Remember to abstain from meat today if you're 14 or older.

     Lent is a great time to go to confession, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Our Lenten schedule is Mondays, 2-4 PM & 6-7 PM; during the Friday 3 PM Holy Hour; and Saturdays, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.  Enter the church via the canopy entrance.  I'll be waiting in the parish hall.  Please wait in the church if a penitent is already in the parish hall.  Stand in front of the screen.  If I don't greet you first, please let me know you're there.  I can hear most people walking, but some are really quiet.

     We have Sunday Masses on Saturday evenings at 4 PM and 6 PM and on Sundays at 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM.  Last weekend, our 4 PM Mass was nearly full.  All the other Masses had room.

     Governor Murphy and Bishop O'Connell have said that we can now go up to 50% capacity as long as households stay six feet apart.  Since most of our households are one or two people, it's very hard for us to get above 15% capacity.  We'll try to fit a few more people in our church.  Currently, I'm thinking of having a few people sit in the very middle of pews in the two center sections of the church.  That will add six spots for individuals.  I'll ask Tom to help me work on it early next week.

     The House passed the Equality Act.  It goes to the Senate next.  Hopefully, the Senate will not pass it because it would legalize discrimination against women, religious believers, and those who uphold the truth about biological sex.  To read more about it and the underlying issues, consider reading the following articles:

     I just watched a whole episode of EWTN News Nightly for the first time in a few years.  I had watched it almost every day the first year it was on the air.  But there are just too many wonderful shows on EWTN.  Well, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and recommend it to you.  It roughly corresponds to the main stream media's world news programs but from a Catholic perspective.  Yesterday's program addressed the Equality Act, ethics of the COVID vaccines, and the Mars probe landing.  For more information, visit https://www.ewtnnews.com/

     It's Friday.  Let's pray for one another's intentions.  I'll get us started.  Add your own by clicking on the Reply button in this message.

1)  For true equality in our laws for all human beings from conception until natural death.

2)  That all our parishioners who choose to get vaccinated may be able to do so soon.

3)  For an end to the "cancel culture" and true reconciliation among all members of our society.

4)  For our Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop as they move their meetings onto our campus.

5)  For those suffering from divorce or separation, may they look to Jesus for healing.

God love you,

Fr. Jim