Confessions on Saturday Afternoon at St. Ann
The priest we had lined up for confessions last Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. was fearful of the road conditions because of the snow squalls, and called shortly before the time to say he was not coming. Remember that I cannot do the Saturday afternoon confessions at St. Ann because I have the 4:00 p.m. Mass every week at Sacred Heart and the 5:15 p.m. Mass every week at St. Ann. I heard confessions last week at St. Ann from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and then had to leave for Mass at Sacred Heart. If you came for confession after 3:45 p.m. last Saturday, I apologize no one was there. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do when late cancellations occur.
Catholic Ministries Appeal CMA
I am concerned that donations of St. Ann parishioners to the CMA are coming in very slowly. I realize that the personal mailings to each family have been late. If you have not received your mailing, please take one of the envelopes from Church and use it to make your donation. This is what I have done. Don’t let a mailing glitch make
St. Ann look like it is not doing its fair share. Please join me in participating in the important diocesan work of the CMA. It’s important for the Church, our Archdiocese, and St. Ann.
Lenten Devotions
I will have Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Ann on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. during Lent (not Good Friday). I will have Stations of the Cross and Benediction at Sacred Heart each Sunday during Lent at 3:00 p.m. The Lay Presiders (lay men and women) of Sacred Heart will also have Stations of the Cross (without benediction) at Sacred Heart on the Fridays of Lent (not Good Friday) at 7:00 p.m.
The Light is On Program
The Light is On Program this year is Tuesday, February 27. As many Catholic Churches as possible will have doors open and lights on from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. At present, I will hear confessions at Sacred Heart starting at the regular Tuesday evening time of 6:30 p.m. and running until 9:00 p.m. We also have a priest who will hear confessions from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Ann. This is an especially good time to invite those fallen away to come back to the Church.
Vacation Bible School
One of the highlights of the summer for me is the one week Vacation Bible School at St. Ann. This year Sacred Heart will join St. Ann in our Pastoral Region VBS to take place at St. Ann. I am looking for Virtus trained and approved volunteers who will help with this joint program. I am asking parents from Sacred Heart and St. Ann to consider this your “home parish” Vacation Bible School. If you have not been Virtus approved, we will provide plenty of opportunities locally. For additional information, see notices in this bulletin.
Reflection on Scripture
The story of the Transfiguration is especially appropriate for the Second Sunday in Lent (Cycle B readings). This gospel story is paired with the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac his beloved son rather than disobey an order from God. He could not figure out why God would ask him to do such a thing; but he was ready to comply.
God never says to us, “Do whatever you think is best!” Rather God says to us of Jesus, “This is my Son! Listen to him.” In the selection from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, St. Paul asks, “Who has authority over us?” If the answer is anyone or anything other than God the Father and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God, we are confused. Only God transforms us through baptism. Only the Body and Blood of Christ make us the Mystical Body of Christ. It is only the Holy Spirit who gives life to the Church through Confirmation. It is God and God alone who has valid authority over us. All other authority is either derivative or feigned.
So if the Supreme Court says, “Abort unborn children at will” but God says, “Thou shalt not kill the innocent” who should we believe? If you are having trouble with the answer, here is the syllogism: “God is the omnipotent creator of the universe. Valid law can originate only from God. Therefore, when confronted with the quandary of human law that contradicts God’s law, Obey God!”
Readings for the Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 20:1-17
1 Cor 1:22-25
Jn 2:13-25
Theme: Jesus chases the profiteers out of the Temple