No Worries, Mate!

There has been a lot of buzz lately about the "Final Days!" I even say a huge billboard warning of the end of the world sometime in May of this year.In addition, people see the natural disasters and the increasing violence and wars as a sign of the end time. It is causing many to worry.
The truth is, as Jesus tells us, no one knows the time but God. Our faith tells us to be ready at all times, then to get on with life. No one can lengthen their lives by worrying about when the end of the world will be. In fact, each person's end of the world is the day they pass from this life to the next. All we can do is focus on living the best we can. The rest is up to God and no one knows what God has in mind.

While we shouldn't worry about the end, we can, especially during Lent, care for those who are suffering from all that is going on in this world. The people of Japan and Haiti need our help. Closer to home, many go hungry. We can all examine our lifestyles to find ways to be of support both materially and spiritual to those who are hurting. We are all so blessed and sharing from those blessings will put aside worry about the end of the world and focus us more on appreciating the world we have now.

Bishop's Day of Reflection

This Saturday was the Bishop's Day of Reflection, a time set aside for all those adultspreparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist as well as those who willbe recieved into communion with the Catholic Church to et to know their bishop and to reflect on the meaning of the Lord's Prayer. Over 400 people gathered to listen to the bishop and Sr. Barbara Thiella or to Sr Gloria (in Spanish) break open the Our Father line by line and lead reflections on how it calls us to live as Christians.
The day began with calebration of the Rite of Continuing Conversion. This celebration recognizes the Christians who want to complete their initiation and the bishop accepts them and offers prayers and blessing for their continued faith journey.
The folowing day, those who will be fully initiated this Easter Vigil were asked to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect and were prayerfully sent to thwe bishop who will recognize and recieve them as ready for baptism. It all was overwhelming sometimes; to see so many journeying in faith and joining our faith community.

Mardi Gras & Lent

Lent is here!
Tuesday is Mardi Gras and the next day starts Lent. Both are connected. Carnival is a "farewell to meat" meaning a chance to celebrate life and the plenty God provides. It helps mark the transition to Lent, a time to consider our mortality and our dependence on God so that we can reform our lives to more closely follow Christ. Sometimes, we lose the lenten transition in the hectic ordinariness of our days and weeks.

Celebratuion Mardi Gras, even in a small way then entering the lenten fast helps us be mindful of the change of focus and keeps the preparation for Easter in a spiritual focus.
Our Parish has a number of adults and older childer preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church at Easter. Please keep them in your prayers. More on their journey later.