Remain Faithful…Live the Truth
March 9, 2021
May our time in the desert bring us closer to the image of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Next week is the mid-way point of Lent, Laetare Sunday. In looking at our readings for the weekend of March 13-14, we see that our first reading tells us, “In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people added infidelity to infidelity, … they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed that there was no remedy.” The Israelites were often a stubborn people who chose to go their own way rather than the way God wanted them to go. Aren’t we all like that from time to time? Look at the state of man today and ponder this: Is the anger of the Lord so inflamed with us that there is no remedy? We fail to worship Him (Mass attendance in the West varies from 3% to 20% per Sunday) and we legally slaughter the unborn. We hide behind these sins with euphemisms like “choice”” so as not to expose our sin and prove as true what Jesus said, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.” So, the question remains, is there a remedy? Our Gospel reading tells us that, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. “ So, yes, the remedy is to live our lives as believers! To pray, to worship and to love one another.
“… The readings today make us very aware that we are still sinful humans, called to grow in faithfulness and love. The first reading is from the Second Book of Chronicles and gives us the sad history that God’s people were unfaithful and finally taken from their own land into exile in Babylonia. The story does not end there, however. Instead this story gives us cause for rejoicing because God brings some of His people back to Judah, to Jerusalem, to rebuild the temple. This account from the Second Book of Chronicles is a pattern that is repeated over and over in the life of our Jewish ancestors and also in the life of our Church. We humans find it difficult to remain faithful. When we are unfaithful, God allows us to suffer the consequences and then, quite often, at least a remnant will return to the Lord. Then there is rejoicing! The second reading is from the Letter to the Ephesians and speaks again about our human failings and God’s mercy. “God, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ. It is the gift of God.” Finally, today’s Gospel from Saint John tells us “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him…. Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” Our hearts are hardened, and our ears are closed, and so often we do not listen to these words of the Lord. Even when we do listen to them, often we do not believe them. [So], on the Sunday of Lent when we should rejoice, let us open our hearts and listen to God. He only wants to tell us that He loves us and invites us to live a life of commitment to Him.” Fr. Abbot Philip Lawrence, OSB Christ in the Desert Monastery, Abiquiu, New Mexico. https://www.catholicforlife.com/homily-for-the-4th-sunday-of-lent-year-b-4/
Announcements
The Knights of Columbus will hold a second Lenten Fish Fry at the Becker Center for “Drive Through” service on March 19, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. It will be Take-Out Only. For $16.00 enjoy fish, french fries, coleslaw & ice cream! Tickets are available in the Parish Office, M-F, 9-4 and at the Bookstore/Gift Shop. Meals will also be available for purchase on site while the supply lasts!
Pancake Breakfast: The St. Eugene’s Pre-School will hold a “take-out” Pancake Breakfast from 8:00 –11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 21st, in front of the Msgr. Becker Center. A delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage will be brought to your car while you wait. Tickets will go on sale March 1st for $12.00 at the Parish Office, Pre-school, and Elementary School. Meals may also be purchased on site while the supply lasts. Thanks for supporting our pre-school!
Easter Flower Memorial envelopes will be on the vestibule tables at both entrances of the church next weekend, March 13 & 14. Please legibly fill out the names of loved ones and return your envelopes in the collection plate on the weekend of March 20 & 21 to be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. You can also drop them off at the Parish Office. Deadline to turn them in is noon, Wednesday, March 24th. Names received after this deadline will be listed in subsequent bulletins.
Thrift Shop:We are happy to announce that the St. Eugene Thrift Shop will re-open for business on Wednesday, March 17th, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.For the month of March, it will only be open on three Wednesdays (17th, 24th, and 31st). In April, the regular schedule of Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m, will resume.
Parish Office Has Moved: The parish office is now located in the old bookstore near the parking lot. New paint (donated by ACM) and new flooring and the moving of furniture will hopefully offer a welcoming environment within the new office. Office hours will remain the same, M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A big “Thank You” to John Kennedy and Vince Buettner for all of their hard work in making this new office space a reality!
Stations of the Cross on YouTube: For those who are unable to attend our Friday Stations of the Cross in person, inside the Cathedral, you can now follow along with us on our YouTube Channel. Simply go to www.Youtube.com and type in the words: Cathedral of St. Eugene - The Way of the Cross; for Spanish, search: Cathedral of St. Eugene - EL CAMINO DE LA CRUZ.
Parish Finances in the Age of Covid
As you all know, these are hard times for all parishes in terms of finances. Even though we are “shut down,” the bills keep coming in and salaries have to be paid. For those of you who have been giving a little extra each week/month, I really appreciate your generosity. For those of you who are unable to come to Mass, please consider giving on-line or the good old-fashioned way, by mail. Thank you and God bless you. Learn more »
Fiscal Year to Date:
Income: N/A
In the black: N/A
Thank you for your generosity!!
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