Ash Wednesday Schedule

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Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule

7:25AM – St. Mary Magdalen
12:05PM – St. Mary Magdalen
4:00PM – St. Mary Magdalen (Distribution of Ashes Only)

5:30PM – St. Joseph, Rileyville

6:00PM – St. Bernard, Beach Lake

Message from Father Langan, February 13-14

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February 13-14

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

No sooner have we retired the poinsettias than we don the purple for Holy Lent.  Last year at this time the pandemic was rapidly spreading and we did not know what to expect.  As Easter drew near everything was coming to a stand still and sadly our churches were shuttered and we learned the meaning of virtual and live-streaming.  No doubt we thought by this time there would be a return to normalcy.  Well, we have adapted to the situation as best we can.  We grieve with those have lost loved ones due to the virus and console those who are afflicted.  Because we believe that the Good Lord can draw good out of every bad situation our faith has been tested but not faltered.  Hope ever sustains us.  The season we are about to enter, once again under the veil of uncertainty, is nonetheless a season of hope.

In special ways we affirm that hope by focusing on the Cross of our Savior Jesus Christ.  On Wednesday we come to receive the ashes on our heads in the form of a cross.  It is a double paradox.  Ashes are completely lifeless.  The Cross was the instrument of death.  But in Christ both symbolize a return to the new life that Christ gained for us by His death.  Our life has been recreated and restored though, with and in Him.  Our Friday stations are our weekly journey to Calvary so very reflective of the “calvaries” we all experience.  We cannot make sense out of them unless they are grafted to THE Calvary that has made all the difference.  Therefore we should make every effort to join in this penitential work.  Stations of the Cross are offered twice at St. Mary Magdalen and also at St. Bernard and St. Joseph.  Consult the bulletin for appropriate times.

Confessions are an essential part of our Lenten journey.  Your priests hear confessions every day before or after Masses and on Saturday mornings from 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM (noon).  That is when the light will be on for you.  There will not be confessions on Monday evenings since in the past years, hardly anyone took advantage of that time.  Many have preferred Saturday mornings which has been well attended.

Kindly be aware that on Ash Wednesday we will be returning to the ancient manner of distributing the blessed ashes (as has always been done in Europe and through most of the world).  The priests or deacon will says the words of repentance and sprinkle the ashes on the top of your head  in the form of the Cross.  Please come forward in single file, masked and six feet distance at the proper time.  May we have a fruitful Lent also by heeding the stipulations for fast and abstinence.

May God bless all of you on your Lenten pilgrimage.

Father Langan

Message from Father Langan, February 6-7

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February 6 – 7, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In ten days Lent will begin and we are reminded of Our Lord’s sufferings from 40 days in the desert to His Passion and death on the cross.  Lent is ordered to prepare us for the great and glorious feast of Easter – the reason Our Savior came upon this earth as one of us.  He came to set us free from our sins and restore hope to fallen humanity.

In today’s first reading we are made aware of the hopelessness and despair that afflicted poor Job.  He represents those who could not understand God’s ways and seems to fall into a dark hole spiritually, clueless about the evils that overwhelm him.  He longed for someone to redeem him and when he finally recognizes that God is God and he is not, only then is he able to ascent to the mysteries that perplex him and thus finds consolation and peace.  Job’s life is a power lesson us.

However, we have something Job does not, namely Jesus Christ.  He who knows us better than we know ourselves as our Redeemer.  No one and nothing else in this world in this world can ever bring the healing, mercy and compassion we need to be lifted from a Job-like despair.  Perhaps during our upcoming Lenten sojourn we may ask the Lord to help us realize this truth and finally like Job, give ourselves completely to His Holy Will.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Message from Father Langan, January 30-31

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January 30-31, 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On the human level we hear in today’s Epistle and Gospel the words “anxious” and “astonished.”  Both draw us into our human condition of both tension and excitement towards circumstances that overwhelm us or surprise us.   Needless to say, we have been living through very anxious times and just as St. Paul prescribes as remedy for the faithful of Corinth, so, too, do we need something to anchor us in days of uncertainty.

There exists and is awardable to us a very powerful source of guidance and introspection namely: Formed. 

For several years now our parish has engaged Formed as a resource for all parishioners to grow in a better understanding of our Faith.  Unfortunately, not many parishioners have availed themselves of this powerful and “astonishing” source of information.   Those I have spoken to about it are very appreciative and have reopened a great first from the many programs that are so easily accessible.  To sign up on our account, go to https:///formed.org and sign up as a parishioner.  To find your church or organization (i.e. St. John the Evangelist, Honesdale), all you need to do is create an account by using your email address and creating a password.

As the hearers of Our Lord in this day’s Gospel, we’re enthralled with what they heard from Him and continue to come to know Him more and more.  I highly encourage all of our parishioners to take advantage of Formed and please let me know your thoughts and insights regarding the continued use of it.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, we celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.  It is also known as Candlemas Day, on which we bless candles that are used in our sanctuary and our homes.  You may bring candles from home to be blessed or acquire the 2/box candles.    Candles remind us of the words spoken by Simeon (canticle) “behold a Light to the Gentiles and the glory of the people Israel”.  As we acknowledge Jesus as the Light of the World, let us pray that He shatters the darkness in our world presently and be the beacon of truth leading us to God.

Also this week on Wednesday, February 3rd, we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise (or Biaggio) with the blessing of throats.  Because of the extraordinary circumstances, the blessing will be given in general to all in attendance at Mass.  There will be no imposition of candles at one’s throat this year.  The grace of the blessing is undiminished.

God keep you safe from all harm and illness.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Message from Father Langan, January 23-24

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January 23-24

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today we hear of that comic and tragic figure, the prophet Jonah.  God sent him on a mission to his people’s sworn enemies the Assyrians and their capital of Nineveh to repent.  Jonah was reluctant and procrastinated (until swallowed and expectorated by the whale) until finally he did what God asked of him.  As an instrument of God’s powerful word the Assyrians repented.  However, Jonah was none to happy about their conversion and rather in a huff made it known to God.  Well, doesn’t God accomplish His will in spite of ourselves?

Perhaps we have been reluctant in heeding God’s call or procrastinated when it came to fulfilling our commission to make Christ known to all.  There is a bit of Jonah in all of us.  What keeps us from enthusiastically responding to God’s call?  Feelings of inadequacy?  Fear of rejection?  No doubt Our Lord’s first disciples felt the same.  He calls the fishermen from a life they knew and loved so well.  Sure it was monotonous and sometimes uncertain (remember The Carpenter has to tell the “fisherman” when to cast their nets), but Jesus was called to something entirely different, exciting, and challenging.  Though uncertain about themselves, they respond to Him immediately!  And that is the key.  When we think less of ourselves; broken, limited, wanting, and more of Him all things become possible.  Remember, Our Lord simply asks that we trust in Him, and then by His grace great things can be accomplished.  Jonah learned that; the disciples learned as well and so shall we.

I draw your attention to the announcement of the forthcoming consecration to St. Joseph.  This year we have a two-fold blessing both on the diocesan and the universal Church dedication to the foster father of Our Lord, spouse of the Virgin Mary and guardian of the Church.  In this year especially, past, present and future we need St. Joseph’s loving protection.  Join us in fostering a greater blessing to your families and personal lives.

With Blessings,

Father Langan