We exist to witness God's love so that all can share in His joy.
Search
2/14/21 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
-
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Valentine’s Day! As we gather on this day, we call to mind St. Valentine who encouraged his flock to write notes of encouragement for those enduring persecution. It is important during these COVID days to keep in touch with our elderly family and friends, those who live alone and those who are ill. In the last months, I have had many family intentions for loved ones who have COVID. Thankfully each of these families have now made an improvement and are back in the safety of their homes and recuperating at a steady pace. We also keep many parishioners with other illnesses other than COVID in our prayers. Please keep in your prayers, mass intentions for our beloved parishioners, Cathy Mindel, Arlene Crispin, Ann K. and Kevin R.
This weekend, I am happy to welcome five married couples who will talk a little bit of the joys and sometimes too, the challenges of married life. A big thank you to Phil and Barb Carangelo who will witness at the 5 pm mass, Deacon Ray and Leslie who will witness at the 7:30 am mass, Chris and Deb Caulfield at the 9:30 am mass, Pete and Jean Ferriso who will witness at the 11:30 am mass and Pete and Colleen Smith at the 6:00 pm mass. On behalf of Fr. Hubert, we congratulate all married couples and engaged couples and pray that through the sacrament of Marriage, God’s grace and blessings will continue to help them to witness this special sacrament in their lives.
Well, my friends Lent begins on Wednesday! This Ash Wednesday will be a little different. Fr. Hubert and I only will sprinkle the ashes on the head of each parishioner. Our diocese has advised against putting ashes on the forehead to avoid contamination. Our liturgies for Ash Wednesday will be as follows: 9 am Mass, 12:00 pm Liturgy, 5 pm Liturgy and 7 pm Mass. As we begin the season of Lent, the priest simply reminds us, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return”. This simple prayer helps us
to better understand that we all die, and it is not a matter of how old we are when we die, it is a matter of how we live. This Lent let us try to die to sin and through prayer, almsgiving and sacrifice, prepare to rise to new life in Christ at Easter time. For those of you who can make it, I encourage daily mass as the best way to stay close to God. Do remember for those of you who are sheltered at home, daily mass is live-streamed and can be watched when your schedule permits.
Fr. Hubert or I will preside at the Stations of the Cross each Friday following the 9 am mass. This will also be live-streamed. The rosary, as we know is a beautiful prayer and I encourage families to pray the rosary daily if possible. Do remember the church is open every day from 8 am – 8 pm for quiet prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Each Lent, my sacrifice is to give up hard liquor and ice cream and setting aside the funds I would use for that to be donated to a charity. This year, the charity is Hands
of St. Luke and I plan to bring that total up to $200. I urge you to continue bringing in non-perishable items each week and also to make St. Luke’s pantry the recipient of your Lenten sacrifice. In this way, we can make a money donation to Catholic Charities from Hands of St. Luke after Easter to help those of our brothers and sisters living in poverty. I encourage parents to begin a dialogue immediately with your children so that all families would be involved in this Lenten journey.
My best wishes for a meaningful Lenten season.
Fr. Owen