Fr. Tom’s Letters

We are now in the heart of Lent and today’s gospel, the story of the woman at the well, is the first of three consecutive Lenten Sundays when the gospel passage is a story of a deeply personal, life-changing encounter between Jesus and another person. This week we hear about the Samaritan woman; next week we hear about the man born blind; two weeks from this weekend, we hear about Lazarus and his sisters. Reflecting on these gospels in a prayerful and reflective way, these stories raise important questions for each of us.

An element in the beginning of today’s gospel is that Jesus arrived first and waited for the woman to arrive at the well. We might prayerfully ask ourselves, “Where does Jesus wait for me?” I spoke about this gospel with my eighth grade students and asked them where Jesus might wait for them. One commented “in Church.” Another said at the family table when we gather for meals. Another reflected that Jesus waits for her in the morning at her bedside. We might pray with that question during this third week of Lent.

During our March Mission Mondays, we will read and pray with the Sunday gospels for the weeks ahead. This Monday, March 9, we will focus on the gospel of the healing of the man born blind. On Monday, March 16, we will focus on the story of Lazarus. These gatherings will take place at 2:30 and 7:00PM in the Church and include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a decade of the rosary.

On Monday, March 23, we will celebrate two healing Masses at noon and 7:00PM. These Masses will include the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for those desiring the sacrament.

On Monday, March 30, the Monday of Holy Week, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confession, Reconciliation, between 2 and 4 and 6 and 9 PM. All parishes of the diocese will be offering confession at these times.

So mark your calendars for the March Mission Mondays. Each Monday we are having special gatherings in the afternoon and evening. Join us if you are able.

Check the bulletin for additional Lenten activities:

Þ Clothing Drive Fundraiser (Saturday, March 7 only)

Þ Lenten Men’s Retreat (Saturday, March 14)

Þ Commonweal Magazine Presentation (Wednesday, March 18)

Þ Families in Service Breakfast Bags (Saturday, March 14)

WAR IN IRAN

The war in Iran is of deep concern for us all. We share our desire for peace. We pray that the war will be short; we pray for those killed and wounded. We pray for the safety of those Americans involved in the conflict; we pray for the innocent children, women, and men who become casualties of the dropping of bombs.

We hear the rhetoric, the strong language, the threats, name calling and denunciation that come from the combatants and leaders of nations. News reports in the media reflect very different points of view. Trying to know the realities and truths of this war is a difficult task.

As a Catholic and as a priest, as has been the case for many years now, in moments of strife, division, and tragedy, I am so grateful for the leadership, voices, and wisdom of our Catholic leaders, most recently Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, successors to the great popes of this century, St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. In my search for guidance about this most recent war, I am grateful for the words of Pope Leo XIV.  These are his words from last Sunday at his noon talk called the Angelus: “I am following with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and in Iran during this tumultuous time. Stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue. Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm. May diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld. And let us continue to pray for peace.”

Have a peaceful week!