Pastor’s Letter: February 27

Pastor’s Letter: February 27

25 Feb 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

The February 27 bulletin is now available online. 

Dear friends,

Last Sunday was the Men’s Club Smoker. It’s been a few years since we hosted the event. It went off without a hitch. I am always amazed by the ease at which our community comes together to socialize and raise funds for the parish. The dedication of our parishioners to the success of St. Philomena is truly humbling. So many parishioners are willing to pitch in to help our community thrive. Thanks to all of the Men’s Club members for the hours of service for the promotion of our parish and for all the future projects we can fund through their efforts.

On this 8^th Sunday in Ordinary Time the Church provides us one of my favorite Gospel passages. “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” Such a great question! Why do I really notice the faults of others? What is going on in me that I pay attention to the words, actions, or beliefs of others before my own? Christianity is certainly a religion about purification, conversion and seeking God-like perfection. Conversion often starts with the right question at the right time. Sometimes I need to ask myself the necessary self-reflection question and sometimes it’s Jesus Himself, in scripture or prayer. Why do I notice the splinter in someone else? Maybe that moment I’m tired, afraid, disappointed, angry, selfish or simply ignorant. The right question can help us grow as children of God. I pray we all have the courage to ask, or be asked, the poignant question that leads to daily conversion. This is especially necessary at this time as Lent begins with Ash Wednesday this week.

The Season of Lent is meant to be an intensified time of prayer and reflection on the gift and meaning of life. The 40 days of Lent are a reminder of the 40 days Jesus was in the desert. During those days, he overcame temptation and communicated his resolve to be faithful to himself and his Father in Heaven. Lent provides us the opportunity to focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Fasting is of course a form of sacrifice, a spiritual reminder to our bodies that our will is in charge, and a way to remember that we all are called to hunger for God’s love and forgiveness. The giving of alms helps us focus on worldly needs beyond our own. Lent is an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to God, increase our prayer, and experience the grace of fasting for conversion.

Attendance at Mass and visits to the Adoration Chapel, along with family prayers at home, ensure we keep the conversation with God growing. Throughout the Season of Lent several opportunities to pray and celebrate the sacraments are added to our schedule. Monday through Friday we will have confessions at 5pm with an additional Mass at 5:30pm. On Fridays of Lent, we will pray the Stations of the Cross at 6pm. Please take advantage of these additional opportunities to pray your way through Lent. I hope the Season of Lent is a time of spiritual growth for all in our parish community.

God bless,

Father David