Second Weekend of Lent
As Lent continues, we have several offerings to help you to Be More. This weekend we welcome Becky Pugh from the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings Montana to tell us more about the faith lives and needs of people in eastern Montana. Two of the three communities that Catholic Extension Society has introduced us to are located in the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings; the other is in the Diocese of Helena in the western half of the state. These communities are the focus of this year’s Lenten Social Justice Project.
Becky is the Director of Mission Advancement. She was born in a small town named Inverness, so she should feel right at home here. She attended Quincy College in southwestern Illinois and worked as a social worker for twenty-five years. She focused on a wide range of issues including troubled children, pregnant teens, domestic violence, sexual assault, HIV/AIDS and end-of-life bereavement. She joined the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings as a Special Projects Coordinator before assuming her current role. As Director of Mission Advancement she oversees communications, grant writing, fund-raising and directing the Annual Diocesan Appeal.
We caught her passion for her Catholic faith, her love of Montana and her desire to enrich the lives of so many out in Big Sky Country during our visit to Montana in December. Becky will share a reflection at all Masses this weekend and then make a presentation to middle school students from our Academy on Monday. Make sure to give Becky a warm Holy Family welcome.
Greg Boyle
This Monday we welcome Fr. Greg Boyle to Holy Family. His talk is entitled Cherished Belonging: Love in Divided Times. Greg is the founder and Director of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program. Following his ordination to priesthood, he lived and worked with Christian-based communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He then became pastor of Delores Mission, a Jesuit church in Boyle Heights, the poorest Catholic Church in the city amidst two large public housing projects and eight rival gangs. Homeboy Industries started as a bakery, which blossomed into additional social enterprise businesses and Jobs for a Future. Homeboy provides an “exit ramp” for those stuck in the cycle of violence and incarceration.
Greg is a nationally known and appreciated speaker and author. His books and presentations contain so many poignant, thought-provoking, funny, relevant, inspiring and challenging stories. Please come, bring friends and be open to laugh, cry and be amazed. There is no charge for the evening.
Michael Sparough
Another great Jesuit priest, friend and neighbor, Fr. Michael Sparough will lead our annual Mission on Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 6. Michael has a strong drama background and he will touch your heart with his presentation entitled Be More … (Not Do More).
This adds yet another dimension to this year’s theme and continues our unique collaboration with the staff of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat house in Barrington. Michael has been on staff there for several years and many of you know him from retreats and talks that he has given, as well as his tie of presiding at Mass here at Holy Family. Come and open your hearts and souls to the creative and dynamic spirit of Fr. Sparough.
All Parish Reconciliation is on Wednesday, March 13 at 7:00 pm This will be a unique way to open yourself up to God’s unconditional forgiveness with a Jesuit spin.
Gala
If you haven already, please purchase your tickets for this year’s A Night for Champions gala. You can do so via our website or holyfamilyparish.org/Gala24.
There will be great food, music and dancing with Blue Water Kings, and several ways to support all it takes to create a community and a culture of making an impact on so many people’s lives. Come and meet many Holy Family Champions.
Henry Smogolski
Please attend the Gala for one more big reason: to honor and congratulate Henry Smogolski, the winner of this year’s Barb and Kurt Knuth Distinguished Service Award. Henry has served Holy Family in so many ways over the years but particularly in overseeing all it takes to make our courtyard such a beautiful space to both pray and gather for fun. Thank you, Henry.