ST. JUDE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY    PAGE SEVEN   MARCH 5, 2000 

The Westlake Village Discalced Carmelite Seculars will host a Workshop on Contemplative Prayer this Saturday, March 11^th, from 9:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. in St. Jude's Parish Hall.     Peggy Wilkinson, OCDS, author of "Finding the Mystic Within You", an inspirational book written for persons seeking a contemplative prayer life in tune with active life.

Peggy, who gained much of her insight while rearing eight children, has a very practical approach based on the premise that God is near everyone, and that those who train themselves spiritually can reach union with God in prayer.

Please bring a sack lunch.    A Free Will Offering will be accepted.    For additional information, please call Ida Rubin at 805 - 496 - 3986.

What Is An Indulgence? An Indulgence is "the remission before God of some or all the temporal punishment due to sins, already forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance".

What Is the Jubilee Holy Year Indulgence?   It is a Special Indulgence granted by His Holiness during this Jubilee Year 2000.

How Do We Gain the Jubilee Holy Year Indulgence?      Certain conditions need to be fulfilled by each person in order to gain this total remission of the temporal punishment due to our sins.

1. making a worthy Sacramental Confession, leading to a genuine conversion of heart.
   
2. worthily receiving Jesus in the Sacrament of Holy Communion,
   
3. praying for our Holy Father, by saying: the Creed, an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.
   
4. either making a Pilgrimage by visiting a Church,
   
5. or performing charitable works, by making the care for the sick, for those in prison, for the elderly or abandoned children, for young people in trouble, and all who are in need, a part of daily living.
   

It is that time of year again!     The Annual Religious Education Congress in Anaheim is upon us.     It is happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th.     

There will be sessions for personal growth and development, for parents, for all who minister in anyway in a parish community or Archdiocesan community.     Over 250 workshops will be offered during those three dynamic days presented in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Sign Language.     Those presenting these workshops will come from across the United States and from Europe.    Topics will range from spirituality and personal development to theology and catechesis.

On Thursday, April 6^th, the Annual Youth Day will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center.    Over 10,000 high schoolers from all over our Archdiocese and around the State will gather for a day of enrichment through thirteen diverse workshops, a concert, and a Eucharistic Liturgy with our Cardinal Archbishop presiding and concelebrated by all the priests in attendance.    Our Confirmation Candidates will be among attending, as will Confirmation Candidates from around the Archdiocese.

Sister Edith Pendergast will open the Congress 2000 with a reflection on the Congress Theme:   "Awaken Hope - Shout Jubilee".     Sister Elizabeth Johnson, Craig Kielburger, Arun Gandhi, and Bishop Samuel Ruiz will be the Keynote Speakers on Saturday and Sunday.

During the Congress there will be many opportunities for prayer and spiritual reflection.    Daily Morning and Evening Praise (Morning Prayer & Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours) will be prayed.     Each afternoon at 5:00 p.m. there will be Eucharistic Liturgies.     The Most Blessed Sacrament will be reserved in a special room all throughout the weekend for an opportunity to stop by and pay the Lord a visit.      Confession too during this Jubilee Year of Reconciliation will be available each day as the priests of the Archdiocese are being asked to make themselves available.

Register now!     Congress 2000 promises to be an enriching and spirit-filled weekend experience.    Registration Forms are available in the Religious Ed Office during their regular office hours, or call Joan Nardone at 818 - 889 - 0612.
You may also call Adrian Whitaker at 213 - 637 - 7332 or 637 - 7346.PS:   As has been done for years, our parish will have a Hospitality Room.    Because the Congress had to be changed from its original dates due to double booking by the Anaheim Convention Center, this year our Hospitality Room will be in the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.   Lunch will be provided Friday and Saturday as usual.     Members of our Sister Parish will also join us for lunch those days.

One of the ways to gain the Jubilee Indulgence is by making a Pilgrimage to the sacred shrines in the Holy Land or to the major Basilicas in Rome, or one of the churches designated by our Cardinal Archbishop.     The pilgrim must pray fulfill all the requirements listed above, and visit one of the churches designated by our Archbishop:

  Mission San Buenaventura
211 E. Main Street, Ventura
  Blessed Junipero Serra
5205 Upland Road, Camarillo.

Each parish has been asked to make a "Pilgrimage together" after seeking God's healing mercy and reconciliation.    Individuals can also seek these graces on their own after they have tried their best to choose life, have forgiven all who have hurt them, and have sought to be reconciled with God and neighbor