March 13-14, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We have come to Laetare Sunday, the half-way marker of Lent.  Even in the midst of Lent we remain joyful (Laetare) people because of God’s abiding love for us in spite of our sinfulness.  Of course, we are not meant to wallow in our sinfulness, but rather come to the Lord, Who is rich in mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Nothing gives a person greater joy than to be relieved of the burden we carry because of sin.  Even though we may have repressed them or consigned then to the deep recesses of our conscience they fester there nonetheless and dis-cease our relationship with the Lord and others.  In both the Old Testament lesson and the Gospel of today we are reminded of how easy it is to drift from God and His Holy Commandments.  When that happens despair, confusion, and grasping at the things of this world only brings disaster.

There is only one place that we may turn for redemption and that is Jesus Christ.  He Who was lifted up on the Cross, allowed that to be for our reconciliation with the Father.  It is that redemption, reconciliation and relief that comes to us in the Sacrament of a good Confession.  Next Sunday, there will be a communal celebration of Reconciliation with individual confessions at St. Thomas More, in Lake Ariel beginning at 2:00 PM.  There will also be additional Confessions in our own parish on Monday evening of Holy Week, 6:00 PM, as well as before and after daily Masses.  Please consult the flier in the bulletin regarding further times and places.  On Saturday, March 20, we will be conducting our in-house retreat for the 18 Confirmation candidates who will receive the Sacrament on April 22.  Please keep them in mind and prayer as they prepare for this most important encounter with the Holy Spirit on their journey of Faith.

With blessings on your Lenten journey,

Father Langan