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Can you believe that Lent is just around the corner? It seems like Christmas just came to a close and now we begin yet another spiritually uplifting liturgical season. I am happy to say that, although COVID brought our Lenten practices to a screeching halt last year, we will be able to resume some of our regular activities for this season. Some of our normal activities will have to wait another year: the Italian dinner, pancake breakfast, as well as Lenten soups. We will, however, have a Scripture study, adoration and confession, as well as Stations of the Cross. These events, their dates and times, will be posted on a Lenten calendar which will be distributed next week.
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With the reboot of these activities it is a reminder of what the Season of Lent is about. There are three main aspects: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Each of these elements of Lent offer us a means to grow closer to Jesus, to turn our attention more fully to the Lord and how we can better serve Him by strengthening our relationship with Him. Thus, we ought not to neglect them because, as I mentioned a few weeks ago in one of my homilies, that the stuff of our religion matters. It teaches us the language of God which is the language of love.
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In addition to these regular Lenten activities, I want to also introduce something new. As you may recall, in Advent I began celebrating the daily Mass facing the tabernacle (ad orientem). A move I made not to turn my back on you, the congregation, but as a way to lead, to focus our attention more fully on Christ during the Mass and less on me. Body language, posture matters. With everyone facing in the same direction it is indicative of our common movement toward God and eternal life. Therefore, each weekend, at one of the Masses I will face the tabernacle for Mass - beginning with the 4pm Mass the First Sunday of Lent, then at the 8am Mass the Second Sunday of Lent, at the 10:30am Mass the Third Sunday and so on. All Easter Masses will be celebrated in this manner. My goal in this is to make an effort to deepen our appreciation, reverence for Mass and help foster a more profound encounter with the Lord who comes among us under the form of bread and wine. As pastor I have the responsibility of aiding you in your spiritual life and this is my way of leading, showing you the way to Jesus. Not everyone is going to be "on board" with this. That is OK. I'm asking that we give it a try.
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Rosary Around Deerfield: The Knights of John Paul II - a group of Catholic men dedicated to reclaiming our families and our towns for Christ and His Church - will be meeting in the parking lot on Saturday February 6, 2021 at 9am, to walk the town and pray the rosary. Any interested men of our parish who would like to join this effort please meet us - February 6th at 9am. Contact Fr. Jon for more information.
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A new episode of Coffee with FJ is available - see the link below. If you have any questions or topics you would like addressed here, please email the office.
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Church missals are still available for purchase in the office for $15/book.
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CCD: All grades meet this Sunday, February 7th. Grades 1-6 from 9:30-10:15am; Grades 7-10 from 6pm-7:30pm. There is NO CCD on Sunday February 14, 2021.
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Rosary volunteers needed: Beginning in Lent, we are looking for folks who are willing to lead the rosary 30 minutes before every Mass. Please contact Fr. Jon if interested.
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Ash Wednesday is February 17, 2021. Masses will be at 8am, 12:05pm, and 6:30pm. There will be adoration, confession and benediction on this day.
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Take and Eat: The next meal will be served on Saturday February 20, 2021. If you know someone who needs a hot meal please contact the office.
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Adoration and confession on Wednesday February 10th are canceled.
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