I hope it's a good sign that some of the words that are sung over and over again in the song "Change Me" that played at the beginning and end of my homily last weekend, continue to echo in my mind (and I hope, some in yours as well). All of us would benefit and be blessed if we prayed the words "Change me, change me, God won't you change," our whole life long. Until the moment we breathe our last, God is ready to "Change Us" for the better. At the beginning of last Sunday's Gospel story of the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36), we were told that Jesus "changed in appearance" while He was praying. After the experience of the Transfiguration, the apostles Peter, James and John were, no doubt, changed in the way they saw and listened to Jesus. We, too, can be changed by Jesus, especially during and after the times that we pray.
This coming Friday into Saturday morning, holds a special opportunity for prayer and change in many people as we are urged by our Holy Father Pope Francis to join Cathoics throughout the world in prayer during a 24-hour period starting with morning Mass on First Friday, March 4, at 9:00 a.m. and ending with First Saturday Mass at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5. Jesus said: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20). Can you imagine how many blessings will come when countless people gather in unison on the same day for prayer throughout the world. Won't you be one of them, whether it's for a few minutes or a whole hour sometime during the twenty-four hour period that's been designated by our Holy Father. Jesus will be present in the Monstrance in our church all day that Friday and in the Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel after the Stations of the Cross (which starts at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in church) until morning. If you need the code to get into the church in the evening or overnight hours, ask me or one of our evening or overnight adorers. Also, PLEASE NOTE that I and/or Father Mike will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with anyone individually every other hour starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. I pray the Lord will lead some of us during our time of prayer to encounter His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. No doubt some, or even much, change will happen in those who receive this Sacrament.
Please note that our Lenten Reconciliation Service will be happening here on St. Patrick's Day evening, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. There's a song called "Love is in the Air" by Lou Rauls that some of us know. I believe "Change is in the air" and in our hearts during this Lenten Season and in a special way during this 24 hours of prayer for the Lord. Please be one of them!
This coming Friday into Saturday morning, holds a special opportunity for prayer and change in many people as we are urged by our Holy Father Pope Francis to join Cathoics throughout the world in prayer during a 24-hour period starting with morning Mass on First Friday, March 4, at 9:00 a.m. and ending with First Saturday Mass at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 5. Jesus said: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst." (Matthew 18:19-20). Can you imagine how many blessings will come when countless people gather in unison on the same day for prayer throughout the world. Won't you be one of them, whether it's for a few minutes or a whole hour sometime during the twenty-four hour period that's been designated by our Holy Father. Jesus will be present in the Monstrance in our church all day that Friday and in the Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel after the Stations of the Cross (which starts at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in church) until morning. If you need the code to get into the church in the evening or overnight hours, ask me or one of our evening or overnight adorers. Also, PLEASE NOTE that I and/or Father Mike will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with anyone individually every other hour starting at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. I pray the Lord will lead some of us during our time of prayer to encounter His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. No doubt some, or even much, change will happen in those who receive this Sacrament.
Please note that our Lenten Reconciliation Service will be happening here on St. Patrick's Day evening, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. There's a song called "Love is in the Air" by Lou Rauls that some of us know. I believe "Change is in the air" and in our hearts during this Lenten Season and in a special way during this 24 hours of prayer for the Lord. Please be one of them!