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5th Sunday of Lent, March 1421, 2021

Dear Friends,

The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on 19 March was a special occasion for us to remember and appreciate the crucial role that Joseph played in salvation history. Our celebration, which included a High Mass and some social time afterwards, also commemorated that most difficult decision to close the doors of the church on 19 March of last year due to Covid-19. This Year of St. Joseph has blessed us with the opportunity to turn to St. Joseph for guidance and offers the men of our parish an example of faithful obedience, particularly during times of difficulty. Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), is a worthwhile source for further reflection. We prayed a Novena in honor of the feast, and we will also be starting a 33-day Consecration to St. Joseph beginning on 29 March for five consecutive Mondays, culminating on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1, 2021. This program is based on Fr. Donald Calloway’s book, Consecration to St. Joseph.

I take this occasion to congratulate the Do family, recipient of the Family of the Month Award in January, Janet Jones-Owens, recipient of the award in February, and the Goff family, this month’s Family of the Month Award recipient. We are blessed with so many such wonderful families and, as I have often said, we are working through them one at a time. Thanks to all of you for making ours a loving and welcoming parish.

Once again, I extend my deepest appreciation to all who have contributed to Our Catholic Appeal 2021. I am hoping to increase our percentage of participation this year; hence, I continue to appeal to those who have not yet made their pledge to OCA 2021. Please consider giving in whatever amount you are able.

On this Fifth Sunday of Lent, we continue to draw nearer to Jesus on our journey to Holy Week. He invites us to reflect on the “hour” when the Son of Man will be glorified, reminding us that this glorification cannot come to pass unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, thereafter producing much fruit. Through his death on the cross, Jesus will bring about that glory in which we all may someday share.

This weekend, you might notice that we have “veiled” the Cross and all sacred images, except the Stations of the Cross and the stained-glass windows. They will remain this way until the Easter Vigil. Why do we do this? First, the Church does so in recognition of the fact that Christ veiled his divinity during his Passion. Other traditions include: in imitation of the practice of hiding/ shielding from the faithful during Lent the Altar (“Holy of Holies”) with “hunger cloth” (Hungertuch in German); to remind us that we are only two weeks away from Easter; and as a “fast of the eyes” which allows us more focus to contemplate Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Our eyes and our focus should be directed to the Altar and to our inward contemplation of the great essentials of Christ’s work of redemption.

Be Blessed!

With love,      

Fr. John