Dear Parish Family:
Welcome to the Season of Lent and the First Sunday of Lent!! This weekend’s scripture readings remind us about temptations in life. The first temptation occurred in the Garden of Eden as Adam and Eve made a choice to listen to the voice of Satan and not the voice of God. In the Gospel, Jesus is taken out to the desert to fast for 40 days and he encounters Satan. Jesus, fully human, responds differently than our first parents as Jesus walks away from Satan so that the Son of God could continue to love God and fulfill his mission! Sometimes Temptations can be all around and all over us and we must pray for the strength to not even begin a dialogue with the devil!
Movement for a Better World has scheduled the annual Book Drive for the weekend of February 28 – March 1. This year we are providing for over 300 children during our Easter distribution on March 28th. If you have any children’s books that are new or used and in good condition and would like to donate them to the children, please bring them to Mass next weekend. Scroll down to see the notice below.
It’s time to start thinking about our annual Parish Fair. This year it will be held on Friday, May 1st, Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd. Mark your calendars and plan to participate, volunteer, serve and just have fun!!
If you are a sinner – please continue reading. Mark your calendars for Tuesday evening, March 24th at 7 PM and join us in the church for our Lenten celebration of Reconciliation. Several neighboring priests will be available to hear your confession and renew and cleanse you as a part of your spiritual Lenten journey.
Here’s some wise counsel on deepening our journey into Lent: Pope Leo, in his first Lenten message, highlighted what he called “An unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.” The Pope urged all Catholics to cultivate kindness “in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and Christian communities.”
Last Sunday, our Catechumens along with their sponsors and Sr. Eva journeyed to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Our catechumens were chosen by Archbishop Gomez to continue their journey to the Easter sacraments and congratulations to our new Elect!
I’m praying for you and your families during this Lenten Journey,
Msgr. Kevin