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Dare to Give Hope: The Light Is On____ Pope Francis: The Gift
�ent is a period of our liturgical year dedicated to repentance: honestly admitting our wrongs to our loving God, and receiving his mercy and grace. It is amazing grace, as the classic song says, and such an incredible gift.
So why do we drag our feet and resist this incredible gift? Because it's awkward? Because we're busy? Because we're embarrassed? Because we're afraid? Because we don't know an act of contrition?
Part of missionary discipleship work is making it easier to talk about what should be the easiest, most joyful reality to talk about, Jesus Christ. We can extend that during Lent to the bracing grace of repentance. How do we talk about it? How do we encourage it? Simple: we share stories of grace and light, recognizing our common sinful humanity, the greatness of our God, and the beautiful sacrament of the Church. If you are reading this, WE NEED YOU. The Light Is On Southern Minnesota (www/theLightIsOnSouthernMN.org ) is centered on the weekend of March 20-22 this year, and we are focusing on making it a social media initiative. Last year our website got more than 50% of its traffic from Facebook, and another significant boost through emails and church websites. The Real Life Stories posts were most shared, and by a huge margin. And most people read other pages (such as "how to" or "24 Hours for the Lord") from reading one of the witness posts. We need people on Facebook and Instagram to be sharing these website stories. You may not know who needs to receive reconciliation, but you can share with your friends how moving you found one of those witness stories. If the Lord nudges that person's heart, he or she likely will read it.
If you aren't a social media person, but you have email, you can receive our The Light Is On Southern Minnesota Lenten inspiration emails twice a week during Lent. Just go to the website and scroll to the bottom and sign up. AND... once you sign up...consider sharing those emails with your bible study, family, friends in town, etc. Again, you can say "I just needed to share this--what a beautiful story!" and add the link. It doesn't get easier than this, friends.
Jesus Christ is too good to keep to our ourselves, and sacramental reconciliation is as well. Be a bridge of hope and reconciliation by sharing the availability of God's mercy this March. And I'll see you in line! Dare to Give Hope The Light Is On Susan Windley-Daoust Director of Missionary Discipleship swindley@dowr.org 4 Missionary Discipleship
The Light Is On Southern Minnesota
Has it been a while since you received the mercy of God? Do you have family or friends who need hope and encouragement to return to the sacrament? Please visit our website for hope, witness and support, and sign up for the March inspiration emails from people within our diocese. You can go to confession anytime, but The Light Is On weekend is March 20-22.
24 Hours for the Lord
24 hours of adoration and confession at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. This vigil is a concrete way, says Pope Francis, for people to experience the mercy at the center of the Catholic faith - "to touch the grandeur of God's mercy with their own hands." All are welcome for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration and confession March 20-21 (4 p.m. Fri. - 4 p.m. Sat.). The Center Street parking lot entrance will be open all night. Come and rejoice in the Lord's mercy!
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest? How could you use that time for evangelization - and especially to promote The Light Is On? Join us on March 3 at 3:30 p.m. for an hour of conversation about how to be a witness online and reach out to those who are not in the pews. Contact Michele Klein (mklein@ dowr.org) to reserve a spot. You will need a smartphone or computer with mic and camera.
