Change is Going to Come

The dog days of Summer are past and there is a morning chill in the air that tells us that Autumn is just about upon us. Soon the trees will begin to dress themselves for the season and eventually drop their foliage.
Many families have put away their warm weather fun equipment and began to settle into another routine.


What will the changes in the season mean for you? Will it be another routine time?

Here is an idea and a challenge! Use this changing of the seasons to make some changes in your way of life. Add a time for family prayer. Make a date with yourself for a retreat or new time for prayer.
Commit to a healthier lifestyle. Take time to reflect on the beauty that our loving God has placed all around us, both in nature and the wonderful and interesting people who cross our path.

Life is a gift from God who wants to be in passionate relationship with us. It would be a terrible waste if this turns out to be another "routine" time in our relationship with the Lord. What will you do to demonstrate your appreciation of God's many gifts?

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer!
Those words from a Nat King Cole song speak about the way Summer affects people's outlook and activities. For some, summertime is about a more relaxed pace. For others, the extra daylight and warm weather allows for more activities, especially outdoors.
Unfortunately, summertime for some people means a lessening of their commitment to prayer and time with God. Sunday Mass is less attended.
Make a pledge to yourself to renew your time with God. This is a good opportunity to find and commune with God in nature, to use the season of Summer to try new prayer forms or resume one we may have neglected. Use the magnificent gift of this season to open yourself more to God, to follow Christ more closely, to unclutter and refocus on what really matters - our relationship with our Creator.
Have a happy and blessed Summertime and may your living be easy!

Christ has Risen. Alleluia!

On the great Easter Vigil, 31 adults and older children were fully initiated. Their journey to the font was not always easy. It took time, effort and dedication.

I wonder how many Catholics, as they witnessed this great event, reflected on their own faith journey. I'm sure there were difficult times, times of struggle with some teaching or practice of the Church and times when keeping faithful took dedication and effort.

Think about your own faith path. Where has the Spirit taken you? Where have you wandered onto a different road, only to find your way back? How are you equipping yourself for the rest of your journey to God's Eternal Easter.
Let us hear your comments on Easter, journeying in faith and the path to the heavenly banquet.

Our Parish Family Keeps Growing

This last Sunday, March 25th, 5 women joined our church through a profession of faith, confirmation and celebration of their first Holy Communion. It was a delight to be with them at the culmination of this phase of their faith journey.
At the Easter vigil on April 7th, 8 adults and 24 older children will be baptized, confirmed and receive communion. Please pray for them in this final stage of the process.Their pictures are in the church vestibule so you can put faces to your prayers for them.
These people have made a great effort and sacrifices in order to develop themselves as faith disciples of Christ. How can their example inspire us in our discipleship?

Holy Week(s)

Holy Week(s)

 March 25th is Palm Sunday and there is much going on. On Sunday, at the 8:45 Mass, 5 Christians will make their profession of faith and be received into full communion with the Catholic. That evening at 6:00 Mass, the Elect will experience the 3rd scrutiny and be given the Lord's Prayer by our Church.
 April 1st begins the high holy days of our Church. It also begins the final weeks of preparation & celebration for those who have been journeying as candidates and the Elect. On that Thursday evening is the Mass when the washing of disciple's feet takes place. Good Friday is the Veneration of the Cross.
That brings us to Holy Saturday. From 9-2 the Elect and the Confirmation candidates will be on retreat. That night, starting at 8pm is the Vigil of Easter. At that liturgy 31 people will be baptized, confirmed and receive their first communion.
This is an exciting time for me, the RCIA team and all involved. It is also the high point of our Church year for all Catholics. Please pray for all those involved in this weeks' happenings.

Lenten Practices


Growing up, there was one question that dominated our thoughts as Lent approached; "What are you giving up for Lent?". We somehow knew that Lent was a time of sacrifice and to our childlike perception it meant we had to forgo something we enjoyed, like candy or soda. We kidded about giving up Brussel sprouts.


While self sacrifice is still a part of the lenten discipline, it has to connect to a larger lenten spirituality. The question for those who are serious about their faith growth should be, "How will I be a better disciple of Christ because of my lenten disciplines.". Sacrifice for its own sake is never productive. We sacrifice something so we can reflect on the many gifts we have been given and how well we share our good fortune with those less fortunate.


The three traditional areas of lenten discipline are prayer, fasting and alms-giving. I would like to offer some suggestions for these three areas.
PRAYER - Lent is a good time to start a new prayer practice. Keeping a prayer journal, using the morning & evening prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours, or taking time to quietly sit in the Lord's presence are all good ways to increase your prayer discipline.
FASTING - While the traditional fast is associated with food, I suggest you consider also fasting from those distractions and habits that lessen the intensity of your relationship with God. Fast from gossip. Fast from anger. Fast from some of your TV time and spend it on your prayer discipline instead. 
ALMS-GIVING - Acts of charity and service should be normal for the committed Christian. Lent is a time to consciously make an effort to be aware of how much God has given us and to return some by helping others. Scripture says"Whatever you have done for the least of your brothers and sisters, you have done for me.". One good way is to take the money you would have spent on the extra Starbucks or that big meal that you fasted from and donate it to the Rice Bowl campaign or to St Vincent de Paul society. Another way is to go through your closet. Anything you haven't worn in the last 6 months most likely won't be missed if you donate it to Goodwill or another agency.
Not all charity involves money or goods. Acts of charity can also mean spending time with a lonely neighbor, cleaning up for an elderly homeowner, offering a ride to ch8urch to someone who doesn't drive are all good acts of caring.


WHAT WILL YOU DO TO MAKE THIS LENT A TIME TO GROW IN YOUR FAITH?
HOW WILL YOUR LENTEN PRACTICES MAKE CHRIST MORE PRESENT IN YOUR HOME, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR WORK?
Let us hear from you.

Time to Enjoy Life

Like many people, I tend to suffer a let down following the Christmas holidays. There is so much celebration and anticipation, family good will and friendly exchange that its absence is keenly felt. I am fortunate because I can look to a tradition that may not be apparent to most people.
The 12th night of Christmas is the official start of the carnival season in New Orleans and a few other places. From that night through the day before Lent, life is celebrated with fun, food and friends. It is a way of saying, "Life is good and God has blessed us."
While there are those who go to excess, that is not the norm. Families gather, workers share king cake, talk is of parties, masked balls and eventually, parades. Of course, food is ever present at all these.
The Incarnation event is a source of hope & joy and it should be made a part of our life. So enjoy some good food, good friends & family. There should be a difference because of the Christmas we just celebrated.

SO, let me hear from you. How will you prepare yourself during this time to be ready to say "Farewell to Meat" ( the meaning of "carnival.")
What will you and your family do to celebrate the life God has given us? How can your work atmosphere reflect the joy of Christ-with us?