Pastor's Reflection
The First Sunday of Lent, February 26, 2023
Dear Friends,
Here we are at the first Sunday of Lent! I am excited for this opportunity this year. The question we must consciously grapple with is what are we doing this Lent? If you have not yet settled on this, take time this weekend to do so. Many ideas were included in last week’s column and of course creativity is encouraged. But be sure to make a plan, even if you decide to change it up from week to week.
May I bring the following to you attention and for your consideration. We are in the midst of a three-year national Eucharistic Revival. The Bishops are encouraging us to deepen our understanding, appreciation, and love for Jesus who is truly, really, and fully present to us in the Eucharist, the Most Blessed Sacrament. The consecrated Host is not a symbol or memorial but really is Jesus. As a parish family, we want to focus our Lenten journey this year on Jesus in the Eucharist. Our theme for this is “Sharing in the Body of Christ.”
The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 19, 2023
Dear Friends,
Our first reading opens this way, “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” And then the Lord goes on, “Take no revenge and cherish no grudge … You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the very statement that Jesus uses when He answers the question about the greatest commandments. It is the second.
In our Gospel this weekend, we are reminded that Jesus takes this one step further. In His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us, “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father…”
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 12, 2023
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday, our Sacred Music Concert was simply outstanding. My heartfelt gratitude to all the musicians involved who led us through the music into a place of quiet, reflection and solitude with our Eucharistic Lord. A very profound thank you to Elizabeth Calabro for her tremendous effort in visioning, planning, organizing, and executing this very special moment for our parish family. May Jesus Christ be praised!
