ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!
Welcome to those who want to make our parish their faith home. You may have come from other places. You may have been “away for a while”. Be assured that we love to have you among us. We would appreciate it very much if you identified yourself at Mass. It would also help if you would take the time to fill out a registration form. The next time you are with us, you may leave it in the collection basket or give it to one of the ushers or to the priest. Thank you and welcome.

LENT - WE CLIMB THE HOLY MOUNTAIN OF EASTER
Lent does not exist for itself; we observe it for the sake of Easter, the church's celebration of Christ's victory over death and sin. There would be no Lenten season, just as there would be no Christmas, if it was not for Jesus Christ having been crucified and having been raised from the dead for our sake. This is such an enormous event of faith that its celebration needs to be prepared for during these forty days of Lent.

How to observe the Lenten season? The three traditional Lenten practices of praying, fasting and almsgiving are hard to beat, even if they may pose some challenges in our time:

PRAYER: Prayer, not to be restricted to church, but to be practiced at home as well. There is some reflection material at the entrance to the church. And if you are on the internet, try www.sacredspace.ie. Good stuff there.

FASTING: Fasting in the form of refraining from some food, a drink, a party, a video or another form of entertainment can be a beautiful gesture of solidarity with the poor in our world. It can also be healthy for ourselves when it helps us gain a certain freedom from things we depend on or are imprisoned by.

ALMS: The almsgiving of Lent is best based on the Lenten fasting. We put the money we save from our Lenten fasting aside and gradually build up our contribution to the Development and Peace collection at the end of Lent.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT
This year, certain parishioners have offered to carpool to St. Aloysius parish every Friday during Lent to attend the Stations of the Cross there. If you want to attend the services at St. Aloysius, please contact the parish Secretary, Alma Miller no later than the Thursday afternoon before the service.

PASSION NARRATIVES
Thursday night, February 21st, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Fr. Bill Marrevee and Pauline Leduc will be helping us take a closer look at the Passion narratives in the four different gospels. There are significant differences in these four accounts. Come and discover them, see which one corresponds to your own prayer style, to help you meditate on Jesus’ Passion during this time of Lent. It will be a very informal evening with opportunity to interact. Bring your Bible. Meet in the parish hall at St. Aloysius, 300 Abbé-Murray St., Gatineau.

RETREAT DAY
Sunday, February 24th, after 11:00 Mass, at St. Aloysius church, 300 Abbé-Murray, Gatineau, everyone is welcome to bring a bag lunch; beverages will be provided. Following lunch, Fr. Gyan Topno will discuss with us his experience of being a Christian in a non-Christian country, India. After his presentation, we will discuss in small groups how our challenges in Canada relate to his and what we can learn from his experience. At 2:15, Fr. Paul Mbav will discuss with us his experience of living his faith in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a non-Christian country and, again, we will take time to discuss in small groups. At 3:30 we will all share the questions or realizations which surfaced during the afternoon. At 4:00 we will conclude with prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcomed to participate in this retreat, young and old and in-between. It will be very informal and meant to help us take a serious look at how we live our faith and how we can support each other in that.

DEVELOPMENT & PEACE

	“I believe – I give” This week, a mini magazine for Share Lent entitled “I believe – I give” is included with the bulletin. It tells us how Development and Peace has transformed people’s lives in so many different ways. As I look at the pictures of the people in the magazine, I notice how they are all smiling – these stories are truly “success stories”. I believe that Development and Peace is really making a difference in their lives and our Christian values are lived out as we “give”.
		Diane Cameron Transformation Committee

PPC NEEDS NEW BLOOD
Reminder: Two members of PPC will be stepping down on April 1st 2008 -- one from St. Malachy and one from OLV. Become more involved. Please advise our secretary, Alma Miller, no later than March 3rd 2008 if you are interested. Any of the current members of PPC would be only too pleased to answer any questions you may have.

PRAYER DEVOTIONS
During Lent, the prayer devotions will be held on Wednesday mornings at 10:15 a.m. instead of Thursday afternoons. The prayer intention box is at the back of both parishes if you wish to have any petitions/intentions prayed on your behalf.

THINK FAST
This is a chance for youth to be introduced to issues of global justice and international development, in a simple and fun way by looking at global issues and examining how each of us play a part. All youth between the ages of 11 and 18 are invited to join in this popular D&P youth activity which will begin on Friday February 22 at 6 pm, and end with a meal following the 7 pm mass at St. Mark’s on Saturday February 23rd. All activities will take place inside the St. Mark’s church. See the posters at the entrance of the church for details.

FEEDBACK FROM THE LETTER SENT THIS MONTH
you received the letter sent out in regards to the General Assembly meeting held in the Fall? Do you have comments or questions or concerns? Or have you any word from the younger generations to pass along? Drop us a note in the collection basket or at the office. Signed the Chairpersons of the Fabriques of OLV and St. Malachy and of the joint PPC.

PRAYERS & SYMPATHY
- For Robert (Bobby) McDonnell who died recently. Please remember him and his family in your prayers

ARE YOU A CANCER SURVIVOR? DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO IS?
The first Relay for Life (sponsored by the Cancer Society) will be held on Friday, June 13 from 7 p.m. to Saturday, June 14 at 7:00 a.m, at McAndrew Park Please keep that date in mind. More information will be provided next week.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB BAZAAR - FEB.20TH 1:30 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.
- at the Knights of Columbus hall. Come and enjoy the Bake Table, Craft Table, Bric-a-Brac Table, Raffle, Door Prize, Guess Jar, and Light Lunch. You can enjoy all this for the Admission price of only $1:00. Every one is welcome.

ST PATRICK’S TEA - MARCH 15TH, 2:00 TO 4:00 P.M. - OLV PARISH HALL.
If you can help, please call Monique at 986-3166.

COUNTRY SUPPER & DANCE MARCH 14TH, 6:00 P.M.
- at the Palais Gomme, Doherty Road, to raise money for Canada Day activities. More information will be provided next week.

ST PATRICK’S DANCE - MARCH 15TH
- At the Gatineau Legion hall. Sponsored by St.Columban Church. More info will follow.