Pastoral Messages

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

I encourage you to take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Season of Lent.

It is a joyful and wonderous Sacrament. I have heard the confession of dozens of young people over the last month and, while most of them entered with nervousness and apprehension, they all left having experienced the mercy and love of God. Most of them left with big smiles! Some have literally jumped for joy! The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a remarkable gift from God for all ages that brings us grace and peace, a feeling of having a great burden lifted off our hearts, and a closeness to God that is healing and lifegiving.

It really is a special and valuable experience of the love and Grace of God.

There are lots of opportunities. I will be hearing the Confessions of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at our School over the next couple of weeks.

I will be available for confessions:

Mondays - 8:45 am until 9:15 am
Thursdays during Lent from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm during the Exposition and Adoration of the Eucharist (Mass follows at 6 pm)
Saturdays - 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm

On Wednesday, April 2, as part of the Diocesan Day of Penance and Mercy, I will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Rita:

7:00 am – 10:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Do not let nervousness or apprehension stop you. When you come, I promise I will be compassionate, thoughtful, helpful, and respectful. It will increase your hope!

Please make the Sacrament of Reconciliation a part of your Lenten Journey.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
~Fr. Tim

An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - March 30, 2025

“Do You Believe In The Son Of Man?”

Our readings for this Sunday are united by the themes of light vs. darkness—what God sees contrasted with what man cannot see, at least not without God's grace and inspiration.

Our first reading (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13) continues our journey through Salvation history. This Sunday, we hear of the anointing of the young shepherd boy David as King of Israel. God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse saying that he would anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next King of Israel. Samuel met seven of Jesse’s sons, but God rejected all of them. Then, finally, the youngest son David, the shepherd, was presented and God said, “There—anoint him, for this is the one.” God saw what Samuel could not see. God looked into the heart and chose the ruddy youth David. Samuel anointed him to be the new King of Israel. “Not as man sees does God see”.

In our Epistle reading (Ephesians 5:8-14), Saint Paul reminds us that we have had our spiritual sight restored in Christ Jesus through our Baptism - we are no longer in darkness but are “children of the light in the Lord.” This brings certain responsibilities and expectations. Paul writes, “Live as children of the light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth . . . Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness.”

Our Gospel reading (John 9:1-41) is the story of Jesus healing the man blind from birth. Jesus healed the man with spittle and dust (clay), similar to God at creation, who formed man from His spittle and the dust of the earth. This blind man, in his healing, walks a similar journey as last week’s Gospel story of the Woman at the Well. First, Jesus is just “a man”, then Jesus is “a prophet”. Finally, Jesus asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?’” He said, “I do believe, Lord.” This is a story about spiritual blindness vs. physical blindness. It is representative of our Baptism. The blind man sees completely, but the Pharisees, though they can see physically, are still blind spiritually.

In this Gospel story, physical blindness can be seen as spiritual blindness. Its healing can be seen as the influence of the Holy Spirit in Baptism. Even though we see the world around us with our eyes, without God's grace, we are still in darkness. Grace gives the eyes of our soul the ability to see God, to know God, and to share God with others. As Saint Paul tells us, we must "Live as children of the light."

www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033025-YearA.cfm

Practice of the Presence of God - Friday, March 28 from 1-2 pm in church
Topics with Fr. Tim - Mondays at 9:30 am or 6:30 pm; March 10 - April 7
Soup Suppers and Presentations - Tuesdays, March 11- April 8; 6 pm and 6:45 pm
Friday Fish Dinners - 5-6:30 pm; March 7 - April 11
Guided Stations of the Cross - Fridays from March 7 - April 11 at 5 pm in church
Game Nights - Fridays, March 7 - April 11 from 5-8 pm in Room 1

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