The ministry of reconciliation

St. Paul in the second reading reminds us that “…whoever is in Christ is a new creation.”  This new identity is found through the ministry of reconciliation which flows to us from God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  We share this gift through the ministry of reconciliation among ourselves as members of Christ’s Body. 

What a remarkable gift we have been given, but a gift given to be shared.  As we see in the Gospel of the forgiving father who strives so hard to remain in right relationship with his sons.  To the point of diminishing his personal wealth and standing before others, he seeks to show his younger son his love who initially fails to see the gift the father has made, so grounded is the son in self-absorption.  When he came “…to his senses…” indicating a right mindset, he returns penitent to his father who welcomes him back.  Still, he must engage his older son who now feels slighted and alienated by his own pride.  Even so, the father lifts the ministry of reconciliation as the greater good, holding it as the path to unity and family concord. 

What a message of hope for us in this Lenten season…to participate in the ministry of reconciliation.  With whom do I need to come to my senses, and minister to them in an act of reconciliation and forgiveness?  Do I need to forgive or do I need to seek forgiveness?  Both require humility and a willingness to be newly created in Christ. 

Let us use this holy season to honor the redemption offered by Christ through His act of sacrifice, and share in His ministry of reconciliation with others.

 

Note:  Next Sunday, April 6, The Fifth Sunday of Lent, those preparing to enter the Church at the Easter Vigil will join us for the 10 am Mass and the “Scrutinies”, a brief ceremony praying for their continued perseverance in preparations for the Sacraments.

 

Laetare Sunday – a day to rejoice

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is viewed with an eye toward Easter.  We are half-way through the Lenten Season and the Church feels the anticipated joy that builds.  Even the vestments of “rose” are a softening of the Lenten purple and lifts our spirits as we await the resurrection.  The old term for this Sunday, “Laetare” means “rejoice” and comes from the antiphon for the Mass,
 

Confessions and Holy Week

We continue to hear confessions at 7:30 am each weekday morning and Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm.  Two evenings of confession are also scheduled to help us all make a good Lenten confession:

            Tuesday, April 8 at St. Gabriel       7:00 pm until all are heard

            Thursday, April 10 at St Raphael   7:00 pm until all are heard

 

The Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday) will be celebrated at both churches

            St. Raphael the Archangel                                               St. Gabriel the Archangel

Holy Thursday, April 17     7:00 pm                                  Holy Thursday, April 17     7:00 pm

Church will remain open until Midnight                           Church will remain open until Midnight

Good Friday, April 18     5:30 pm                                     Good Friday, April 18       Stations at Noon

                                                                                                            Passion Service 3:00 pm

Holy Saturday, April 19     8:00 pm                                   Holy Saturday, April 19     8:00 pm

Easter Sunday     7:00 and 9 am                                         Easter Sunday    6:30 , 8:00, 10:00 am

                                                                                                            and yes, 5:30 pm Mass on Easter

 

I hope as many as possible will make every effort to join us for some of the Triduum, significant days in the Church’s calendar and celebrations of the redemptive act of Jesus Christ our Savior.