Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

* 40 HOURS’ Eucharistic Adoration begins tonight (Sunday) following the 7:01pm Mass. Please see p. 7 for the full schedule. Adoration is a time of grace and blessings not only for the individual who sits in the Presence of the Lord, but also for the parish who sponsors it. Please make visits to the Blessed Sacrament throughout these days; if you can sign up for an hour or half-hour, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the church vestibule.

* Host and Participant sign-ups continue for our Lenten/Easter Small Groups Series, “The Face of Mercy.” Information may be found on page 6 and our website, www.stmaryfred.org.

* Come to our Mercy Penance Service, Wednesday, February 24. All priests will be on hand for a special parish service: prayer and song, an examination of conscience, quick
individual confessions (for tonight, no discussion, no questions, please), individual absolution, a prayer of penance while tying a knot in our Lent altar cloth, a song of mercy. Join us for mercy and reconciliation while still early in Lent.

* We welcome back the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, this Thursday, February 25, 3-8pm in the church.

* Again, the series “The Catholic’s  Divorce Survival Guide” begins Monday, February 29, for 12 Mondays. Comfort, counsel and clarity offered, to let you know the power of healing and
that you still belong here. Details p. 7.

* Don’t forget the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal for outreach in our diocese, if you are still considering a pledge or gift. Help us make our goal – every family, please.

* Click here for Mass, Confession and Devotions Schedules

* Host and Participant sign-ups are underway for our Lenten/Easter Small Groups Series, “The Face of Mercy.” Information may be found on page 8 and our website, www.stmaryfred.org.

* We’re doing something special for confessions during the Year of Mercy: Parish Lent Mercy Penance Service, Wednesday, February 24.

* The second collection this weekend is for the National Collection for US Black and Indian Missions. For more information visit, www. blackandindianmission.org/
nationalcollection.

* This is Commitment Weekend for the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal: If we reflect on the mission that Jesus has given us, and the words of Pope Francis, the Church is uniquely placed by God to be his agent of mercy and change, to heal our world. Prayerfully respond to this call. Your generosity is what makes our Church’s response possible. “Go forth as heralds of God’s mercy!”

* Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. Masses will be at 6:30 and 9am, Noon, and 6 and 7:30pm. Also join us for Friday evenings in Lent for Soup and Stations of the Cross. You will find an entire pull-out section with schedules for Lent and Holy Week in the center of today’s bulletin.

* Host sign-ups are underway for our Lenten/Easter Small Groups Series, “The Face of Mercy.” Information may be found on page 7 today and our website, www.stmaryfred.org or visit www.Lentenfreinds.org

* Come to our School Open Houses today, February 7. Visit Saint Mary Preschool in the Parish Life Center from 9:30–Noon and Holy Cross Academy 1–3pm (250 Stafford Lakes Pkwy, behind Geico)

* We’re doing something special for confessions during the Year of Mercy: Parish Lent Mercy Penance Service, Wednesday, February 24. For details, see Fr. Don’s weekly letter (p. 4).

* Plan to support the work of the Catholic Church in the annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal: If we reflect on the mission that Jesus has given us, and the words of Pope Francis, the Church is uniquely placed by God to be his agent of mercy and change, to heal our world. Prayerfully think of how you will respond to this call. Commitment Sunday will be February 6-7 at all Masses. Your generosity is what makes our Church’s response possible. “Go forth as heralds of God’s mercy!”

* Host sign-ups open this weekend for our Lenten/Easter Small Groups Series, “The Face of Mercy.” Information may be found on page 7 today and our website, www.stmaryfred.org,.

* Come to our School Open Houses February 7. Visit Saint Mary Preschool in the Parish Life Center from 9:30– Noon and Holy Cross Academy 1–3pm (250 Stafford Lakes Pkwy, behind Geico)

* Mark your calendars for February 17 and join Saint Mary in Richmond for  Catholics in the Capitol as we meet with our Legislators and attend the Bishops’ Evening Prayer and reception at Sacred Heart Cathedral (see p. 11). We need to know if you plan to come no later than Monday, February 1.

* We’re doing something special for the Year of Mercy: Parish Lent Mercy Penance Service, Wednesday, February 24. Plan to come, details to follow soon.