The Fourth Sunday of Lent – March 19, 2023
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March 18, 2023The Fourth Sunday of Lent – March 19, 2023
Isaiah 66:10,11; Psalm 121:1 Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristia fuistis: ut exsultetis, et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae. Laetatus sum in his, quae dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus. Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord.
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
On behalf of the parish, I thank all who have begun to increase their weekly donation to the parish at the offertory. This collection at each Sunday Mass goes to support the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ here at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. As the bread and wine are offered up in preparation for the renewal of the offering of the Lord on the Cross for us, we make a sacrificial donation as a sign of our solidarity with the Lord of Love. He gave His all for us and His Church. We are called to do the same.
In addition, I thank those who have already contributed to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. I spoke at all the Masses a few weeks ago about this important campaign, and you were given the opportunity to make your pledge or donation during the Masses. Rod Linhares from the Archdiocese spoke at all our Masses this past Sunday. If you have not yet sent in your donation, please do so as soon as possible. We are counting on your generosity, which will assist the work of the Archdiocese and our parish as well. We have been assessed $68,534.00. We hope to go over the goal like we did in 2022. To belong to the one percent club this year means a donation of about $700.00. A contribution of just $100.00 a month for seven months would make it easy to reach this goal. Those who can contribute more are encouraged to do so. Please do what you can.
Today, we are at the mid-point of Lent. In our liturgical tradition this Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, coming from the first Latin word of the ancient Gregorian chant entrance song or Introit, which is in both forms of the Roman Rite. “Laetare” means “rejoice.” Today, flowers are permitted and rose-colored vestments are optional. The Christian, who has taken the observance of Lent seriously, has good reason to rejoice. He has put aside his attachment to worldly things and pursuits and has slowly come to a renewed life in Christ. To be a Christian is to be full of the joy that only God can give.
In the ordinary form of the Roman Rite the Gospel about the blind man in John 9:1-41 confirms the depths of Christian joy. Inner blindness is worse than any physical impairment. Jesus proclaims the Good News: “It is for judgment that I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight turn blind.”
In the Traditional Latin Mass, the gospel is taken from John 6:1-15, in which we hear about the great miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, symbols of Holy Communion. The greatest hunger we have should be for spiritual food. If we are fed spiritually, then we will have the strength to carry on in the works of God. As Easter draws near, may we rise again with Jesus through good confessions and devout Holy Communions. May our reception of Holy Communion on Easter Sunday be a sign that we have truly died to sin and risen to new life in our Divine Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I remind you that on the Wednesdays of March 22 and 29 at 7:00 p. m. we will have 3 to 4 priests present at a Communal Penance Service to hear confessions
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
