March 8, 2024

Dear Friends, 

Can you believe that Lent is almost over? All that agony of what we had given up, avoiding meat, trying to be better, it’s all almost over, right? Or are things really just beginning? Because that is the real thing we need to remember with Lent. We use this time to deepen our relationship and connection to God not just for the 40 days of Lent, but hopefully laying a foundation for the coming days, weeks, months, and years. It is what we really should be doing.

Lent is the time to get to know God or to deepen our connection to God. What have you done? Obviously don’t yell your answer at your computer or phone screen, have that conversation with yourself (silently otherwise people will want to know who you are talking to). The good news is that if your answer was not much or I could be doing more, we still have options. Did you know that after the 5:00 pm mass on Saturday and the 11:00 am mass on Sunday, we will have the Living Stations of the Cross presented by our Confirmation candidates? I hope so (otherwise please stop zoning out during the announcements). Don’t forget we have Monday night confession, Tuesdays we say the Rosary followed by Stations of the Cross.

Also, this year we are trying something a bit different. Traditionally during Lent, parishes have a Parish Mission, usually a 3-night themed event. I know for some this can be a struggle to attend all 3 nights. Instead, we have Msgr. Robert Coleman, former rector of the seminary I attended, coming for a one-night event. So, first of all if you are happy with me, come and tell him how much you like me (just not my dad jokes)! If you aren’t too happy with me, still come and blame him for letting me be ordained. I’m fine with that too. On Tuesday March 19, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of St. Joseph with a mass at 7:00 pm. During mass, there will be an extended homily on St. Joseph and reflection on his life. After the conclusion of mass, we will have a Blessing of our St. Joseph’s table, with coffee and tea to follow.

If you celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph as part of your family traditions, you may bring your pastries and stuff along to be blessed as well. It is going to be a different way to continue our own Lenten journey, before we slip right into Holy Week and everything Easter. 

Today is gonna be a great day, stop reading your email and enjoy the sun.

Fr. Brian 

P.S.  What do you call a Catholic priest who became a lawyer? A father-in-law....

P.P.S. Since you did not get one from last week: What was papal infallibility called when St. Peter was pope? Simon Says. (I rolled my eyes too)