Fr. Tom’s Letters

HEALING MASSES

We have begun the tradition of celebrating Healing Masses when we pray for healing of all kinds. We began last year and parishioners found them very prayerful and helpful. We will have Masses for Healing tomorrow, March 23, at noon and 7:00PM. We celebrate two Masses to allow people to have a choice between a Mass earlier in the day and a Mass in the evening. During these Masses, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be available.

Healing is a great need in our time. Healing was one of Jesus’ primary ministries. The gospel is filled with healing stories. We pray for healing for people we love. We pray for healing in the world. We pray for many kinds of healings. We seek physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual healings. All are invited to bring their desire for healing to our Masses tomorrow, Monday, March 23 at noon and 7:00PM.

HOLY WEEK

When we return to Mass next Sunday, we will gather to celebrate Palm Sunday which begins Holy Week. It feels as if Lent is passing by so quickly. This Lent has been a time of so many events that have further divided our nation and brought the tragedy of war to the Middle East.  We pray for a cessation to bombings; we pray for peace; we pray for our military personnel who serve under immense pressure and risk and serve with great courage. We pray for those Iranians, Lebanese, Israelis, many innocent civilians who have become casualties of war. We remain grateful to the voice of Pope Leo XIV who is so consistent in his leadership. As recently as last Sunday: “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East, and of all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict: cease fire! May paths of dialogue be reopened! Violence can never lead to justice, stability, and peace for which the people are waiting. For two weeks now, the people of the Middle East have been suffering the horrific violence of war. Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all who have lost loved ones in the attacks, which have struck schools, hospitals, and residential areas.” May we be confident as we pray for peace that leaders of nations in the Middle East and leadership in our own nation would prayerfully reflect on the encouragement of peace proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV.

All this is happening as we enter this most prayerful time of our faith tradition. Palm Sunday’s gospel is the reading of the Passion, Crucifixion, and Death of Jesus. We hear of the suffering of Jesus, the fidelity of Mary, the weakness of the Apostles, the cowardice of Pilate, and the anger of the crowds. The Cross is the most identifiable Christian sign. And the great mystery of our faith proclaims that Jesus’ death on the Cross leads to the new life of Resurrection. Beginning with our commemoration of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday we will pray with great somberness on Good Friday and live in the silence of Holy Saturday before singing out with rejoicing in two weeks on Easter Sunday.

In recent Masses with families celebrating First Holy Communions and Confirmations, I have asked how families can best prepare for these wonderful occasions. I consistently suggest that attending Sunday Mass is the best way to prepare for the Sacramental celebrations. How might we prepare for Holy Week? A week from this Monday, March 30, the Monday of Holy week is now known as Reconciliation Monday. Confession is available in all parishes on the day from 2-4 and 6-9PM. Getting rid of your sins in God’s Dumpster Fire is an image of Confession I find helpful. Reconciliation Monday, March 30, is a great preparation for all that follows during Holy Week.

Have a peace-filled week!