March 2, 2008
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, “Laetare” Sunday. As “Gaudete” Sunday is in Advent, “Laetare” is in Lent. The time of penance and waiting is coming to an end. This day is a bit of a reprieve from the rigors of our penance. Normally, in Lent, we have no flowers, today we do. Normally, we wear violet vestments in Lent, but today we can wear “rose” colored vestments as a sign of joyful anticipation of Easter. Normally, the music is subdued in Lent and musical instruments are used only to sustain the subdued singing, today the music is a little more involved. “Laetare” means to be happy and it is used on this Sunday because we can be happy that Easter is almost here.
Today the Church places “sight” before us. The anointing of David as king shows us that God does not see as man does. Samuel thought the other sons would be kings, but God chose the youngest and least likely. Psalm 23 reminds us that God’s “sight” is over us, providing for all we need. St. Paul reminds the Ephesians that we have been called out of “darkness” through Christ Jesus. And in the Gospel Jesus cures the blind man to show us that we are brought from darkness into light through the grace of baptism.
Because of Baptism and the graces of the Sacraments we have “sight”. When we are in sin our minds and wills are dulled and weakened. But when we meet our Blessed Lord in His healing work of the Sacraments, the blindness is lifted and we “see.” Those coming into full communion with the Church are preparing for the Easter Sacraments: Baptism (Confession, post baptismally), Confirmation and Holy Communion. In these Sacraments Christ reaches out physically as He did to the Blind man in the Gospel today – He will open the eyes of their minds – they will see because they are in Grace. We too will celebrate yet another moment of our “sight” as we are preparing by Confession and the discipline of Lent to renew our Baptismal Promises and make our Easter Communion. Each day our excitement grows and we are more prepared for this great moment of joy. Lent is a time for us to say: “Lord, I want to see – more clearly – the meaning of life and your constant presence in my Life and that of my family.” Parents, this is a sacred time for you to pray with your children and celebrate the Sacraments with them.
Fr. Fernandez writes in “Conversations With God”: “As Holy Week and Easter draw near, so do forgiveness, mercy, divine compassion and a superabundance of grace. A little while longer and the mystery of our salvation will be consummated. If at times we have been afraid of penance and atonement, we will be filled with courage at the thought of how short is the time involved, and how great the reward, a prize entirely disproportionate to our own little efforts. So let us cheerfully follow Jesus to Jerusalem, to Calvary, to the Cross. After all, is it not true that as soon as you cease to be afraid of the Cross, of what people call the Cross, when you set your will to accept the Will of God, then you find happiness, and all your worries, all your sufferings, physical or moral, pass away?”
*Tuesday, March 4: Penance Service at St. Michael’s: To help you find that happiness as you prepare for Easter, I have arranged to have a Penance Service for Lent. Make this a family Lenten Practice. The priests of the Vicariate will be here at St. Michael’s this Tuesday, March 4 to hear your Confessions and give you Absolution. We will begin at 6:00 PM with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Word, a sermon by Fr. Kotter (St. Mary, Shelby) a corporate examination of Conscience and then there will be time for individual Confessions. At the conclusion we will have Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
* Don’t forget next Sunday, March 9: Young Adult, College, High School and Junior High students and families are invited to make a pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey with Bishop Jugis. Tours begin at 2 PM. The program begins at 3 PM in Haid Hall. After a welcome from Abbot Placid we will have witness talks by Dr. Thierfelder and an Abbey College student. There will be praise and worship music and a Lenten pledge made by each participant. We will then go to the Abbey Basilica to begin Adoration of the Eucharist with an Outdoor Procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The program ends at 6:15. Everyone, including parents and families, is invited.
Diocesan Support Appeal: Today is our Pledge Sunday. Please make a significant pledge to the Appeal. This is the way our Parish Family assists the programs throughout the Diocese. We all benefit from this ourselves and by offering assistance to others. Thank you for your good stewardship in this.
Thanks for your good stewardship of God’s blessings to you. I am seeing growing participation of our many groups and individuals working together for the good of our parish family. How good it is to see people supporting and participating in the activities of other groups in the parish. We are one family and we need always to encourage each other in showing our gratitude to God for His many blessings. Thank you for making such good efforts.
In the bulletin this week is the Schedule for Holy Week. I have added Confession times in the morning and evening to assist you in making your Easter Duty. Be sure to make your “Easter Baskets” for your Easter meal. We are also including in the Bulletin today a copy of the instruction sheet we mailed to everyone. The Blessing will be on Holy Saturday at 10 AM in the Church. Bring your family and friends as we prepare to celebrate Easter.
May our Lord bless you and may our Lady keep you in her care.
With my prayers,
Fr. Arnsparger