MARCH 10-11   FOURTH WEEKEND OF LENT   HELLO EVERYONE!

FROM FR. BARRY.   IT IS MISSION WEEK.   SUNDAY WILL START OUR THREE NIGHT MISSION.   FR. DESIANO OF THE PAULISTS WILL LEAD IT. HE WILL PREACH AT ALL OUR RESURRECTION CHURCH MASSES ON MARCH 10-11 TO GET YOU INSPIRED TO ATTEND IT.

THE TOPIC IS THE JOYOF THE GOSPEL; THE JOY OF JESUS.

We have a splash of rose or pink in the liturgy since we are at “Laetare Sunday,” the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Laetare Sunday? The name comes from the first word of the Introit or entrance antiphon of the Mass for that day: In Latin, the entrance antiphon (Isaiah 66:10-11) begins “Laetare, Jerusalem” (“Rej

oice, Jerusalem”). Or a popular song is used in a rejoice theme.

Laetare Sunday falls just past the midpoint of Lent. For that reason, this 3rd Sunday of the season has traditionally been viewed as a day of celebration, on which the austerity of Lent is briefly lessened; the organ is played, some special color is allowed about the altar, and the purple vestments of Lent, signifying penance, may be set aside for rose or pink ones. (Priest’s choice.) You’ll recall that a similar Sunday falls in Advent, called Gaudete Sunday, we have a rejoice theme Certainly our Mission Theme will follow this lead.

Laetare Sunday 2018: March 11th.

In the bulletin, I put a joke in my pastor’s column, so to add to the joy of the day. I usually tell a joke or two in my Laetere Masses, but I give the pulpit all to Fr. DeSiano this weekend. Nevertheless, I can send you another joke right here…

A Dominican, a Jesuit, a Josephite, and a Trappist.

An Irish Dominican, a Filipino Jesuit, an American Josephite, and an ItalianTrappist were marooned together on a desert island, having landed by parachute drop from a falling plane.. But these priests were soon met an angel flying by, in answer to their rescue prayers, who came to these religious and said, “Quickly, I can grant you all one specific prayer to get answered immediately for you, and then I must leave you.”
The Dominican quickly spoke up, “Ok! Anything?! Then get me out of here and into a church assignment to preach in one of the finest Cathedral churches of my language in the world.”  Poof, he was gone.
The Jesuit chirped in fast after that:  “Then, I’d like to be sent to a great Jesuit University with a fine library and a special teaching position.”  Poof, he was gone.
The Josephite humbly deferred to the Trappist to make his choice, but the Trappist said: “No, you first.”  The Josephite said to the angel, “I’d like to be sent to a big active urban parish with a large Black Catholic population.”  Poof!  Off he went.                                                                            So the angel asked the final priest, the Trappist monk. “Now, humble man, what would you request? In fact, I may grant all your wishes and prayers, since you waited ’til last.”  The Trappist said:  “Oh no, I’m good!  I’ve already got what I basically want right here, to be deserted on this island! This is what I prayed for just an hour ago!!   (your first laugh!)

The angel was really surprised, and wondered what to do, so the Trappist just said: “Hey, I’m a Contemplative Monk, remember?!  So, just leave me a first aid kit, a tent, a stove and fuel, some prayer books, some Catholic classic books and a Bible, and a fishing pole, thank you!” And let my superior know I found this good place for prayer and meditation!” (your second laugh! Or chuckle! )

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As I was web searching Joy of Being a Catholic, I found this blog from a fellow Mountie. (That’s a Mt. St. Mary’s, Md. graduate. ). I include it as the second half of this message of mine.   I am happy to know that 20-somethings are fired up about their Catholic Faith. It brings me joy. (Click on the link to find the original blog).

Joy  BY EMILY. (TheYoungCatholicWoman)

Recently, I have been gracefully blown away by the realization that my Catholic twenty-something friends and peers are changing the world.  They are young, vibrant, radiant people in love with God, who want to share that love with others through their various vocations.  Some are directly involved with “Jesus work” as missionaries, youth ministers, seminarians, and Catholic school teachers.  Others work the daily nine to five grind but then make time for God and others by hitting daily or Sunday mass, popping into the adoration chapel to say, “Hey!” to the Big Guy, volunteering, or reading up on the faith in their free time.

These twenty-somethings are sometimes told “It’s nice to see someone so young interested in her faith” or “I wish my son would take an interest in his faith like you. (WELL, WE’VE COME TO REALIZE THAT…) Building a firm foundation as a young adult is pivotal for one’s Catholic identity to survive.  Without this foundation, the changing winds of daily life easily sway a twenty-something to and fro, and usually it is to the temptations of the evil one and from the graces of the Almighty ONE. How do twenty-somethings build the foundation then? Here are four tools that I have found helpful to begin with… (to find the joy of our faith, even in our 20’s).

  1. SCRIPTURE

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” St. Jerome.

If you want to begin to get to know the details of a celebrity’s life, then you go to the biography section of your local library to pick up a book about them.  If you want to begin to get to know your Lord, then pick up a bible basically anywhere books are sold… even the Dollar Store.  The bible is the living Word of God.  It is alive with the dialogue of Jesus and his twenty-(and thirty-) something peers.  It is one of the sources of the Church’s rich history and tradition. It breathes life into the depths of our intellect and soul, because we can connect to the stories it contains, stories directly concerning our past, present, and future.  What a gift Scripture is for us! Don’t just wait for Sunday mass to chew on a passage.

  1. Sacraments

“When you approach the tabernacle, remember that He has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.”   St. Josemaria Escriva

You may not be able to celebrate all of them within your lifetime (sacraments), but take advantage of…Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation… participate in them.. actively partake in each of these sacraments, not just to go through the motions and recite the words like a robot..(there’s joy in) really devoting time and effort to Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation…

  1. Fellowship

“If you are what you should be, you will set the world ablaze.” St. Catherine of Siena

Having faithful friends, who are striving for the same type of foundation, is key as a twenty-something.Praying for each other, staying in contact regularly, and holding each other accountable are acts of love that bind friends together.Then, when possible, getting together for a good laugh over a pint by the backyard fire pit (my ideal get-together, obviously) will be as natural as any other day, as if no time has passed since last seeing one another.Keep each other in mind and prayer, and you will never be far apart. (there’s some joy!— jesus, others, yourself.

  1. one day at a time

“Prayer… is the key to God’s heart.” Padre Pio–Saint

Fellowship with fellow fellas is great, but don’t forget the Big Guy. One on One time with our Father is special. I was reminded of this as I sat in adoration alone last night, a rarity at my parish chapel. Looking at my God and Him looking at me, not saying much, just enjoying each other’s company… It’s a beautiful moment when you can sit with a friend and be comfortable in each other’s silence. Such was my one on one time with God.I have to say, it took me a good deal of time to learn to just sit and be with Him. Some days are easier to do so than others, but He delights in our time together.He delights in your time with Him too.

 

joyful conclusions

Using these four tools never ceases to make my foundation stronger and to bring me to truly fulfilling joy.

If and when I am able to squeeze all four into one day… look out world, a saint is in the making!  But seriously, we are all called to sainthood and holiness.  So, be a Catholic twenty-something, who is striving for humble greatness, and share that joy that sets the world ablaze!
EMILY

 

  1. BARRY, FINAL COMMENTS HERE—————————-

HAPPY LENT.   HAPPY, JOYFUL LAETERE SUNDAY—AND FOURTH WEEK OF LENT.

GO FORTH IN THIS FOURTH WEEK!

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