Join us of Friday, March 6th for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after 8:30am Mass. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 9:00am until 7:30pm. All are welcome.
When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, someone must always be present in the church with Our Lord. Please consider signing up for a time slot below to spend some time in prayer and ensure someone is always present…
Gaze upon him, consider him, contemplate him, as you desire to imitate him
– St Clare of Assisi
Hey Y’all,
Lent is upon us. It’s again that season where we practice discipline and self-denial as a way to get over ourselves, not emphasizing the physical, but building up the interior, spiritual, power of the will. This is so we can focus on God’s will, giving own will more fully to the will of God. One of the ways that we are going to practice self-denial as a parish this year will be a fast from donuts. We’re not going to have donuts for a couple of reasons.
The first being, it’s just right and fitting to remember that Jesus is the reason we’re coming to Church. Our worship of God is important. I know that you all know that. I know that lots of parents might incentivize good behavior by the offering of a donut after Mass. Incentives work, at least partially. But parents, let’s try this Lent to take the time to teach the young ‘uns some proper behavior for the sake of proper behavior. Praise your kids, loving them up when they are good in Church. And then lovingly encouraging them to do better next time if they’re less than good. I recognize parents that you’re already training your children in this way. Just keep it up, knowing that it will make a difference. And if you need an disincentive for bad behavior, tell the kids that I’ll preach even longer week after week until they behave. The threat of that might make the behavior of a lot of adults prayerfully improve too. (I know that some of you all are checking emails and baseball scores on your phones. So let me loving encourage you to knock it off.)
The second reason we’re going to take a break from donuts is practical. We need to build up a volunteer base to expand our after Mass hospitality. When Easter arrives, after the fasting, the donuts will taste even better. And we’d like to organize a group of volunteers that might also provide coffee with the donuts. We’d like to make the social time after Mass even more vibrant. So during this Lenten season, I’ll be praying, and the staff will be working to organize the “donut ministry”. If you feel called to help with this at a Mass once a month, please let me know. If this ministry develops well during Lent, donuts will be back on Sunday, April 19th. Oh what a day of rejoicing for the Lord has risen and we once again enjoy the delights of this world with renewed spirits!
Finally, below is a traditional way of reasoning on the practice of fasting, provided by the Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann.
“Christian tradition can name at least seven reasons for fasting:
From the beginning, God commanded some fasting, and sin entered into the world because Adam and Eve broke the fast.
For the Christian, fasting is ultimately about fasting from sin.
Fasting reveals our dependence on God and not the resources of this world.
Fasting is an ancient way of preparing for the Eucharist—the truest of foods.
Fasting is preparation for baptism (and all the sacraments)—for the reception of grace.
Fasting is a means of saving resources to give to the poor.
Fasting is a means of self-discipline, chastity, and the restraining of the appetites.”
Alexander Schmemann, “Notes in Liturgical Theology,” St. Vladimir’s Seminary Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 1, Winter 1959, pp. 2-9.
Are you going to be buying your loved one something for Valentine’s Day? Please use the link below and Amazon will donate to Holy Trinity! smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2747543
As part of their journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation, Year 2 Candidates were invited to get involved in acts of discipleship (service) in their community. They are then invited to create digital displays that showcased their area of service.
Join us in the Parish Hall on Sunday, February 9th after each Mass time (or the after Mass on Saturday night) to see all of their displays and enjoy some COFFEE & DONUTS with your parish community! We will have cups and bags of coffee for sale – all proceeds support our Mission trip to Mexico!
An update from our 2019 Advent Giving Tree: THANK YOU, HOLY TRINITY! Our parish collected and distributed 650 gifts and gift cards to nearly 200 people. Your participation made this possible! Please see the letter below from one recipient family. God bless your generosity!
All Middle School students are invited to Knott’s Middle School Youth Day on Saturday, February 8, 2020 (Hosted by the Diocese of Orange.)
Please see below for all the info you need and a link to registration….
See what it’s about… click here to view VIDEO.
Click here to REGISTER and download the Knotts 2020 Minor Permission Form
Join us on Thursday, January 23rd for a film and conversation with Fr Reynold! We will be meeting in the Parish Hall from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. There is no cost for this event but please RSVP below so we can provide adequate refreshments and comfortable seating for all.
All high school students are invited to our annual Christmas Party on Sunday, December 22nd at 6:30pm. Join us for dinner, games and a White Elephant gift exchange. Contact Andrew to RSVP and for more info on our gift exchange.
Join us on Friday, December 20th for Christmas Storytime with Fr. Reynold & Fr. John! Our beloved priests will each be reading a Christmas book and ending with a Happy Birthday celebration to Jesus! All kids (and parents) are invited! We will be meeting in the Parish Hall (be prepared to sit on the floor.) Birthday cake will be served in the courtyard afterwards.
Tis’ the season for sweet giving! Spread sweet joy to friends and family with some See’s chocolates. Available for purchase for this week at the Parish Office! Stop by any time during office hours.
Please Note: We are old sold our of the Mini Assorted and Santa’s List
