Catholic Teens - February 8, 2005

On Tue, 8 Feb 2005 11:29:31 -0600, pwxsevere wrote
> As this email list expands, welcome to the teens from Rosholt, who I
> had a fun time visiting with this past Sunday morning. And feel
> free to share this with your friends and anyone else who's interested.
>
> Tomorrow begins the season of Lent. We all get ashes on our
> foreheads. Why? It seems kind of strange, after all we spend lots
> of time keeping our bodies, especially our faces(acne anyone?)
> clean. It's a tradition that goes back to Biblical times. We get
> ashes on our forehead to show a spirit of repentance, acknowledging
> that we have sinned against God. And that we need God's mercy.
> There are many instances in the Bible of people who have sinned,
> putting on what is called "sackcloth" and ashes, to show that they
> were sorry. Additionally, it reminds us that we are "made from dust,
> and to dust we shall return". Remember, we're hoping to end up in
> Heaven someday, none of us will be on Earth forever. And finally,
> it is a sign, a witness to the world around us, that we are people
> striving to follow God. (I don't think ashes on the forehead will
> ever be "fashionable."
>
> *************************************************************
>
> This week's Teen Question:
> "How do we get to Heaven?"
> -The simple answer is by saying "Yes" to God--following Jesus. We
> spend our lives praying, receiving the Sacraments, and doing our
> best to follow God's Will for our lives. And it's not like He's
> left us without direction. We have the 10 Commandments, we have the
> life of Jesus, and we have the lives of the saints. We can learn
> from their examples as to how we should live our own lives. Is it
> hard at times? Yes. But that's why God gives us Grace to keep
> plugging along, especially in the Sacraments. Communion, also means
> the food for us to keep persevering toward God. And in Confirmation
> we receive the Holy Spirit and the 7 Gifts that come with. (Wisdom,
> understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the
> Lord). All these things are given to us to help us on the way
> toward Heaven. So take advantage of them :-)
>
> -As always feel free to submit questions to be answered here!
> ****************************************************************
>
> Finally one announcement:
> Wisconsin Right to Life is having their Annual Teen Convention in
> Appleton this year. April 23rd-24th. LeRoy Butler, former Green
> Bay Packers star will be speaking. Cost for Teens is $35. And the
> local Portage County Right to Life group is offering $20
> scholarships, meaning your cost is only $15. I have the rest of the
> details, so contact me if you're interested.
>
> God bless ya!
> Phil Lawson

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you
wish." --Mother Teresa