Rate Your Lent!

During Lent we are generally moved to act, to do something more to walk alongside Jesus and the suffering He endured for us. At the beginning of Lent you were provided with many examples of ways you could spend time with God and those you love.

Hopefully, those ideas, along with your own, enabled you to embed Lenten activities in your daily routines. Quoting our black Lent book, “Despite my best intentions, there can creep into me things that are not of God, things that have to be cleaned out. There is a difference between everyday ‘straightening out’ and those times of heavy-duty cleaning like when I move the sofa and vacuum behind it.” Lent is meant to be a time to get behind the sofa and begin to act and see things differently, to open your heart to a fuller awareness of and deeper relationship with God. But those new activities and habits do not need to end when the Lenten season does. Our lives change when habits change and the habit of spending time with God and those you love is worth keeping!

With the end of Lent, this is the perfect time to reflect back over your Lenten journey and think about continuing some of these new habits.  Maybe your Lenten journey went exactly as planned or maybe it was not the perfect journey…that is okay!  Your journey does not need to be perfect as you are already perfect in God’s eyes. We would like to go one step further this year by asking you to ‘Rate Your Lent’ and share what went well or where you may have drifted from the plan you made. Sharing your Lenten plans and experience can energize others and encourage them on their spiritual journey. No matter what your journey was, remember we are all on this journey together. 

Please take a moment to fill out the form below and share what you did for Lent, how your journey went and if you are planning to continue any of these new habits post-Lent. No names are necessary, but we would love to hear about your Lent. We are wanting to compile a list of ideas to share next Lent, as well as, in the Parish newsletter and website to encourage others that they can begin anywhere in creating a life-changing habit with God.

Please submit your response by Sunday, April 25th.

“The Return of the Prodigal Son” Book Study

In this book, Catholic priest, professor, and author Henri J. M. Nouwen will take you on a spiritual journey addressing themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation of a relationship of father and son. Nouwen brings to light how closely related the story is to our own spiritual journeys. The study unpacks the book and visually references famous artwork by Rembrandt, both titled, “The Return of the Prodigal Son”.

When: Two sessions are being offered:

Monday evenings beginning April 19th (4/19-5/10)); OR

Tuesday mornings beginning April 20th (4/20-5/11)

Time: Monday evenings 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

          Tuesday mornings 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.  (after 8:30 a.m. Mass)

NOTE: Both sessions are in-person and COVID guidelines will be followed. 

Materials: The book is part of this study. Click here to order online, or you can purchase at the Dwelling Place in Normal (while supplies last). 

After you receive your copy of the book, begin reading the introduction (pgs. 1-23). It is not necessary to have read the introduction for the 1st meeting but it is helpful.

Registration and questions: For room planning purposes, please email Marylynn Meredith at meredithmarylynn@yahoo.com to sign up and indicate which session you prefer to join. 

Once we know number of attendees, you will receive an email with more instructions and room assignment.

Please fill out the following information to help us plan the seating for Confirmation. At this point we are simply gathering information to help us safely fit as many people in the church as we can, while continuing to follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Formal seating assignments will be made and communicated at a later date. Thank-you!

Time is a gift and an essence of love. Giving our Time and Love to God is to welcome Him into our hearts and develop a deeper spiritual relationship with Him. Similarly, giving the gift of Time to your family and loved ones lets God’s brightness and love shine through you. COVID-19 has changed how we spend or allocate our time even though we still have 168 hours in one week. Consider creating a new habit this Lent that includes intentionally spending Time with God’s word and connecting with others. The printable document below has a helpful list of simple and easy ways to develop habits of giving our Time and Love to Him. God will continue to pursue each of us every hour, every day; and Lent is a good reminder of this.

DATE & TIME CHANGE for pick up of RE LENTEN PACKETS

Due to the weather forecast for the weekend, we have adjusted the method and times for picking up your family Lenten packet.

Please plan to swing by the church during any of the following times listed below. 

Enter thru the main “parish office” doors. The packets are inside the building & arranged alphabetically.

SATURDAY, Feb. 13th – 8:30am-5:30pm

SUNDAY, Feb. 14th – after 9am & 11am Mass

MONDAY-FRIDAY, Feb. 15th thru 19th – 8:30am-8:00pm

We apologize for any inconvenience. Stay safe!

Join Fr. Schultz and Fr. Martin as we read “Interior Freedom” by Father Jacques Philippe.

When: Begins February 18^th through April 15th, meeting weekly on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 PM

Presentation format: In-person (room TBD) and we will offer a virtual option for you to join in for the discussion (a recurring link will be provided after sign-up indicating your meeting preference). COVID guidelines will be followed for the safety of all.

Registration: For planning purposes, please communicate interest of presentation format and register by email to Marylynn Meredith at meredithmarylynn@yahoo.com

Materials: We are asking participants to order their own book. Below are 2 options/links to purchase the book through Amazon or Scepter. Currently the books are ranging in price from $9.95-$13.95, plus tax/shipping. 

Link to order on your own from Amazon:  Interior Freedom book   OR

Link to order on your own from Scepter  Interior Freedom book

**When you receive your book, please begin reading the 

Introduction and Part I “Freedom and Acceptance” pgs. 9-30.**

Questions and registration: Contact Marylynn Meredith at meredithmarylynn@yahoo.com

Have you been pondering what to do for Lent to spend TIME with God to increase and develop your spiritual relationship with Him? Then consider our Lenten study:

“How To … read, understand, and put into action … the BIBLE”

WHAT: If you have ever struggled with where to find something in the Bible, how to figure out what all those “codes” mean; interpret His words, or just need a reminder, etc. then this is for you. ALL are welcome, no matter where you are in the continuum of using your Bible – from using it rarely to more often – you will gain knowledge and experience to increase your faith and be more comfortable with using the Bible as a daily ritual. This study is meant to be informative as well as putting it into practice. 

WHEN: Thursdays 9:15 – 10:15 am (after the 8:30am Mass); OR Thursdays 6:00 – 7:00 pm; beginning February 25^th through March 25th

WHERE: This will be offered as an in-person study at St. Patrick Church of Merna – room TBD.  COVID guidelines will be followed for the safety of all.

MATERIALS: You will need a Bible; preferably a Catholic Bible. If you are purchasing a Bible, two of the more popular Catholic Bible versions are the New American Bible (NAB), and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). 

Additionally, a fee of $6 will be collected for Bible tabs and timelines that we will order for you. Please click here to pay; or send a check to the Parish office.

REGISTRATION: Due to COVID guidelines as well as for planning purposes, please register by sending an email to Marylynn Meredith at meredithmarylynn@yahoo.com

QUESTIONS: Please contact Marylynn Meredith at meredithmarylynn@yahoo.com

OR Deacon Mike Pool, mpool4625@gmail.com 

DIVORCED? HURTING?   Recovering from Divorce Ministry is again being offered at St. Patrick’s.  The 13 week program is a free small group ministry that will help any Catholic who is separated or recovering from a divorce by giving a better understanding of how to cope with the emotional pain, providing key insights into how their faith can help them recover, and offering a variety of tips for dealing with life after divorce. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm.  This class will be held in person at St. Patrick Church of Merna.  This ministry will begin February 24^th.  For more information or questions contact Pam Goode at nursery@stpatrickmerna.org, or call the parish office to sign up.

When you choose to purchase a brick in order to remember a loved one, you are helping to establish a lasting memorial for years to come. We hope this garden will provide peace and comfort for our parishioners and family members for generations. We sincerely thank you for your contribution.

To place an order:

1. Download, print, & fill out order form below.
2. For your engraving, you are allowed ONLY 14 CHARACTERS PER LINE and 2 LINES PER BRICK. Please note: PERIODS, COMMAS, & BLANK SPACES are considered “characters”.
3. Mail or drop off form & $50.00 check payable to: St. Patrick Church of Merna to complete your order.

Mailing Address: 1001 N. Towanda Barnes Rd. Bloomington, IL, 61705

St. Patrick Church of Merna and St. Mary Church in Downs are accepting monetary donations to help fellow parishioners that are in need due to various situations.

Checks may be written to St. Patrick Church of Merna or St. Mary Church in Downs and mailed to St. Patrick Church at the address below. To ensure that your donation is directed to this program, please include “Parishioners Helping Parishioners” or “PHP” in the memo section of your check.  We are also accepting donations online. CLICK HERE to sign up for this special program or regular weekly giving.

Parishioners registered at either parish for a minimum of three months may request assistance with rent, utilities, groceries, etc.  Your parish family is here to help you financially and spiritually. All requests will be kept confidential. To request assistance please complete the electronic application by CLICKING HERE. Once your request is received, a team from the parish will verify it and contact you by phone or email within 7 business days regarding your request.  If your request is approved, a check will be mailed directly to your landlord, utility company, etc.

If you have any questions please contact Jeff Lopez at 309-585-1707. 

St. Patrick Church of Merna

1001 N Towanda Barnes Rd

Bloomington, IL  61705