Join us this Lent for our many opportunities to join in pray, reflection, and community!
St. Patrick Lenten Mission
Gathered Around the Table: Becoming What We Receive
February 23, 24 & 25
7PM in the Church
The table is one of the most important places where we connect as humans. In Scripture, the table is so significant that it is mentioned over 100 times and plays a key role in the story of Jesus. In fact, the very spiritual center of our lives revolves around a table: the table of communion; the table of sacrifice.
The Eucharist points us away from ourselves, feeding and transforming us to a new way of living. When we gather in the solidarity of Communion, we are united as one in the body and blood of Christ so we can share more fully in God’s life. In other words, the Eucharist renews us.
This renewal begins at the altar, but it definitely doesn’t end there. We are called to carry the Eucharist, the very presence of Jesus, out into our communities and weave it into the fabric of our everyday lives.
Come join us for three spiritually uplifting evenings filled with Scripture, stories, humor, prayer, and song that will help deepen your relationship with the Lord, reinvigorate the gift of the Eucharist, and inspire action to bring Jesus to everyone we encounter.
Monday, February 23
Setting the Table:
Forming an Intimate Relationship with Jesus
As Catholics, we are pretty good at knowing about Jesus; after all, we’ve heard all the stories. But we are called to go beyond knowing about Jesus. In this session, we’ll explore the best ways to get better acquainted with Jesus so that we can experience an intimate and personal relationship with our Creator.
Tuesday, February 24
Bring It All to the Table:
Living in an Altar’d State
The altar represents Christ, the cornerstone and foundation of the church. It is on the altar of Christ that we place ourselves – our trials, worries, burdens, and joys – giving us over to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. In this session, we will reveal the true meaning of offering ourselves on the Altar of Sacrifice.
Wednesday, February 25
A Welcoming Table:
Becoming the Body of Christ to Others
We are nourished and strengthened at the Lord’s table for our daily journey. However, we cannot receive Jesus in the Eucharist and remain the same. In this session, we will discover how we, the Body of Christ, are transformed into a sacrifice of love so we can bring Jesus out to the world.
Deacon Allen Tatara is a dynamic and passionate Catholic motivational speaker, preacher, storyteller, musician, and evangelist. He ministers across the country giving presentations at conferences, parish missions, retreats, workshops, diocesan and parish events, or to anyone who desires to grow and deepen their relationship with Jesus. Through his unique blend of heartfelt storytelling, humor, music, and deep-rooted spirituality, Deacon Allen’s presentations captivate and inspire audiences of all ages. His engaging and relatable approach creates a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impact on those who hear his message. With an unwavering commitment to his faith and a genuine passion for helping others, Deacon Allen continues to enrich the lives of countless individuals by helping them recognize God’s presence in the messy, everyday challenges of life.
Deacon Allen is also a published blogger and author. His blog, On the Inside; On the Outside, is a collection of writings about how work and the circumstances of everyday life are opportunities for growing closer to God and serving others. His writings have also been published in Give Us This Day, one of the most popular Catholic devotionals on the market.
A gifted musician and skilled songwriter, he has written more than 160 songs, with some being recorded by a Nashville recording artist. Deacon Allen has also opened for and performed with several Catholic musicians. For more than 24 years, he was the lead guitarist and a vocalist in The Gold Coast Orchestra, one of Chicago’s most energetic dance bands.
Deacon Allen is a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Ordained in 2009, he serves at St. Anne’s Parish in Barrington, Illinois. He has been involved with teens and young adults for more than 30 years, and was blessed to work alongside his wife, Stephanie, as Youth Ministry Coordinators at St. Hubert Church. He is the proud father of three young adult sons and has been blessed with three grandsons (thus far).