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6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 14, 2021

Dear Friends,

Please know that I remain ever grateful for your continued generosity to the needs of our parish and to those of our diocese. That being said, I invite you to participate in this year’s Our Catholic Appeal with even more enthusiasm. While we did meet our financial goal last year, we fell short in terms of participation, dropping from 46.6% in 2019 to 39.8% in 2020. Our goal for OCA 2021 is $278,208.00.

Your support and generosity not only impact our own Brevard County but also the “life-changing work and ministries of the Diocese of Orlando.” Please see the chart on the next page.

Ours is a busy parish! Please stay informed through the weekly bulletin or by visiting our website. The Lenten schedule has been published, and we will begin the holy season of Lent with Ash Wednesday on 17 February. We will offer three Masses that day: 8.00 a.m., 12.05 p.m., and 7.00 p.m. I invite you to be transformed by your encounter with Jesus Christ this Lent, by the depth of his love for each and every one of us. Might we simply gaze on his face and soak in the graces available to us in the sacraments. Please make note of the community offerings on all Tuesdays during Lent.

On this Valentine’s Day, we pray for those who are in the process of preparing for the beautiful sacrament of Matrimony as well as for all married couples. As National Marriage Week 2021 comes to an end, we salute those who live their married life with the dedication and commitment that imitates Christ’s love for his Church, also remembering those who face the many challenges of married life. This weeklong observance (Feb. 7-14 this year) provides an opportunity for the Catholic Church to “focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family.” The theme for 2021 is “To Have, To Hold, To Honor,” chosen to highlight the way in which married couples live and renew their wedding promises daily in the building up of the domestic Church in their homes. As we celebrate World Marriage Day on this second Sunday of February, let us continue to keep married couples and their families in our prayers.

On the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we focus on Jesus’ healing of those in need. He willed in his heart to heal the leper, and he was instantly healed. “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation,” Paul, in his inimitable way, invites us “do everything for the glory of God” (I Cor 10: 31).

Be Blessed!

With love, Fr. John