Pastor’s Letter: March 10, 2024

Pastor’s Letter: March 10, 2024

8 Mar 2024 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear friend,

This Sunday is Laetare Sunday. The world “laetare” means rejoice. The entrance antiphon for the Mass this Sunday is “Laetare Jerusalem” from the Prophet Isaiah. This is a call to celebrate and rejoice over the love God has for His people. For the liturgy this weekend, the Church allows more festivity than then during the rest of Lent. Flowers may be used on the Altar and the color rose can be worn for the priest vestment. This Sunday marks the middle point of the Lenten Season. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on how the season has progressed and to ponder ways to grow closer to Christ. If you haven’t yet received the Sacrament of Confession this Lent, please make plans to do so. One of the five precepts of the Catholic Church is to receive the Sacrament of Confession at least once a year, preferably during the Lenten Season. The Church knows we all need the gift of forgiveness and healing, at least once a year. In addition to our ordinary time for Confession we offer Confessions daily at 5 pm before the Weekday Evening Mass. Fr. Daniel and I are always willing to schedule a meeting in the office or church confessional for those that can’t make the regular scheduled times. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

The Gospel this week contains one of the more famous Bible quotes. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” The practice of faith and celebration of the Sacraments are all about getting to Heaven. We all have a soul that goes on to be with God in the afterlife. The state of our soul at death determines the state of our eternal existence. Life is with God, death is eternal separation from God. The words of Jesus reveal the path to heaven and the necessity of our cooperation. We all have a lot of control about our soul’s eternal state. We may not choose when we are born, whether we are male or female, the time we live, but we do choose what we say and do. Judgment for eternal life is related to human freedom and culpability. Lent gives us the opportunity each year to reflect on the path toward God and reevaluate our words and actions in the light of divine law. As we await the Easter Resurrection, let us commit ourselves to continued spiritual growth and seek the forgiveness of the God who loves us perfectly.

Fr. Luke Spannagel will preach all the Weekend Masses this weekend as part of his Lenten Mission for St. Philomena. The mission will include Mass at 5:30 pm and a Conference on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Each talk will be unique, (a listing of each topic is listed in this Sunday’s bulletin or on our website). Please join us for prayer, reflection and to deepen our love for the Eucharist.

In Christ’s Peace,

Father David

Click here for this Sunday’s readings.