FORTY HOURS WITH THE LORD
“Blessed are the ears that catch the secret whisperings of Jesus, and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world.” -Thomas a Kempis
“Strive for a life of recollection so that you can hear My voice, which is so soft that only recollected souls can hear it…” -Jesus (Diary of St. Faustina, #1779)
Our Lord desires to speak to our hearts throughout this Forty Hours weekend. This is always one of my favorite times of year as for forty consecutive hours we come with listening hearts, grateful praise and into the quiet of adoration. What a powerful gesture to make this communal offering in the Lenten season. If you have never attended the Solemn Closing, come for the final hour of adoration at 2:30 pm this Sunday afternoon as we welcome the newly ordained Fr. Kyle Etzel as our guest preacher. It is one of the most sublime liturgies of our year and a communal witness to our Eucharistic devotion.
Congratulations to our First Communicants who recently made their First Confessions and now prepare for their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 28. Don’t miss the opportunity to follow their lead and make a good and humble confession in this Lenten season of grace. Numerous additional confession times are on offer. See page 6 of this bulletin.
A few items of importance:
+ Over the next few months, Nate Whipple, our Director of Outreach & Lifelong Discipleship will be reducing his hours and preparing to wind down his presence on our parish staff. Nate has been a tremendous blessing to our parish especially in fostering community and helping many to discover a home at Holy Cross and within the Catholic Church. As Nate shifts to part-time employment beginning this month he will focus on small group coordination, Discovering Catholicism (RCIA) and assisting with the hiring and onboarding of someone to carry on in this critical role. I express my deep gratitude for the many contributions that Nate and his wife Megan have made through their dedicated service of our parish.
+ Our Don Bosco Fish Fry season is off to a strong start with two successful evenings to date. While we take March 1st off so we can focus on our Forty Hours Devotion, we will be back this coming Friday from 5- 7 pm in Kolbe Hall. Thanks to our hard-working volunteers. Spread the word and plan to join us. Stations of the Cross continue as well each Friday of Lent as one of the fundamental ways we follow in the footsteps of Christ our Redeemer who shouldered the burden of the Cross for us.
+ One of the most important feasts that falls during the season of Lent is the Solemnity of St. Joseph which falls on Tuesday, March 19. Our Pastoral Council is hosting a Lenten Evening Reflection at St. Hedwig beginning with a Holy Hour at 6 pm which will be followed by a social in Guminga Hall. The theme is “Building a Strong Home in Christ” and it will be a great occasion for people of all ages to gather in company with St. Joseph and the Holy Family to be strengthened in our resolve to deepen our embrace of the Faith as families and individuals.
+ Planning for ART-A-WHIRL at St. Clement is well underway. Mark your calendars for May 17-19 for a wonderful weekend to rally in support of the Arts and to welcome many friends and visitors to one of our parish campuses. There will be many volunteer opportunities to lend a hand and help make the weekend a great success.
United in listening to Him,
-Fr. Howe