Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Laetare Sunday! Rejoice!
We have reached the halfway point of Lent!  You will notice the rose-colored vestments at Mass. Also, in Lent the church requires less use of the organ with our singing at Mass, but today more (but still moderate) use of the organ is allowed.  Today teaches us that even in the midst of the desert there is an oasis.  As we journey with our Lord for forty days, He gives us consolations to carry on toward the goal of Easter, toward our ultimate goal of Heaven.
Hopefully we are all learning to trust in the Lord more. Keep persevering through the desert.  It is the perseverance, even through failure and struggle, that helps us trust - that gives God more of an opening to work His grace in us.  Remember too that Lent leads us to deeper charity.  How about spiritual and corporal works of mercy?  Let’s make sure those are on our list too as we journey together through this holy season. 

Final Official Synod Listening Sessions
Thank you to all who have participated thus far in the prayer and listening sessions.  They have gone quite well I think.  This prayerful process of discernment will officially end at the end of the month, but that simply means that is the deadline to turn in any summaries to the diocese.  We could choose to continue these sessions in order to help us move forward, journeying together.  So, for those who would like to participate (or participate again) there will be a session immediately following this weekend’s 4:30, 8am, and 11:30am Masses.  And a final session will be on Tuesday Mar. 29 from 6-7:15pm

New Process for Distribution of Holy Communion - Trial Period
My hope is this way of coming forward is helpful for people to reverently and prayerfully encounter our Lord in Holy Communion.  I am glad to hear any of your reflections or comments on this new process. Again, this is a trial period. At Easter we will return to the previous pattern.  We can then discern if we should incorporate this at any point in the future. 

Church Security
Security for our church building is important. Even more important is the safety of all who participate in parish life on our campus.  Most of the time we lock the church unless there is Mass or some other public prayer service.  The one exception was on Tuesdays from 7:30-3pm in order to have some time for people to come and visit the Lord for a holy hour.  Sadly, we need to start locking the church on Tuesdays as well.  There have not been any major incidents, but I think we are pushing our luck.  Furthermore, we now have more young families and high school students in the school building, which can be accessed from the Church. As of now there is no other way of securing the school without locking the church. We will be looking at some options in order to open the church more while still securing the rest of the building.  I am sorry if this affects anyone who wishes to come pray on Tuesdays.  However, if there are people who want a regular prayer group to meet in the church during the week (not only on Tuesdays) that is possible, but folks will have to work that out with our rectory staff to let the group into the church.  Again, I am sorry for any inconvenience, and I very much desire to leave our church open every day for people to visit, but we have to be mindful of proper safety as well.

Monday Night Lenten Holy Hours
Each week has been for a particular intention. Each Holy Hour will begin at 6pm and conclude with Solemn Benediction. 
            Mar 6 - Pope Francis and the Universal Church
            Mar 13 - Bishop Malesic and the Diocese Cleveland
            Mar 21 - Parish of St. Paul
            Mar 28 - Unity in the Church
            Apr  4  - Deeper Reverence in the Liturgy

Confession Opportunities
Lent is word that means spring.  It is a time then for spring cleaning.  That means spiritual spring cleaning of the soul.  Here are the extra opportunities coming up:
At St. Paul’s Thursdays of Lent from 6-7pm

Cluster Parish confessions: 5-6pm on:
            Mar 29 at St Paul Parish
            April 4 at St Francis de Sales Parish

Happy Laetare Sunday and Happy Lent!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr