I cannot describe how broken and angry I am, seeing this barbaric Russian attack on Ukraine. There are no words to describe my feelings! I truly believe that I am not alone with my emotions! We cannot physically fight this war for the people in Ukraine, but we MUST support them as much as we can. We are all united with the Ukrainian people, with Europe and the whole world, praying for an end of this senseless war and for peace. May God grant us HIS PEACE!
On this first Sunday of Lent we are invited to reflect on the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. The Church assigns temptation stories to the beginning of Lent because temptations come to everybody, not only to Jesus, and we seem almost genetically programmed to yield to them.
We need to confront and conquer temptations as Jesus did, using the means he employed. Like Jesus, every one of us is tempted to seek sinful pleasures, easy wealth, and a position of authority, and is drawn to the use of unjust or sinful means to attain these ends. Jesus is our model for conquering temptations through prayer, penance, and the effective use of the “Word of God.” Temptations make us true warriors of God by strengthening our minds and hearts. We are never tempted beyond the strength God gives us. In his first letter, St. John assures us: “The One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Hence, during Lent, let us confront our evil tendencies with prayer (especially by participating in the Holy Mass), with penance, and with the meditative reading of the Bible. Knowledge of the Bible prepares us for the moment of temptation by enabling us “to know Jesus more clearly, to love him more dearly and to follow him more nearly, day by day.”
We need to growing holiness during Lent by prayer, reconciliation, and sharing. We become resistant and even immune to temptations as we grow healthier in the soul by following the traditional Lenten practices: a) by finding time to be with God every day of Lent, speaking to Him, and listening to Him; b) by repenting of our sins and renewing our lives, uniting ourselves with God both by the Sacrament of Reconciliation and by forgiving those who have hurt us, while asking forgiveness of those whom we have hurt; and c) by sharing our love with others through our selfless, humble service, our almsgiving, and our helping of those in need.
HELP UKRAINE!!!
These are the ways you can participate helping people in Ukraine!
Spiritual support: Holy Hour Eucharistic Adoration every day during Lent, 3 pm – 4 pm. We will begin Adoration with the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace and continue with silent adoration.
Financial support: As a Parish we have decided to donate $10,000 asking you also, dear parishioners for your individual donations, whatever amount you are able to give. Please use the white envelopes and place the money in the collection basket or in the collection box (located at the back wall, behind the baptismal font).
Every act of love and prayer counts. Let God use you as His instrument of peace!
Fr.Tom
Latin Mass parts can be found in the hymnals: Kyrie-#857, Sanctus-#859, Agnus Dei-#863