A Message from Abigail Treacy,
Associate Campus Minister
This Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday - laetare meaning rejoice. Much like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, amidst this penitential season, the Church calls us to rejoice. This weekend, we are reminded of God’s healing power bringing us out of the blindness of sin into new light—a great reason to be joyful.
In this well-known Gospel of the blind man, Jesus sees him, denies the lies laid upon him, approaches him, and heals him. In our own lives, it is Jesus that moves toward us, and it is Jesus who heals us. The Church helps us to realize that we were all the man born blind once—we were all born with original sin. Thanks be to God when we were baptized; we were washed clean of this sin, led out of the darkness and into the light. Jesus did not come to punish, chastise, or push us away. Rather, He comes to heal us and call each one of us to Him.
Likewise, this Gospel also reminds us of the response to the question that many ask when something deeply saddening happens in our own lives or in the lives of those around us. Many of us in these moments ask ourselves, “Where is God in all this?” “Why would He punish us like this?” or “What did we do wrong to deserve this?” But that’s not what the Lord is telling us in this passage. When the disciples question Jesus about the blind man, he corrects them and helps them understand that this man is not without sight because of his parents or his own sins. He also shows them that He is not there to condemn this man like all those before him. In fact, He walks up to the man and confirms that He has come to heal him. In the same way, Jesus does not come to hurt us, punish us, or bring pain upon us. Jesus comes to heal, to save us, and to love us ever so deeply. He sees you, moves towards you, knows what you desire, and touches your heart in your deepest need.
Pope St. John Paul II said, “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.” Although we have already been baptized in the water and the Spirit, we are all experiencing an ongoing conversion in this life. It is up to us to look up at Him, to be open to Him, and to choose to walk in the light with Him, just like the man born blind.
So, I ask you, where are you blind to the Lord in your life? Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead…Christ will give you light. He sees you, is approaching you, and wants to heal you. Will you let Him?
It is halfway through the Lenten season now, so let us pray fervently for the Lord’s strength to renew our faith, increase our hope, and return with great eagerness to our Lenten practices. Let us rejoice today, keeping St. Paul’s words ever in our minds:
Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.
May God bless you,
Abigail Treacy
Associate Campus Minister
Abigail Treacy
Resources:
Prayer Intentions
To submit names for prayer intentions in the Bulletin, use this link or call the Parish Office at (765) 743-4652.
Announcements
St. Patrick's Day Dispensation
Bishop Doherty has granted a dispensation for Catholics to eat meat this Friday, March 17, in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day. With the dispensation, one should seek another day during the week to observe abstinence.
Fish Fry & St. Patrick’s Day Meal by KoC
Lafayette Knights of Columbus Council #456 will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent at the KoC Hall, 218 S. 4th street, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Also, a corned beef and cabbage and Rueben sandwich luncheon will take place on St. Patrick’s Day next Friday, March 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hall. Note: Bishop Doherty issued a dispensation for Catholics to have meat that Friday! All are welcome!
No Daily Mass, Confession, or Adoration on Monday
Due to an all-day Priests' Meeting in Tipton, there will be NO Confession, Daily Mass, or Adoration this Monday, March 20.
Ladies Mass on Wednesday
Join Ladies Mass this Wednesday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. with music by Caitie Beardmore and a potluck dinner afterward in Newman Hall. All are welcome!
The Best Lent Ever!
"Have Your Best Lent Ever" by visiting St. Tom's Lent resource page AND signing up for our "Best Lent Ever" daily reflections via Flocknote. By signing up for Best Lent Ever, you will receive a daily email with a video, a question or two to ponder, and a few suggestions to carry out your day in the spirit of Christ. Current Flocknote subscribers can text "bestlentsttoms" to 84576 to sign up. If you don't currently receive St. Tom's Flocknotes, first text "TOM" to 84576 and then "bestlentstotoms."
Support the Mental Health of Our Indiana Citizens
Make a difference in the lives of our community members who are experiencing mental health crises by supporting full funding for Indiana Senate Bill 1, “Behavioral health matters.” The bill will establish a response system so that everyone in crisis has a number to call, someone to come to, and a safe place to go. In addition to its alignment with our faith and respecting the dignity of the person, the Behavioral Health Commission estimates that a crisis response system for the State of Indiana would cost $130.6 million annually, a small fraction of the $4.25 billion that untreated mental illness costs our state each year. According to Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC), there is support for the passage of the bill, but NOT with the attached funding required to make it successful due to competing needs and the state budget process. Listen to the weekly ICC podcast for more information. To send a message of support (for full funding of IB1) to your state legislators online, visit the ICC website. Go to the “Find Officials” section on this ICC action page and enter your address and zip code. A legislator directory list for your region will appear. Click the box beside the name of the legislator that you want to contact and click the “compose message” button at the bottom of the page to send a message.
ST. TOM'S EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Want to be a Mouse? Apply Now.
Boiler Catholic students. Would you like to be a church mouse at St. Tom’s? Mice assist with facility needs in exchange for an apartment with all utilities paid. Applications are being accepted online for the summer and the 2023-24 academic year.
Pastorate Office and Facilities Manager
St. Tom's is seeking candidates for the position of Pastorate Office and Facilities Manager to oversee logistics for 20-30 annual ministry activities and social and community events (orders supplies, arranges cleaning and maintenance of facilities prior to and following events, etc.), serves as liaison with Greater Lafayette Central Administrative Office (GLCAO), external vendors, other pastorates, and local governmental agencies (police, fire, city services), and manages operations staff (operations, office, and maintenance staff).
For more information and to apply for either of these positions, visit https://www.boilercatholics.org/employment.