Gate of Heaven Parish

ST. JOSEPH CONSECRATION AT GATE OF HEAVEN PARISH
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
     Just a note to let you know how much my friend Patty Coutermarsh and I are looking forward to welcoming those of you who will be attending the “Consecration to St. Joseph” retreat.  St. Joseph is the “silent partner” of the Blessed Mother, her husband, at her side through all the joys and adversities.  We have no direct quotes from him, but we know he was a man of action and courage.  Someone you would definitely want on your side.  It will be good to learn about him together.  Perhaps it will show us a special way to worship Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
     This is the first time Patty and I will be conducting a retreat not written by Father Michael Gaitley.  In the past we have led retreats on “33 Days to Morning Glory”, “Consoling the Heart of Jesus”, and 33 Days to Merciful Love”, all by Father Gaitley.
     “Consecration to St. Joseph’ will begin on March 29^th and conclude with our Consecration on May 1^st, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.  This should give us a chance to have better weather for traveling.   It will take place in the modular classrooms at the rear of All Saints parking lot.  Books may be purchased for $5.25, + a donation, until March 19^th.  (This is a great deal).  After that they are regular price of $14.95.  Go to Marians.org/ gift shop. @We look forward to your e-mails to register or inquire about the retreat.  Please get in touch with us at: Diane Caruso DC64Life@hotmail.com  or Patty Coutermarsh smith.coutermarsh35@gmail.com.
 
May your Lent be fruitful,  your Easter joyful and your Pentecost glorious!!
 
In Christ
Diane and Patty
 

Please note the following announcements: 

1.
Our Faith Formation continues despite the pandemic. Our children are meeting after mass for adoration and a rosary followed by Catechesis. Please support these Catholics in formation as they prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion!
The last meeting is

April 25. 


 

2. 

If you cannot  attend mass for a serious reason ask your Guardian Angel to go to mass for you at the specified time.  This way, even though you cannot be in mass in person, your very own Guardian Angel will be in attendance as "your representative".  (Too bad you can't ask them to put something in the collection basket for you!) Here is a charming prayer you and your children can say: 

O HOLY ANGEL at my side,
Go to Church for me,
Kneel in my place, at Holy Mass,
Where I desire to be.

At Offertory, in my stead,
Take all I am and own,
And place it as a sacrifice
Upon the Altar Throne.

At Holy Consecration’s bell,
Adore with Seraph’s love,
My Jesus hidden in the Host,
Come down from Heaven above.

Then pray for those I dearly love,
And those who cause me grief,
That Jesus’ Blood may cleanse all hearts,
And suff’ring souls relieve.

And when the priest Communion takes,
Oh, bring my Lord to me,
That His sweet Heart may rest on mine,
And I His temple be.

Pray that this Sacrifice Divine,
May mankind’s sins efface;
Then bring me Jesus’ blessing home,
The pledge of every grace. Amen

Let us not doubt the power nor goodness of God--He can do all things even giving us the power to command our Guardian Angels to go to mass for us when we cannot go.  "For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."

Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if your were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen

"If we are deprived of sacramental communion, let us replace it, as far as we can, with spiritual communion, which we can make every moment:  for we aught to have always a burning desire to receive the Good God."
--St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney, parish priest of Ars, France; Patron Saint of all parish priests.

Almighty Father, you have firmly established your love for Gate of Heaven Parish and for each of us.  We praise and thank you for placing us amid the deep beauty of the North Country, a beauty that speaks eloquently of your glory and calls us to acknowledge your greatness and love.

O Lord, you have given our parish the opportunity and challenge of coming together as family, to be ambassadors of your grace to one another and to our farthest neighbor.  Grant us to respond lovingly and obediently to your call to seek justice in all our actions, to serve the poor in body and soul, and to share the good news of your Son, Jesus.

O Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, inflame our hearts with your love.  Broaden our vision and open our hearts to what you are bringing about.  Set our parish and the whole North Country on fire with your Holy Spirit, to bring about a renewed flourishing of our Catholic faith.  Amen.

Memorare 

REMEMBER, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I kneel, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.