Funeral Mass - Elizabeth Texiera

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Texiera on Monday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Umberto Salvi

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Umberto Salvi on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Funeral Mass - Linda Mundy

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Linda Mundy on Saturday, March 30 at 9:45 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Patricia Freer-Mazzetti

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Patricia Freer-Mazzetti on Tuesday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Third Sunday In Lent - The Cross

A few years back, a little change was introduced on Good Friday. The Cross is carried into church and everyone has the opportunity to reverence it. But first, the priest must remove his shoes. Remove his shoes.

As Moses approaches the burning bush, he hears a voice: Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is Holy Ground.   God who would save them from slavery in Egypt is revealed in a burning bush.  Now, God will save us from Sin and Death by the Mystery of the Cross. Holy Ground!

Twenty five years ago I was given a crucifix by my Pastor, Msgr. Paul Andrews. It says: “Why should you want anything else? I never did!”  “This is where you learn everything!”

I recently finished a book by Kate Bowler – a professor at Duke University – “Everything Happens For a Reason & Other Lies I’ve Loved”

She has spent much time studying the “Prosperity Gospel.”  Great spokespeople include Joel Osteen & Oprah Winfrey.

God grants health and wealth to those with the right kind of faith.

If you have positive thoughts, you will have positive circumstances

If you have negative thoughts, you will have negative circumstances

Prayer, then, is a way to get God to say yes to you. Follow the rules and God will reward you.   “I am Blessed.”

For many years – Kate believed this. Then she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. What happened?  She did not have enough faith?  She did not believe? Did not pray the right prayers? She did something wrong – well no – sometimes, bad things happen.

Maybe my dad – who went to daily Mass – and was very sick at the end of his life – did not believe enough.  Or my sister - who is now in cancer remission, and never misses Mass, somehow deserves what she is going through?

Nonsense, of course -

Having faith does not mean that bad things will not happen. Our bodies are delicate. Life is fragile. Things do happen.  

As Kate explains it – a reminder that life is precious – a gift to be lived each moment!

I would say – it is the mystery of the cross. We all share in the cross. And, at the core of the mystery -  where there is death, there can also be life!

You see - We are standing on Holy Ground – and by sharing in the Cross this Lent – by our sacrifices of Prayer, Fasting and Charity - we can transform our lives and the lives of others  -    Why should you want anything else, I never did?  This is where you learn everything!

Funeral Service - Gene Hunt

Father Michael will offer prayers for Gene Hunt on Saturday, March 16 at 3:00 pm at McHoul's Funeral Home. His wife Linda is a Leader of our Food Pantry and a very active Parishioner. Please pray for Gen and for his family.

Funeral Mass - Joan Schmitt

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Joan Schmitt on Saturday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.