Dear Friends,
We enter our fourth week of Lent walking on "Holy Ground." I pray that those of you who attended Dr. Joe Kelly's retreat either in person or by streaming found it beneficial to your Lenten reflections.
The theme of "Reflecting on the Questions of Jesus" made me feel challenged. Joe has an excellent way to help all of us reflect more deeply and often in new ways. Thank you, Joe for once again blessing Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration with your prayer and wisdom. I am also grateful to Parish Staff and parishioners from both faith communities who helped with liturgies, greeting guests and putting our materials for worship together.
Last Sunday we heard Jesus say time and time again we all need to repent. The season of Lent began with this call and to be individuals by our prayer who by fasting and almsgiving have hearts transformed.
On Monday of Holy Week we will have an opportunity to participate in a Lenten Reconciliation Service. It will continue to help us acknowledge our "Walking On Holy Ground." Concluding the service there will be seven priests available for individual confession. Fathers Mike Bausch, Alexander Bradshaw, Peter Clifford, Brian Cool, Kevin Mannara, and Ed Palumbos will join me in offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I am very grateful for their willingness to be present and share this grace with all of us.
The service will be at Saint Catherine of Siena at 7:00 PM in the church. I share this now so hopefully as you prepare for Holy Week this may be part of your week.
And, let us continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, in our community and all places troubled by violence. May the gift of Jesus Christ be acknowledged and renew hope and love in our world.
(Prayer offered by the Jesuit Refugee Service in response to Ukraine)
Our hearts are broken.
Broken by aggression, and violence, and the politics that
pursue power and ignore people.
Be with the people, Lord.
Be with peacemakers.
Be with those who are fleeing to safety—mothers, and
fathers, sisters and brothers.
Be with those welcoming them to safety.
Lord, we ask for peace, for healing of this brokenness, for
hope in a world that is strengthened by fraternal bonds.
To quote Pope Francis’ “FratellieTuttie”:
The arguments of peace are stronger than any calculation
of particular interests and confidence in the use of weaponry.
With faith and blessing,
Father Rob