Dear Parishioners:
Hundreds of people made their way to OLM last Saturday for All-Day Confessions. As the Lord said in the Gospel of Luke: “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” I am grateful to the many volunteers who greeted, aided, and warmly welcomed people to OLM. Also, I thank the many priests from across the Diocese who helped hear Confessions last Saturday. Some of these priests spent two or three hours in the Confessionals as there was a steady flow of people all day.
Last Friday, Pope Francis’ homily at the Ceremony for the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine spoke beautifully about Confession. His words offer a powerful message about Confession during Lent. He preached:
“All too often, we think that Confession is about going to God with dejected looks. Yet it is not so much that we go to the Lord, but that he comes to us, to fill us with his grace, to fill us with his joy. Our Confession gives the Father the joy of raising us up once more. It is not so much about our sins as about his forgiveness. Our sins are present but the forgiveness of God is always at the heart of our Confession. Think about it: if our sins were at the heart of the sacrament, almost everything would depend on us, on our repentance, our efforts, our resolves. Far from it. The sacrament is about God, who liberates us and puts us back on our feet.”
Over the next two Saturdays, the OLM First Communion Class students are making their First Confessions. It is a beautiful celebration as these children receive God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession for the very first time. Please pray for them as they continue to prepare for First Holy Communion in May.
Mark your calendars for two special events on the OLM Schedule this coming week. First, join us on Friday for the Living Stations of the Cross performed by our OLM Middle School students. This prayerful Lenten Devotion of Living Stations occurs at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It’s truly a wonderful way to pray and prepare for Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
Also, next Saturday night at the Quidnessett Country Club, OLM School hosts its Annual Spring Fling Fundraiser. This fun event is the chief fundraiser of our outstanding parish school and includes both a silent and live auction. You may bid in person at the event and also bid online. There are some great donated auction items to bid on, including Elton John Tickets, a week’s stay in a home on the Bourbon Trail in Woodford, Kentucky, Golfing at Shelter Harbor Golf Course, a week at a ski chalet on Loon Mountain, and a Chef’s Table at La Masseria. We thank our donors and supporters.
The Church celebrates Palm Sunday next week. A time when we stop to reflect upon the events which brought about our redemption and salvation. For Palm Sunday is the great doorway leading into Holy Week. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) offered a sermon about Christ’s entry into Jerusalem:
“How different the cries, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him,’ and then, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna, in the highest!’ How different the cries are that now are calling him ‘King of Israel’ and then in a few days’ time will be saying, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ What a contrast between the green branches and the cross, between the flowers and the thorns! Before, they were offering their own clothes for him to walk upon, and so soon afterward, they are stripping him of his and casting lots upon them.”
On Palm Sunday we recall that our Lord made His entrance upon a donkey while the crowds scattered their garments before Him and waved their palm branches. This lively scene is soon followed by betrayal, sorrow, and the agony of the Lord’s Passion. His entry is as a triumphant hero but soon Christ is crucified like a criminal. At OLM on Palm Sunday we bless palm branches at all Masses, and make a Solemn Procession from Mercy Park at the 10:30 am Mass. Let us prayerfully prepare to enter the celebration of Holy Week.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless!