News - March 2019 RSS Feed

Dear friends in Christ,
This weekend we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, from the Latin word “rejoice.” It is a day of joy in the midst of the penitential season of Lent, much like Gaudete Sunday is in the third week of Advent. It’s not quite Easter yet (we still have no Gloria or Alleluia at Mass), but it lets us know that our journey is at the halfway point. Keep the faith! It’s also the second scrutiny for our Elect at the 9 a.m. Mass as they make their way to the waters of baptism. Please remember to keep them and our Candidates for Full Communion in your prayers.

Dear friends in Christ,
On this 3rd Sunday of Lent we hear what I would call a “cryptic” parable about a fig tree that won’t blossom. The orchard owner is of the mind to cut it down, but the gardener succeeds in buying more time for the fruit to show forth. If not, then he’ll relent to his master’s wish and cut it down. Strange isn’t it? (If you are attending the 9 a.m. Mass today with our RCIA catechumens, you’ll hear a different passage from St. John about the woman at the well.)

Dear friends in Christ,
I trust the Spring Break that many of you enjoyed this past week was a good one. It is important to take those periodic breaks to recharge and refresh our bodies and minds. In a way, Lent is kind of a “spring break” for our spiritual souls as well. We “break” from sin (hopefully for good!) and refresh ourselves in God’s mercy and grace. It’s a time to slow down and recognize that there is something bigger going on here than just our own wants and desires. The dying to self and sin results in new life within us. These 40 days will be over before you know it, just like Spring Break. Let’s resolve to use the time wisely so that we might better come to know the Lord in our life.

In January, leaders of Christ the Redeemer’s many groups and ministries, along with staff members and clergy, came together for a day of prayer, fellowship and reflection. Rev. Sean Horrigan led the morning and presented on CtR’s Vision 2020, a goal-oriented and prayerfully discerned plan for moving the parish forward spiritually in the year to come.

Dear friends in Christ,
Our journey of 40 days is officially underway as we celebrate the first Sunday of Lent this weekend. I pray that this will be a time of spiritual renewal for all of us. Please keep foremost in your prayers our catechumens and candidates who are in the "home stretch" for their entrance into full communion with the Church. We will celebrate the Rite of Sending for 15 of these catechumens at the 9 a.m. Mass this weekend and later tonight they will be received by Bishop Sheltz at the Rite of Election that we are hosting at CtR (one of four such services around the Archdiocese today). Our 15 catechumens and 17 candidates from CtR, along with nearly 2,000 others from other parishes, will makeup the largest group of new Catholics from any one diocese in the country.

Kerry Chu had a tough time when she first started college. Moving away from home and roommate troubles had her seeking refuge in Mass. It was while in Mass one day that she truly encountered the love and peace that Christ can bring to those who are struggling. Read her story online.

Dear friends in Christ,
This weekend marks our final Sunday of Ordinary Time before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, March 6. Recall that Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation but it is an important day for us as we begin Lent “branded” with ashes. It’s a call to conversion and a sign of our mortality – “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”