An Easter Message from Fr. Paul
As we celebrate the joyful moment and mystery of Easter, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound significance of this sacred time. Easter symbolizes hope, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness; and mercy, love and forgiveness over sin and destruction. It is a time to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation.
In this season of springtime when everything comes back to life, let us come together as a community to celebrate the blessings of faith, love, and unity. May this Easter fill our hearts with peace, joy, and God's blessings.
I would like to extend my Easter wishes to each and every one of you. May the spirit of Easter uplift your souls, fill your hearts with warmth, and inspire you to spread good news in your homes and within your families.
Wishing you and your families a blessed Easter filled with love, happiness, and the presence of the risen Christ.
- Fr Paul, 3/31/2024
As we celebrate the joyful moment and mystery of Easter, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound significance of this sacred time. Easter symbolizes hope, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness; and mercy, love and forgiveness over sin and destruction. It is a time to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation.
In this season of springtime when everything comes back to life, let us come together as a community to celebrate the blessings of faith, love, and unity. May this Easter fill our hearts with peace, joy, and God's blessings.
I would like to extend my Easter wishes to each and every one of you. May the spirit of Easter uplift your souls, fill your hearts with warmth, and inspire you to spread good news in your homes and within your families.
Wishing you and your families a blessed Easter filled with love, happiness, and the presence of the risen Christ.
- Fr Paul, 3/31/2024
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a traditional day of Prayer, Fasting, and Abstinence.
Link to Diocese Lenten Webpage
A Message from Fr. Pawel -
As the season of Lent just started, Catholics around the world walk in a spiritual pilgrimage marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Among Lenten resolutions, other rituals and traditions that characterize this sacred time, there is one important thing that we all need to approach - it is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just like Catholic Times mentions in one of its articles: “One of Jesus’ key ministries was the forgiveness of sins.” The Sacrament of Reconciliation invites us to confront our sins and mistakes that we all commit every single day, whether serious matters or trivial actions that bring spiritual consequence. Every thoughtless word spoken in anger, every selfish deed committed in haste, every act of injustice – these are the simple examples of a bigger spectrum that we need to acknowledge and seek forgiveness from our sins.
Our Lenten journey as Catholics is the recognition of the seriousness of sin and tragedy that it brings. We are living in a culture that marginalizes or trivializes or even ignores the concept of sin. However, just because it is ignored or trivialized doesn't mean that it is not real or serious. Gossip and slander – negative information about others may seem to us harmless, but it can damage reputations, relationships and trust. Lies – the small lies or half-truths can undermine trust and lead to dishonesty between individuals. These are just small examples from daily life.
Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are called to reflect on our actions and to acknowledge the ways in which we have fallen away from God’s Commandments; and to express genuine remorse for our transgressions. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's forgiveness, allowing His healing grace to fix our brokenness and restore us. Our reconciliation and penance should be a sign of radical change in our lives and reach all areas that include, spiritual life, emotions, attitude, and our mentality. That approach should bring about an evolution in our lives and bring real change of heart. Let us never forget that “a broken and contrite heart God will not despise” Psalm 51.
2/16/2024
As the season of Lent just started, Catholics around the world walk in a spiritual pilgrimage marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Among Lenten resolutions, other rituals and traditions that characterize this sacred time, there is one important thing that we all need to approach - it is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just like Catholic Times mentions in one of its articles: “One of Jesus’ key ministries was the forgiveness of sins.” The Sacrament of Reconciliation invites us to confront our sins and mistakes that we all commit every single day, whether serious matters or trivial actions that bring spiritual consequence. Every thoughtless word spoken in anger, every selfish deed committed in haste, every act of injustice – these are the simple examples of a bigger spectrum that we need to acknowledge and seek forgiveness from our sins.
Our Lenten journey as Catholics is the recognition of the seriousness of sin and tragedy that it brings. We are living in a culture that marginalizes or trivializes or even ignores the concept of sin. However, just because it is ignored or trivialized doesn't mean that it is not real or serious. Gossip and slander – negative information about others may seem to us harmless, but it can damage reputations, relationships and trust. Lies – the small lies or half-truths can undermine trust and lead to dishonesty between individuals. These are just small examples from daily life.
Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are called to reflect on our actions and to acknowledge the ways in which we have fallen away from God’s Commandments; and to express genuine remorse for our transgressions. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's forgiveness, allowing His healing grace to fix our brokenness and restore us. Our reconciliation and penance should be a sign of radical change in our lives and reach all areas that include, spiritual life, emotions, attitude, and our mentality. That approach should bring about an evolution in our lives and bring real change of heart. Let us never forget that “a broken and contrite heart God will not despise” Psalm 51.
2/16/2024
Lenten Reconciliation
Thursday, March 14
1:45 - Student Reconciliation at St. Thomas
3:00-5:00 p.m. - St. Thomas Parish
6:00 p.m. - St. Mary's Parish
Thursday, March 14
1:45 - Student Reconciliation at St. Thomas
3:00-5:00 p.m. - St. Thomas Parish
6:00 p.m. - St. Mary's Parish
Holy Week Schedule
March 24, Palm Sunday:
Regular Weekend Schedule
March 28, Holy Thursday:
5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Mary's - Adoration Following
7:00 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas - Adoration Following
March 29, Good Friday: The Passion of our Lord
3:00 p.m. Mass at St. Mary's
6:00 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas
March 30, Holy Saturday: Vigil of Easter
7:30 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas
March 31, Easter Sunday:
7:00 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas
8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas
April 1, Easter Monday
8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas
March 24, Palm Sunday:
Regular Weekend Schedule
March 28, Holy Thursday:
5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Mary's - Adoration Following
7:00 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas - Adoration Following
March 29, Good Friday: The Passion of our Lord
3:00 p.m. Mass at St. Mary's
6:00 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas
March 30, Holy Saturday: Vigil of Easter
7:30 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas
March 31, Easter Sunday:
7:00 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas
8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas
April 1, Easter Monday
8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas
Click on the FORMED Page Above for Links to Several Resources for Lent
Lenten Regulations -
Abstinence - All the faithful who have reached 14 years of age are required to abstain from meat on all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting - All the faithful between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive are bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful. However, health and/or medical needs dispense a person.
May this holy season be a time of spiritual renewal!
Abstinence - All the faithful who have reached 14 years of age are required to abstain from meat on all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting - All the faithful between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive are bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful. However, health and/or medical needs dispense a person.
May this holy season be a time of spiritual renewal!
Fasting: Pope Francis reminds us of fasting that the Lord desires as stated in the book of Isaiah: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” Pope Francis: "fast from hurting words and say kind words; fast from pressures and be prayerful; fast from grudges and be reconciled; fast from bitterness and be filled with joy."
Fr. Dean, 2/19/2021
Fr. Dean, 2/19/2021