February 24, 2008
Dear Parishioners,
The Israelites doubted God at Massah and Meribah in the desert. They had been freed from slavery; they had been protected from the Egyptian army; God was providing everything, but the people “hardened” their hearts and “tested” God. Still, He gave them water to drink as He (God) stood before Moses and instructed Moses to strike the rock. Water flowed in abundance. St. Paul reminds us that God has “poured” not just water into us, but God’s own “love” into our hearts (this is Grace). This can be because we were justified by faith (which leads to salvation) and so are at peace with God. This “peace” with God comes through our Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone.
Each of us thirsts as did the Israelites and the woman at the well. Unworthy though we may be, God stands in our midst - He is in the Church. Through the Church, the living waters of Grace, God’s divine life, is offered to us. Lent is the time for us to “soften” our hearts and yearn for the “water” of Grace. As we discipline ourselves we let go of the distracting attachments we have developed so that we can make room for God’s grace. If we are sated, filled with everything of this world and our own desires, there is no room for God. Let us continue to empty ourselves of being self-absorbed so that there is room for God’s Grace to be poured into our hearts. Then our hearts will overflow with the love and joy of the Easter Season.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent are the days for the “Scrutinies”. We “scrutinize” our hearts to see and acknowledge the attachments to sin and the world we have developed so that there is room for God’s Grace in our hearts. Have our hearts become “hardened”? While these days of prayer the Church makes over those elected (called) to Full Communion with the Church at Easter are primarily to help them in their conversion of heart, they are also days for all of us to prepare to renew our Baptismal Promises at Easter. Let us look deeply now into our hearts. Let us yearn for the waters of eternal life. Let us open our softened hearts to the Lord Who wishes to pour into us His living Grace, His life.
Please pray for our catechumens and candidates who were called by Bishop Jugis last Saturday to enter into full communion with the Church and to celebrate the Easter Sacraments:
* Catechumen: Chris Dobbins. Chris will be Baptized, Confirmed and receive Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.
* Candidates for Continuing Conversion (already Baptized): Angela LeRoy, Michael Quinn, Jeff Templeton. These three will make their Profession of Faith that they are in communion with the Church, they will renew their baptismal promises, be Confirmed and receive Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.
I hope you are planning to be with us for the Great Easter Vigil at 8:30 PM on Saturday, March 22. This is the most beautiful liturgical ceremony of the Roman Rite of the Church.
A few dates for your calendars:
Saturday, March 1: First Saturday in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. We have Mass in Latin (Ordinary Form) at 8:15 AM. After Mass we will have a study session on the “Extraordinary Form” of the Mass. If you have a 1962 Missal please bring it along. I will have some booklets to help us in this session.
Sunday, March 1 and 2: Diocesan Support Appeal Sunday. We will have the pledge cards in the pews for you to use and make your pledge. Please be as generous as your means allow in this very important work of the Church. Our faith family has so many opportunities as a Diocesan Family to extend Christ’s work through the many ministries of our Diocese. Our goal is: $67,650. To date we have already received pledges of $13,095. This is a great beginning. Let’s have 100% participation.
Tuesday, March 4: St. Michael Parish will celebrate a Penance Service. 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 individual Confessions. All the priests of our Gastonia Vicariate will be here to hear Confessions. Make this a family Lenten practice.
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 is invited.
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.
May our Lord bless you and may our Lady keep you in her care.
With my prayers,Fr. Arnsparger