Father's weekly message
March 2, 2025 – Eighth Sunday of the Ordinary Time
Season of Lent is a call to be with Jesus in the desert
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, the Church enters into the season of Lent, which is the primary penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year. During these forty days, we are called to unite ourselves in prayer with Jesus in the desert. In the desert, Jesus teaches to pray, fast, and particularly he teaches how to vanquish the temptations of the devil in our daily life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in # 540 says: Jesus' temptation reveals the way in which the Son of God is Messiah, contrary to the way Satan proposes to him and the way men wish to attribute to him. This is why Christ vanquished the Tempter for us: "For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning." By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert. Lenten season provides many graces and a path for interior conversion. Jesus in the gospels teach us the need for interior conversion and repentance, for without the conversion of heart and interior disposition to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit all exterior works of mercy and gestures of devotions or piety bear no spiritual fruits or progress in holiness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph # 1434-1439 offers many forms of penance in Christian life. In # 1434 CCC says, the interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: effort at reconciliation with one's neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one's neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity "which covers a multitude of sins.” During this Lent, I invite you to consider three practical and daily spiritual works which would help you to grow in your spiritual life and become more and more attentive to the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and in the life of others. 1. Try to attend the daily Mass and receive the Holy Communion. 2. Daily reading of the Holy Scriptures enables us to attentively listen to the voice of God. 3. Go to Confession regularly because there we profoundly experience the mercy of God.
May the Season of Lent strengthen our hope — Fr. Jesu
Announcements for February 23rd
We will have three Masses on Ash Wednesday: 12 noon in English, 5:30 p.m. in English and 7:00 p.m. in Spanish. Please bring last year’s palms to the Narthex no later than this Tuesday.
Tendremos tres Misas el Miércoles de Ceniza: a las 12 del mediodía en inglés, a las 5:30 p.m. en inglés y 7:00 p.m. en español. Traiga las palmas del año pasado al Narthex a más tardar este martes.
Please see the Lenten Schedule (purple handout) in the Narthex and participate in the liturgical services as best you can. Also prepare yourself for a good confession.
Consulte el Horario de Cuaresma (folleto morado) en el Narthex y participe en los servicios litúrgicos lo mejor que pueda. Prepárate también para una buena confesión.
Stations of the Cross begin this Friday, March 7th at 6:00 p.m. with Mass following at 6:45 p.m.
El Via Crucis comienza este viernes 7 de marzo a las 6:00 p.m. con misa a continuación a las 6:45 p.m.
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2025 theme is Receiving Mercy and Restoring Hope. Our Parish goal is $40K. Please prayerfully consider helping us to reach our goal. If you have already received pledge envelopes from the Diocese, kindly bring them to our Church office. Do not mail them directly.
El tema de la Campaña Anual del Obispo para 2025 es Recibiendo Misericordia y Restaurando la Esperanza. Nuestra meta parroquial es $40,000. Por favor, considere en oración ayudarnos a alcanzar nuestra meta. Si ya recibió sobres de compromiso de la Diócesis, tráigalos a la oficina de nuestra Iglesia. No los envíe por correo directamente.
The Tree of Life (located in the Parish Hall) is a special place to share loving messages in memory or honor of someone you love in an everlasting memorial. Leaves are $100.00 each and can be purchased in the church office. Kindly consider purchasing one today for your family!
El Árbol de la Vida (ubicado en el Salón Parroquial) es un lugar especial para compartir mensajes amorosos en memoria o en honor de alguien a quien amas en un memorial eterno. Las hojas cuestan $100.00 cada una y se pueden comprar en la oficina de la iglesia. ¡Considere comprar uno hoy para su familia!
Please consider signing up for various ministries, we would like to have more ushers, lectors, and members for linen care ministry. Kindly see one of the hospitality ministers to sign up.
Considere inscribirse en varios ministerios; nos gustaría tener más ujieres, lectores y miembros para el ministerio de cuidado de la ropa blanca. Por favor consulte a uno de los ministros de hospitalidad para registrarse.