Sunday, March 12, 2017

A Word from Your Pastor March 12 - Second Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners:

The Second Sunday of Lent highlights the Transfiguration of Jesus, revealing a hint of the glory God has in store for our human nature.  The Sacraments are an invitation to us to live this glory now.

The scene of the Transfiguration offers us a glimpse as to how God works in us.  He prepares us.  He gives us Himself in a very intimate encounter.  Then He invites us to live out and share with others what He has given us when the time is right.

The Sacrament of Confirmation follows just this pattern in our manner of its celebration in the life of our Parish.  Our youth – the 8th grade class in our School and PSR – have a time of preparation that includes their 7th grade year and more immediate preparation in the months before the Sacrament is given.  We have classes that are informational.  At the time same time, there are experiences that are “formational,” such as workshops and a retreat.  The wider community of their parents and the parish and school community also share in these.    The Bishop comes to celebrate the Sacrament.  Then, the newly confirmed are invited to take their place in the life of the whole community through service and exercise of the gifts they have received.

All of us who have received the Spirit as an indwelling Presence through Confirmation are called to continue to respond to the Spirit’s promptings.  We are interiorly transformed through the Gifts of the Spirit, deepening the Faith, Hope and Love that have been planted in us through Baptism.  We are sent forth to live the Paschal Mystery and to proclaim the salvation that is given to us in Jesus Christ.


How have you responded to the Gift of the Spirit?  Are you consciously making use of the Spirit’s Gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord?  Do you seek out ways to share the Gospel with others?  We are charged by the Great Commission to “go out to all the world.”  Who in the world is waiting for you?

Our Parish Lenten Penance Service will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. 
Come to share in the Lord’s Gift of Mercy.   Confession is good for the soul.

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