We now enter into Holy Week, a sacred time where we focus on the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I would encourage to make these days truly sacred and carve out some time on Thursday – Sunday for prayer and reflection.
The Equality Act was passed recently by the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate. What should we know as Catholics? Catholics should be very concerned with this piece of legislation for numerous reasons.
Soon, the calendar will turn to February, which means Lent is just around the corner. This also means it is the time of year when I will ask you to make a gift to the Annual Appeal in support of the many charitable works of our Archdiocese.
January 22nd was the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn, and marked the sad 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It is more important than ever that every Catholic has a pro-life heart filled with prayer. On Friday, January 29th the parish will come together for a simple morning to pray for an end to abortion. All are invited and please consider attending!
Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday in Ordinary time. Next week we will begin the Holy Season of Advent. It would be good to take some time this week to make some spiritual plans and goals regarding this Holy Season the Church gives us.
Starting November 7, the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed on Sunday from 7:00am - 6:30pm, to allow parishioners to use the front entrance for Mass. Communion will continue to be distributed outdoors. Those outside will receive communion at approximately the same time as those inside the church.
This has also been the most joyful 4 months in my life, and it is amazing to think that it has already been 4 months, it feels like it has only been one.
I pray this finds you well in what has been a very unusual fiscal year in the life of Saint John Neumann Parish. I want to thank all of you who have been so generous and helped keep the parish in good financial standing over the year.
The Assumption of Mary falls each year on August 15th. Although it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, we will have two Masses offered to celebrate the feast and to honor our Lady - Friday, August 14th at 5:30 pm & Saturday, August 15th at 9:00 am.