We cannot accept expired hand sanitizer). - Journals – For writing questions, medications, feelings etc.
- Lotion that is fragrance-free (8 oz. preferred) – For dry skin
(ie. Aveeno, Eucerin, Lubriderm, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Lindi, Jergens) - Socks for men – Soft, fuzzy socks or slippers for warmth and comfort
- Thank you card sets – To thank those who have provided support
- Tissues – Travel pack size for runny noses and tears
- Water bottles (BPA-free) – To help patients stay hydrated (Camelbak, Contigo, Nalgene, Pogo etc.)
Oral Care Kit Wish List
Cancer treatments can make the mouth dry and sore, which makes it difficult to eat, speak and swallow. For this reason, we are seeking the donation of specific items that are known to help manage and provide relief for these oral issues. We provide complete Oral Care Kits, free of charge, to help nurses educate their patients in how to prevent and manage these challenges during treatment.
Please consider donating any of the following items (new):
- Individual bottles of Biotene – Provides relief from mouth sores
- ACT Dry Mouth Lozenges – Helps with dry mouth
Gift Card Wish List
We utilize gift cards to help cancer fighters with their daily living needs.
Please consider donating gift cards from any of the following places:
- Gas Stations (Kwik Trip, Speedway, BP)
- Grocery Stores (Pick ‘n Save, Piggly Wiggly, Aldi, Woodman’s, Sentry)
- Walmart
- Walgreens
- Target
SUNDAY ADULT FORMATION:
Day: Sunday mornings after first worship service
Dates: February 12 through May 28, 2023
Time: 9:10 AM
Study: The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C.S. Lewis
Study Availability: The study is available on YouTube, Audible Books, or hard copy through Amazon or other book retailers.
Location: Parish Library
Questions: Contact Sally W.
WEDNESDAY MORNING LENT STUDY:
Dates: Wednesday mornings after Morning Prayer
March 1 through April 5, 2023
Morning Prayer: 9 AM
Study: 9:30 AM
Location: Chapel
Topic: Living Well Through Lent 2023 -
Practicing Compassion With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind
Questions: Contact Maggie M.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SOUP & SUBSTANCE:
Join us each Wednesday night in March as we gather to pray our way through the Lenten season! We will begin each evening at 6 PM by reading Evening Prayer together in the Church before sharing a light meal in the Parish Hall. After dinner, stay for a group discussion and exploration of Christian prayer practices with a new practice featured each week:
- March 1 - Praying with our Words (Prayer Writing)
- March 8 - Praying with our Ears (Lectio Divina)
- March 15 – Praying with our Eyes (Iconography)
- March 22 – Praying with our Memory (The Daily Examine)
- March 29 – Praying with our Feet (The Way of the Cross)
Dinner will begin around 6:30 PM and our discussion will start at 7 PM. Come for one evening or join us for all! For any questions about this event, please contact our seminarian, Matt Phillips (mphillips@nashotah.edu). If you would like to provide dinner for any of these evenings, please sign-up in the parish Hall or contact Mother Pippa.
EASTER EGG HUNT & CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES ON PALM SUNDAY:
Experience the events of Holy Week with hands on activities including making and waving palms, eating the Last Supper, foot washing, confession stones and the empty tomb. All ages are welcome to join us. Next, we will be scattering eggs across St. Mary’s lawn for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. This is an excellent event to bring family and friends for an all-age friendly Holy Week experience. All children are welcome to hunt for eggs. Please bring a basket.
Date: Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022
Interactive Activities: 11 AM Easter Egg Hunt: 11:30 AM
GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER SPECIAL OFFERINGS:
At St. Mary’s we give away our Good Friday and Easter offerings. The Good Friday collection is always given to The Episcopal Church in the Holy Land. The Outreach Committee has determined that this year’s Easter offering will be divided three ways:
- Hope Center in Waukesha – In all of their programs, Hope Center reaches out in a caring manner, always trying to help people help themselves; hopefully empowering them to have the best possible quality of life given their limitations.
- The Gathering – The Mission of the Gathering is to provide meals and associated services to those who would otherwise go hungry or without.
- St. Mary’s Discretionary Fund – I use the discretionary fund mainly to help local people with emergency situations. This generally means distributing gas cards and food cards to local residents.
EASTER FLOWERS:
If you would like to donate towards flowers for Easter, we have started taking orders. To order, please fill out the form provided in the church narthex. Please include your check payable to St. Mary’s, and place both in the offering plate or drop it off at the parish office. You may also email your information to the parish office at stmarys@milwpc.com. The last day to order will be Sunday, March 26.
SACRAMENTAL RITE OF RECONCILIATION:
During the season of Lent, it is appropriate and a good idea to take stock of one’s relationship with God, neighbor, and oneself. Sharing that personal inventory and celebrating God’s love, mercy and forgiveness can be a very healing experience. Should you wish to take part in the Sacramental Rite of Reconciliation (private confession), please let Mother Pippa know and she will schedule a time.