Dear friends,
On the 13 March 2023, Pope Francis celebrated the 10th anniversary of his election. We take this opportunity to thank God for his ministry. We thank Pope Francis as well for tirelessly reminding us that our true mission is to proclaim the Gospel to all and for inviting us to be a missionary church.
In his first major document, the apostolic exhortation "The Joy of the Gospel," Pope Francis laid out a program for his papacy, looking inside the church and outside at the world to see what needed to be done to "encourage and guide the whole church in a new phase of evangelization, one marked by enthusiasm and vitality." Commenting on Pope Francis’ 10 years of papacy, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, said: "John Paul II told us what we should do. Benedict told us why we should do it. And Francis is saying, 'Do it.'”
The most important characteristic of Pope Francis is his humility in asking us to pray for him. Starting from the time he first appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, he has never stopped making an unconventional gesture of asking for our prayers for him. No other phrase has been repeated by Pope Francis more than the seven words he utters at the end of almost every speech he has delivered since his election as pontiff in March 2013. "Do not forget to pray for me!" Will you join me in making good on the pope’s request? I propose that we pray 10 Hail Mary’s for Pope Francis on the 19th March, the day when his papacy was inaugurated.
We now enter into the 4th Sunday of Lent, traditionally known as Laetare Sunday (Rejoice Sunday). It is intended to set a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery. You will recognize a change in the color of the priest’s and deacon’s vestments from purple to rose. The sanctuary is decorated with flowers to signal this joyful anticipation. On this Sunday, we also notice that the catechumens celebrate the ancient prayer called “The Second Scrutiny” as they delve deeper into the paschal mystery. In these prayers, they, and we, ask the Lord to scrutinize and purify the hearts of the catechumens. Let us continue to accompany them along with their sponsors and those who are accompanying them on their journey.
On this Sunday, the Church provides us with fabulous readings from Scripture that invite us to reflect on the theme of darkness and light. In the gospel we hear Jesus healing the man born blind (John 9: 1-41). He tells us, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
St. Paul, in this letter to the Ephesians (5:8), says: “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” He then invites us to “to live as children of light.” What a blessing it is for us to shine the light of Christ on our dealings with the people around us! In the same passage Paul invites us to produce every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth and not to take part in the fruitless works of darkness. Let us pray that the Lord might open the darkness of our hearts and brighten them with his light, just as he opened the eyes of the man born blind.
Today I would like to thank Al McKenna, who is stepping down from leading our Social Outreach Ministry. He has led this ministry from the time our parish was established in Viera … we are talking about some 22 years of service. Al has been the contact and go-to person whenever someone knocked at our doors for help. He also coordinated our efforts to help the local NGOs (non-government charitable organizations) whose ideals align with those of the Catholic Church. He has been the conduit in helping to organize many of our outreach efforts, including: distributing foods during difficult times such as the pandemic; assisting with St. Mary’s Helping Hand food pantry; taking food donations to various food pantries; transporting volunteers to help distribute food for the homeless at Daily Bread; and organizing the Giving Tree for Christmas. Thank you, Al, for your splendid ministry all these years. Indeed, you need a break. But we will count on your wisdom and experience for many more years to come.
I also want to take this occasion to welcome wholeheartedly Pete and Cindy Lamonica, who will step into the role of coordinating the Social Outreach Ministry. They both have wide-ranging experience as social workers. Their passion and love for those in distress will help us continue to serve many of our poor brothers and sisters. Thank you, Pete and Cindy, for your love for our parish. I also thank the many other ministry leaders within the Social Outreach Ministry for your unwavering service.
We have been praying the novena prayer to St. Joseph since the 11th of March in preparation of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Although the date dedicated to St. Joseph’s feast is March 19th, it falls on a Sunday this year; therefore the feast has been transferred to Monday the 20th. We will have two Masses on Monday, March 20th: 8 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Please come and thank God for this saintly man of righteousness.
Please do not forget that on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 we will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 7 p.m. We will have several priests to assist in the celebration of this beautiful gift of Christ. Please mark it in your calendar.
Finally, in honor of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on Saturday, March 25, we will have a special Mass at 10 a.m.
Have a Blessed Week!
With love,
Fr. John