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Dear friends, 

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As we enter more deeply into springtime and Lent, we are blessed to hopefully have some warmer days finally! One of the things associated with the spring season is Spring Cleaning. It’s not uncommon during this time to clean out closets, the basement, the shed or the garage. Some years back I was made aware of a Netflix series called “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.” In it, Marie comes into a house to help people get rid of the clutter. To determine what stays or goes, she asks people to hold each item up and ask yourself honestly, “Does it spark joy?” If not, get rid of it. 
Spiritually many people are carrying around unnecessary and burdensome baggage. Sometimes that baggage is unforgiveness or bitterness. For others it may be holding onto control (as if we could have control of life anyway!) For others it’s the weight of sin that God wants to take away. 

 

Recently I read an article from joyofdevotion.org called “7 Hidden Sins according to St. Francis de Sales”. It spoke of sins we overlook, though we, and others, still experience the effects of them. Here are some examples: Pride (being too concerned about what we want and the way  we want them, as if the world must revolve around us), making rash judgements or slandering another. It includes failure to be faithful to little things like being “on time” and following through in little ways. Other examples include not giving people the benefit of the doubt, especially those we dislike, while expecting it always from others. Also included is unnecessary complaining and putting people down in conversation. 

 

“Does it spark joy?” These sins zap the soul. Every Lent, Catholics are invited to declutter their souls by making a good confession. May we ask forgiveness for our sins and receive the new lightness of His grace and mercy this Lent! 
This weekend is the fourth Sunday of Lent which is also called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” I hope that we will be able to flourish with Joy in God’s love. 

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Join us in the many Lenten opportunities offered at St. Patrick: Stations of the Cross every Friday evening, Confessions, daily Masses, and our Lenten Mission this coming week.

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On March 28th we will have a Lenten Mission for the school children by Hard as Nails Missionaries.

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On March 29th we will have a mission for our children and parents. 

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From March 31st to April 2nd, we will have our 3-day Pastorate Lenten Mission in the evenings at 7:00pm. Mr. Paul George from Louisiana, an excellent speaker, will be leading the mission for our Pastorate under the theme of “Fall, Redemption, and Restoration.” I am hoping that this season will help us to rededicate our lives to God more personally and as a worshiping church community. Please invite other people to join us, all are welcome.

April 11th we will have our Tenebrae service at 7:00pm. This will help us to reflect on the seven last words of Jesus. 

 

May God Bless you always,

Fr. Francis