Pastoral Messages on Lent

Preparation for Easter

Palm Sunday 3.29.26

Sunday’s Readings: PROCESSION: Matthew 21:1-11; MASS: Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14—27:66 OR 27:11-54

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Holy Week – This week we begin a time so Sacred to us Catholics that it is called ‘Holy Week.’ It is true that as far as individual celebrations go, Christmas seems to overshadow Easter, but Holy Week is more than just Easter Sunday. …

5th Sunday of Lent 3.22.26

Sunday’s Readings: Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45 OR 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Spring Cleaning – This Friday, March 20th, was the first day of spring. Perhaps it is time we all did a little ‘Spring Cleaning.’ So many of us have accumulated much more than we need. It bursts from our closets, overflows our shelves, and clutters our lives to the point we even rent storage areas. Lent might be a wonderful time to deliberately release ourselves from the many “things” we own by cleaning out our closets and simplifying our lives in a prayerful and intentional way. …

4th Sunday of Lent 3.15.26

Sunday’s Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 OR 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

…from your Pastor’s Desk – Here we are, half-way through Lent 2026. And what a Lent it has been. If you are like most of us – you’ve already struggled with your Lenten Resolutions – perhaps you‘ve even flat out failed and fallen. Do not be discouraged – Christ Himself fell 3 times on His way to Calvary – but He got back up each time and so can you. Here are some special prayers to help you through this week. …

3rd Sunday of Lent 3.8.26

Sunday’s Readings: Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42 OR 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

…from your Pastor’s Desk – The Gospel Reading tells the story of a woman who is worthless by the standards of Jewish society at that time. Jesus has sent His disciples off for food, and He is sitting at a well when she comes to draw water. There is every reason why He should not talk to her at all. …

1st Sunday of Lent 2.22.26

Sunday’s Readings: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17; Romans 5:12-19 OR 5:12, 17-19; Matthew 4:1-11

…from your Pastor’s Desk – “Where have all the Flowers gone?” – A few years ago, it used to be fashionable at this time of the year in certain circles to say to people “Have a happy Lent!” I still do it. But I hope it does not overshadow the penitential season of Lent or make it sound just like Easter season which really is the proper liturgical time for great rejoicing. …

Palm Sunday – 2023

Sunday’s Readings: Matthew 21:1-11 (AT PROCESSION); Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14—27:66 OR 27:11-54

……from your Pastor’s Desk – Holy Week – This week we begin a time so sacred to us Catholics that it is called ‘Holy Week.’ It is true that as far as individual celebrations go, Christmas seems to overshadow Easter, but Holy Week is more than just Easter Sunday. Today’s Liturgy makes a diametrical shift from the celebration of our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the agony of His Passion and death as told in the Gospel of Luke. This day is an ‘Overture,’ if you will, of the days to come. …

4th Sunday of Lent – 2022

Sunday’s Readings: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

……from your Pastor’s Desk – Woof! – Have you noticed the way dogs hang their heads and grovel when they are scolded, wheedling their way back into good graces? To us humans it looks as if they are saying “I’m really, really sorry for what I did, and please, please, please forgive me. To make up for it, I will do any base thing you want.” Poor dog. And poor prodigal son in this week’s Gospel. …