Ash Wednesday Services scheduled for St. Joseph’s and St. Bernard’s have been cancelled for this evening.

Ash Wednesday

7:25 AM St. Mary Magdalen

12:05 PM St. Mary Magdalen

4:00 PM St. Mary Magdalen (Distribution of Ashes Only)

5:00 PM St. Joseph, Rileyville

6:00 PM St. Bernard, Beach Lake*

Stations of the Cross (Fridays)

11:30 AM St. Mary Magdalen

5:00 PM St. Joseph, Rileyville

6:00 PM St. Bernard, Beach Lake*

7:00 PM St. Mary Magdalen

*Please note changes to Beach Lake Schedule

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 Since the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we have been hearing and contemplating the Sermon on the Mount.  Our Lord has outlined for us the manner and challenge of how we are to live our Christian life.  In today's Scripture, we hear particularly about "forgiveness”.  Starting with the passages from the Book of Leviticus and then St. Paul's reprimand of the Corinthians and then the continuation of the Sermon, we are made ever more aware of the necessity to forgive if we are to enter Eternal Life.  A big challenge indeed. 

 When we are hurt physically or spiritually what is our initial reaction? Immediately the person or persons who have done us harm are thought less of and perhaps we readily dismiss them.  One might say this is only a human reaction and so it may be.  But when we recall that our human nature is broken by original and actual sin we realize that forgiveness is reliant upon the grace of God working in us to repair and restore our own brokenness and thus prepare us to restore the rift.

St. Paul gives us the beautiful imagery that we are the temples of God and that the Holy Spirit dwells within us.  When we consider this we have to access what that "temple" looks like.  Does it glow with the glory of God's presence or is it shabby and unfit for the Lord?  Only a good examination of conscience can tell. 

These essential readings are a perfect springboard for us as we enter this coming Wednesday into the disciple of Lent.  With the imposition of ashes we begin the effort of restoring the beauty of the "temple" that God has made.  And a great part of the restoration happens when we implement the devotional practices of Lent beginning with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  In order to be people of forgiveness we start with our receiving forgiveness from God in this most comforting of Sacraments.  You will find in today's bulletin the many opportunities to journey through Lent and come closer to the Lord.  May we embrace these disciples that assist us in being disciples of forgiveness.

With Blessings,
Father Langan

February 11-12

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When I was an altar boy, very many years ago, I listened attentively to the proclamation of the Gospel, first announced in Latin and then by the priest in English. Two words which remained in Hebrew always caught my attention: “yot” and “tittle”, Since then, these mysterious terms have been translated into English and rendered in today’s Gospel as “…not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of the letter of the law shall be done away with…”. The meaning to is obvious. The “yot” is our equivalent to a period and the “tittle”, an apostrophe. Such little marks in the Hebrew language can and does effect the meaning and interpretation of the Word of God. What seems to be insignificant is of absolute importance.

I am not trying to get into an etymological discourse here, but rather appreciating the beauty of the Word of God as it teaches us how to observe the world and wonders around us, most especially as we relate to and perceive one another. No one and no thing is insignificant in the eyes of God. All has emanated from the infinite mind which we will never comprehend. We do, however, understand that God has indeed made all for good and it is our privilege to revere and respect that which is considered unimportant in the eyes of the world. This is the wisdom we hear spoken of in today’s lesson from Corinthians: to see the world as God sees it and to see each and every person as a reflection of the wonders of God’s creation no matter how broken they may be by sin or unexpected circumstances. Jesus Christ came to redeem us all, to restore the beauty of Creation. We continue His mission by the way we deal with the “yots and tittles” of life.

In ten days time we shall be entering the Holy Season of Lent. Now is the time to make plans as to how you will enter into this season of penance and preparation for the great and glorious season of Easter. Your parish will be offering many opportunities to enrich your spiritual growth. In next week’s bulletin we shall list those devotions that will help you make a fruitful Lent.

With Blessings,
Father Langan