8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parish Family,

As we prepare for the season of Lent and begin to consider our Lenten commitments, I would like to encourage you to read Pope Francis’ recent Message for Lent 2025. A simple online search will easily bring you to the full text, but for now I want to present you with a small excerpt to consider. Speaking of the need for ongoing conversion, our Holy Father writes:

A first call to conversion thus comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life; each of us is invited to stop and ask how our lives reflect this fact. Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone? Am I seeking ways to leave behind the occasions of sin and situations that degrade my dignity?

I ask you to consider his question. Are you on this journey?

This Lent we are offering many opportunities to make this journey together as a parish family, all of which you can find in the bulletin today. As your pastor, I ask you to prayerfully consider how God is inviting you to take another step on your journey. Perhaps it’s joining us on Friday evenings for Stations of the Cross, a light supper, and a period of formation that I’ll be leading. (Child care will be provided!) Or maybe it’s getting up an hour earlier each day to spend some quality time with the Lord before taking on the hours that follow. Whatever it may be, let it be something that challenges you to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Growth happens through stretching oneself. Lent is the perfect time to move and be moved! Let’s journey together.

Peace.

-Fr. Kennell