Fourth Sunday of Lent.

My Dear Parishioners,
 
As we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day we also mark the Fourth Sunday of Lent. In today’s liturgy we find the references to LIGHT and DARKNESS. Of course this is to remind us of the light associated with Christ and the darkness which is associated with sin. We are also reminded about the sacrament of baptism in which one is illuminated or enlightened by “ putting on Christ.” Visioning as God sees is also a theme which comes through the sacred texts for this Sunday, “ Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”
 
However, the man born blind is the focus of the Gospel. He lived his life in darkness and confusion. Sensitive to the sounds and voices around him, he was attuned to the healing voice and touch of the Savior who turned his darkness into clarity. His sight allowed him to now distinguish on his own the things before him, things which in his blindness could have caused him great harm. This miraculous gift of vision is now viewed in opposition to the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees who challenge Jesus. The darkness in which they have shrouded themselves prevents them from seeing that Jesus is “the Son of Man.”  They decide to remain in darkness and as a result continue to do the works of darkness which will culminate in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.
 
We too remain in darkness when we embrace sin and make accommodation for it in our lives. In this darkened condition we move through life dangerously and with eventual doom. The light of Christ is restored to us through the sacrament of penance, when like baptism, our sins are forgiven. During these remaining Lenten days I encourage all of you, my dear people, to go to confession prior to the great festival of the Lord’s Holy Resurrection. All of us, men and women, children and adults, clergy and laity –all are being called from darkness into the light of Christ. Please know that every Monday evening during Lent, except April 10th; the sacrament of penance is being celebrated in our church from 7 to 8:30 in the evening. During Holy Week, a penance service will be held on Tuesday, April 11th at 7 o’clock in Saint Cecilia Church for parishioners of both Saint Cecilia Church and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.  (Please note: the penance service which is printed in the Holy Week schedule that was mailed incorrectly states that Wednesday is the penance service, THIS IS A MISTAKE!)
 
It is with great joy that we welcome His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli to our parish on a pastoral visit. The Bishop will celebrate the 10 o’clock Sunday Mass. His presence with us is a sign of his pastoral love for Sacred Heart Parish. Let us remember to keep the Bishop in our prayers that the Lord will continue to give him good health, strength, peace, joy and all the wonderful gifts which come from above. The Bishop will return to us on Sunday, October 29th when he will celebrate the 10 o’clock Mass and administer the sacrament of Confirmation to a group of young people of our parish.
 
God bless you!
Father Zig