In this Year of Hope, this gospel passage may be the greatest way to enter into the hope of our lives.  As Jesus approaches us, many of us will say, “Lord, not me…I am a mess…choose someone else!”  But He says, no…come follow Me.  I know there are things to work on.  I know you’re a sinner.  But if you respond to Me and let Me do the work within you, I can make a masterpiece.  I can build My church on you!”  Each and every one of us can give Jesus many excuses about how we aren’t able to do this or that for the life of the Church.  And perhaps we are right, if we are only thinking about doing things on our own.  But with Him, all things are possible!  Do you believe this?  “Come follow Me.”  Surrender the excuses and start living life with Him.  He has great hope in you.

Lenten Small Group Study.  It is exactly one month from March 9, which will be the first week of our Lenten Small Group Study. We are inviting all parishioners to enter into a parish-wide time of study, reflection and prayer on the pastoral letter given to us by Bishop Malesic.  For 5 weeks, I am inviting you to center your Lent on this so that you can enter into what Bishop Malesic is desiring for you:  entering more deeply into prayer and a more intimate relationship with Jesus.  There are four sections.  The first three remind us of who we are and whose we are, and the final section gives great strategies on how to boldly follow the call of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  I believe this is best done in the midst of faith-sharing in a small group.  To be able to pray with it and then share the fruits of your prayer is what it is all about.  I am excited to see what the Holy Spirit will do with this in your life and the life of our parish community.  We will be sharing guides in the next few bulletins to help prepare you for this adventure.  Thank you for saying yes to this!

TVs in the Church and School Entryways.  If you have entered the school or church entryway recently, you may have noticed new TVs.  These TVs will help to share news within the school and parish, especially upcoming events.  This will better connect both communities.  Other information like baptisms and funerals will be provided in the church so that we can pray for those families.  In the end, we will use every means possible to get the message out!  Amen!

God bless you all and give you peace,
Fr. Jeremy