A Word from Your Pastor - February 28 Third Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners:

We conclude our journey through the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs.

·       pray for the living and the dead

The power of prayer to touch all time and all God’s creatures is a wonder.  The Spiritual Work of Mercy to pray for the living and the dead reveals our capacity now to live in the grace of the Resurrection of Jesus.  The Christ-life that is in us keeps us in a living relationship with both those who walk the journey of this life with us and those who have gone before us into the Mystery of death.  We are in communion with all the Saints – those in Heaven, those in Purgatory (the “Holy Souls”), and those on earth, who are with us “Saints in training.”

Prayer for the living and the dead is part of the fabric of our lives.  Daily at Mass and in the Liturgy of the Hours, we pray for the Church and her leaders, for civil officials and all in public service, for universal and local needs, and for those who have died.  Masses are celebrated with particular intentions in mind, especially for deceased loved ones.  Annually, the Church recalls the Saints in Glory and the Souls in Purgatory with the Solemnity of All Saints and the Memorial of All Souls.

At St. Timothy Church, each Wednesday, all are invited to pray in the Presence of the Holy Eucharist throughout the day.  A particular intention is given for each year on the Feast of our Parish Patron, St. Timothy.  Our children in St. Timothy School and our Parish School of Religion (our P.S.R.) are invited to share their intentions and to pray with each other.

Our prayer for one another is an act that binds us closely.  St. Ambrose reminds us that when each one prays for all, everyone is prayed for by everyone.  The expansiveness of our prayer gives God place to work in our lives and brings Heaven to earth.