Jesus began his public ministry with the words “Repent, and believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15) Since that time the Church has never failed to call people from sin to conversion and through the celebration of Penance to show the victory of Christ over sin. During Lent the whole Church responds to the call of the Lord to be reconciled with each other and with Christ Jesus. The practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving offer opportunities for all of us to make Jesus’ call to repentance a personal journey in these forty days. But our call to holiness and conversion is part of the communal nature of the Church. Just as our failings affect the whole community of believers, so our efforts at Penance and Reconciliation involve and affect all the members of the Church. And so, I am especially inviting all of us to celebrate our reconciliation in one of the beautiful Reconciliation Liturgies throughout our deanery. You will find the dates, times and places for confession listed in today’s bulletin. Our parish celebration of God’s love and orgiveness will be on April 2nd. Lent is the time for all to know again the tender mercy of the Father.

In the midst of the Lenten Season, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th. A festive Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Procession, Blessing of the St. Joseph’s Table and pasta dinner in St. Francis Hall. The St. Joseph’s Table is filled with home‐baked goodies which you may purchase. Please sign up after Mass to bring something to the St. Joseph Table. Keeping with the meaning of the St. Joseph Table, all the proceeds from the evening will be sent to Guaymas and Tijuana to help the friars and sisters in their ministry to the poor. See the bulletin for more details.

Save the date, April 8th, for a special Lenten Drama: “St. Faustina and Divine Mercy!” This beautiful multimedia production of the life and message of St. Faustina will be presented by renowned sacred theater producers: St. Luke Productions. To help cover the cost of this extraordinary production, a $10 donation per person will be collected at the door. How blessed we are to have this world‐class show come to our parish! See the bulletin for more details and mark your calendars for this special inspiring play!

In closing, I do hope that you will take the opportunity to come to our Soup and Study Program on Thursdays of Lent starting this week. We begin with delicious soup at 6 p.m. and then continue with a presentation given by one of our friar professors from the Franciscan School of Theology. You won’t want to miss these inspiring talks! And don’t forget Taize Prayer and Stations of the Cross! How will you celebrate Lent?

Love, Fr. Vince