MARCH 1, 2020 • FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 902 East 9th Street • Hopkinsville, KY 42240 Saints P eter & P aul CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL Established 1872 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apos- tolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County. Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor [email protected]Rev. Fr. Michael Charles Abiero, Parochial Vicar [email protected]Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes [email protected]Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz [email protected]Permanent Deacon, Mr. Trinidad Soriano Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet [email protected]PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) 885-8522 PARISH FAX: (270) 885-5296 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stsppchurch.org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.owensborodiocese.org VATICAN WEBSITE: www.vatican.va PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 8:00AM-12 NOON • 1:00 PM-4:00 PM MONDAY – FRIDAY SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) 886-0172 SCHOOL FAX: (270) 887-9924 SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stsppschool.org Tru†h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio) Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: 270-886-6027 Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: 270-632-1037 Store Hours M-F 10:00 am-3:00 pm. SECOND SATURDAY OF MONTH 9:00 AM-1:00 PM MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish community are asked to let us know. MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening .................................... 5:00 PM Sunday ................................. 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español ............... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday ................................ 8:00 AM Wednesday ......................................... 5:30 PM Thursday (en Español)............................ 5:30 PM
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MARCH 1, 2020 • FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
902 East 9th Street • Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Saints
Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
AND SCHOOL
Established 1872
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apos-tolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County.
Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Trinidad Soriano Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet [email protected] PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) 885-8522 PARISH FAX: (270) 885-5296 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stsppchurch.org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.owensborodiocese.org VATICAN WEBSITE: www.vatican.va PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 8:00AM-12 NOON • 1:00 PM-4:00 PM MONDAY – FRIDAY
SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) 886-0172 SCHOOL FAX: (270) 887-9924 SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stsppschool.org
Tru†h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio)
Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: 270-886-6027
Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: 270-632-1037 Store Hours M-F 10:00 am-3:00 pm. SECOND SATURDAY OF MONTH 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish
community are asked to let us know.
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening .................................... 5:00 PM Sunday ................................. 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español ............... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday ................................ 8:00 AM Wednesday ......................................... 5:30 PM Thursday (en Español) ............................ 5:30 PM
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by anyone
acting in the name of the Catholic Church, (priests, deacon, employee or volunteer), please call the Diocesan Pastoral Assistance Coordina-tor, using the dedicated confidential phone-line (270-852-8380) as well as the Diocesan web site (www.owensborodiocese.org/safe).
† SACRAMENTS † † Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Wednesday at 4:30 PM. Confessions will be heard any time by appointment.
† Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class - Our next class will be Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 4:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office to register.
† Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date.
PARISH OFFICE Tom Buehrle ([email protected])….........................Director Of Stewardship Brenda Chaudoin ([email protected])....……..…. Parish Office Mgr. Libby Downs ([email protected])............................Pastoral Associate
Leigh Ann Johnson ………………….………Parish Assistance Coordinator Steve Kinnard ([email protected])...……….Maintenance Foreman Angie Phillips ([email protected])…………….....Thrift Store Mgr. Mayra Tirado ([email protected])…………Hispanic Ministry Asst. Sue Wassmer([email protected])............................Parish Secretary Dan Wilkinson([email protected])………...Parish Music Director
Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner who is ill or infirm may request anointing by calling the Parish
Office, 270-885-8522.
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in tak-ing hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament dur-ing the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. (Code required.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please con-tact Bill & Jenny Rush at 270-885-2888, if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer partner Available hours: Sunday 12am, Monday 2am & 4 pm, Wednesday 2am, Thursday 5 pm & 6 pm, Saturday 1am & 10 pm. Need prayer partners Tuesday 9am & Saturday 9 pm. Please help!!
School News Thank you to everyone who attended our Casino Royale event last Saturday night at The Silo. With your help and generosity, we raised $24,000 for our school! A HUGE thank you to our sponsors who are listed be-low. Donor list is coming next week!
Diamond Sponsors Courtney Hewell • Fred & Wendy Anderson • Solar Fields •
Among Catholics, only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are named as days of fasting we are to all do together. (ie Eat one full meal and two small meals if, combined, would not equal a full meal.) On Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent, we may want to try a more intentional fast, to eat very little, perhaps a small bowl of beans and rice. We may be sur-prised by how much more alert we feel and how much easier it is to pray. Not only will I feel less sluggish, I will feel simply freer and more energized. Fasting places us in solidarity with the poor of the earth, who often have very little more than a little beans and rice each day. Powerful things happen when we think about those in the world who have so much less than we do!
Practice Generosity: Almsgiving is an important part of Lent; a fasting from being UN-generous. This means more than giv-ing extra clothes to a place where the poor might purchase them. It’s more than writing a generous check for the poor. These are wonderful practices, but generosity is an attitude – knowing no matter how much I have, ALL I have is a gift, giv-en to me to be shared. It means sharing with those in need is one of my personal priorities; this is quite different than as-sessing my own needs first, then giving away whatever’s left over. Self-less giving is a spirit that one of my needs is to share what I have with others, and it takes practice. It also a reli-gious experience that places us in solidarity with the poor who share with each other, even though they have little. It joins us with Jesus who gave Himself completely for us. To establish new patterns of giving will give real life and joy to Lent.
Practice Penance: Imagine you sprain an ankle. It is tender and swollen. We put ice on it to reduce the inflammation, we wrap it, elevate it and stay off it. Part of the healing process involves physical therapy. And as it begins to heal, we need to start moving it, then walking on it and exercising so it will be stronger than before. Penance is spiritual therapy for the healing we desire. The Lord always forgives without condition, but full healing takes time. With sin or bad habits we’ve done for years, we need to develop a long-term care-plan so the healing can happen. Just saying “I’m sorry” or resolving to change a long-established pattern, without recognizing the problem and doing something to help ‘fix it’, has the same bad result as hoping a sprained ankle will heal on its own while still walk-ing on it. Lent is a time to name the unhealthy, sinful, self-centered patterns we need to change and then act against them by coming up with a strategy. If God shines a light into the dark-ness of a bad pattern in my life, I can choose to stop doing it, but I have to work on a change of heart and look concretely at what circumstances, attitudes and behaviors contribute to the pattern. If I am self-indulgent with food, sex, attention-seeking behaviors and do not ask, “What is missing for me that I need to fill it with this?” then simply choosing to stop the pattern won't last long. Long-lasting healing needs the prac-tice of regular Penance.
“Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.”
This saying used in 12-Step programs is a good beginning reflection as we examine the choices we will make in these days of our Lenten journey ahead. Our Lord is calling us to a “change of heart” and we know from experience that nothing will change unless we change our patterns. So, what needs changing? We start by asking for help: “Lord, help me know what needs changing.” And then we have to listen. With reflection, most of us can name things we aren’t proud of, ordinary habits, things we do and things we never get around to doing. We begin to feel the need to change certain attitudes, our way of interacting with others, and our self-absorption. Perhaps a loved one, friend or co-worker has told me some-thing about myself that gets in the way of communication and makes relating to them difficult. Maybe I don't take God seriously. I go to Church every Sunday and contribute my share, but I don’t really take time to deal with my relationship with God. Could it be that dishonesty on all kinds of levels has become a way of life? Perhaps I rarely hear the cry of the poor and can’t remember when I last answered that cry. A roadblock in my relationship with God and others may be wounds or resentments from the past that I continue to hold against others or myself. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins. Wash me clean from all my sin and guilt. - Psalm 51
Beginning New Patterns in Lent: During Lent we can all commit to being more reflective, more aware of what we are doing, more observant and pay attention to my own “automatic behaviors”. Pay attention to our desires - which need to be purified or abandoned. And those wonderful desires we have but never acted on. Naming our desires can guide the choices we make in Lent to establish new behaviors that will extend beyond Lent.
Start new Patterns of Prayer: If I haven’t been praying at all, Lent is a great time to begin. I can start by pausing to take a slow deep breath when I wake up and think about ways to be a better child of God each day. Go to bed ear-lier to get up earlier for some time alone to read the read-ings of the day or a daily Lenten reflection. I may choose to go to daily Mass or come “Pray the Rosary” together as a family every Sunday. Perhaps I will begin to journal day-to-day reflections on what I am working toward this Lent and the graces I’ve been given.
Eating: Lent is a great time to change our eating patterns. It’s not about losing weight, but being more alert. Monks in the desert long ago discovered fasting caused a tremen-dous boost to their consciousness. Not only did their bodies go on alert, but their entire being was in a more heightened state of attention. The purpose of fasting is to aid in prayer, to be more open to the voice of God, especially in times of need.
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY 4
Palm Cross Sale: The Knights of Columbus will be selling palm crosses for Palm Sunday. These crosses are made from real palm and are approxi-mately 24 inches tall. These crosses are typical-ly displayed in cemeteries near the headstone. They can also be put in a memorial garden at your home, on hung up inside your home. Each cross will contain two plastic lily’s and a purple bow. We will have a cross purchased last year on display in the Narthex until Ash Wednesday. The cost of the cross is $12.50. You can give the order form to any member of the Knights, or place in the collection basket marked to the attention: Joe Mezzoni The crosses need to be preordered and paid for by Wednesday March 25th. We will contact you by phone or email when they arrive.
NAME: ____________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________ Email: _____________________________________ Number of Crosses: ___________________________ Total Cost: _________________
Social Action Idea for Lent Our parishioner, Marlee Thomas, is completing her Mas-
ter’s Degree from Western Kentucky University. While com-pleting this degree, she is currently working with clients who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness (SMI). As a program we work with clients who are in personal care homes and seeking transition to independent living, and also clients who are currently living independently and need re-habilitation on daily living skills. This program is reaching out for our help for donations.
Clients are on a limited income, some possessing no in-come at all. Many clients have only enough money to take care of a place to stay such as rent and utilities. We hope to provide them with an opportunity to have items they need for daily living that could increase their quality of life. Items that are needed include:
Body Wash/Bar Soap Shampoo Toothpaste Deodorant Hair Brush/Combs Nail clippers Laundry Detergent Dryer Sheets Liquid Dish Soap Disinfectant Wipes Band-Aids Q-Tips Socks Depends for Women (Sizes M-XL) Feminine Overnight Size Pads (Long Maxi Pads, Heavy) Multi-Purpose Cleaner (Any household cleaner)
Travel size, small, or full size items are appreciated. Hotel soaps, shampoos, lotions are good as well. Items do not need to be name brand. Great value items are good, as well as dollar items. We have received a recent dona-tion of toothbrushes from a local dentist office so that item is not needed at this time. If you would be willing to assist with donations, please bring your donations to the coat closet near the bathrooms and place them in the designated box. Thank you so very much.
Putting It All Together: In the end, this prayer of St. Augus-tine puts us in the right spirit of Lent: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Lent is indeed how God draws us home as individuals; it is also a very communal journey. When I share my experi-ence with even one other close friend or with my entire faith community, I enjoy and share the support and environment that allows grace to flourish. Let us pray for each other on this journey, especially those who need and desire a change of heart on this pil-grimage to Easter joy.
From “Praying Lent” Online Ministries Creighton University http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/ Black Books: We have a few additional Lenten “Little Black Books” available again this weekend. If you have a loved one at home, please consider taking a book home to them. We pray this little book will help them every day journey through this Season of Lent.
Soup Suppers: Want to help with our meatless Soup Sup-pers during Lent? They are scheduled for two more Friday nights during Lent and take place immediately after we
pray the Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m. We give thanks to our Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store who was responsible for our Soup Supper this past Friday night, February 28th. Our
Westfall Trivia Team will be responsible for the Soup Sup-per on March 13th. We have Friday, March 27th available to be adopted by a group. Is this something your prayer group or Bible Study Group would like to do? See Libby for more information.
KC’s Annual Lenten Meal: Join the Mon-signor James Willett Council #7847 of the Knights of Columbus for three Friday eve-nings during Lent for terrific food and fel-lowship – March 6th, March 20th and April 3rd. Serving each night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss this!
Operation Rice Bowl: Saints Peter and Paul will support the valuable work of Catholic Relief Services through partic-ipation in Operation Rice Bowl. Rice Bowls will be available next weekend and gives each of us the choice of cutting back from our excess and donate these monies to Catholic Relief Services. Rice Bowl remains in your home during Lent and is brought to the Mass on Holy Thursday.
Stations of the Cross: Saints Peter and Paul will offer Stations of the Cross each week at the following times: Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. – with our
school students Thursdays in Spanish at 6:15 p.m. Fridays in English at 6:00 p.m. (We adore you O Christ and we praise you! Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world!)
MARCH 1, 2020 • FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH MARCH 1-8
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Sun: PSR-Religious Ed, 9am Parish Holy Hour-4 pm Baptism Prep Class-4 pm, HFR Mon: Radio Committee-5:15 pm, OA Women’s Bible Study-6 pm, OA Wed: Rosary Makers-8:45 am, HFR MS/HS Religious Education-5:30 pm Clean Heart Initiative Presentation-6:30 pm, MH Thu: Knights of Columbus Officers Mtg-6:30 pm, OA Roses of Sts. Peter & Paul Women’s Group-6:30 pm, OA RCIA Session, 7pm-MH Fri: Education Council-11:30 am, OA Knights Lenten Meal-5-7 pm, MH Stations of The Cross-6 pm Bible Study Group-7 pm, HFR Sun: PSR-Religious Ed, 9am Parish Holy Hour-4 pm Clean Heart Initiative Presentation-6:30 pm, MH
Monday, March 2
8:00 am † JOHN BIRCH
Tuesday, March 3
8:00 am † EMMANUEL BATTAH
Wednesday, March 4
8:00 am NO MASS
5:30 pm CONNIE FOWLER
Thursday, March 5
8:00 am JUDY BRUMMETT
5:30 pm Spanish † KEN MCCARVER
Friday, March 6
8:00 am HELEN BROWN
Saturday, March 7
8:00 am † DELORES LOPEZ
5:00 pm † CHARLES WHITMER
Sunday, March 8 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
8:00 am † GEORGE & VICTORIA SPURR
10:30 am JUDY BRUMMETT
2:00 pm Spanish FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
10:30 pm Spanish † JOSE LOPEZ
† Indicates Requiem Mass
SANCTUARY LAMP IN HONOR OF MORGAN AND LINDA MURRAY
ADORATION CHAPEL CANDLES
NO INTENTION REQUESTED
Trivia Night – Date Change: We have an upcoming Adults Only (21 and over) Trivia Night” on Saturday, March 21st with Doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and Trivia beginning at 7:00 p.m. A person can sign up as a table or as an individ-ual. Teams consist of 2 to 8 people with 8 being the maxi-
mum number on any team. Signups will be held in the narthex the weekends of March 7th and 8th and March 14th and 15th. Remember the contest will consist of ten (10) rounds of ten questions each for a total of 100 ques-tions. At the end of the night the top three
teams will receive 1st Place - $100.00 Gift Card; 2nd Place - $50.00 Gift Card; 3rd Place - $25.00 Gift Card. Tickets are $20.00 each which include Trivia and Dinner or $15.00 for Trivia only. All proceeds from this Trivia Night will go to-wards out Confirmation Retreat at Gasper River Retreat Center. Relay for Life: Our Saints Peter and Paul Relay for Life Team have two upcoming fundraisers that you will want to participate in. We have a Saints Peter and Paul T-shirt with
the logo as pictured to the right. We also have car decals modeled after our logo "Faith, Hope and Love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). Both of these items will be available for purchase next weekend, March 7th and 8th after all Masses. We will also have our prayer/cancer bracelets available as well. So please stop by and visit with our team. The fundraisers are ways we can assist the American Cancer Society and our friends in raising awareness and to help fund the good things ACS does in our community as-sisting with families faced with cancer.
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY 6
LAY MINISTERS MARCH 7 AND 8 — SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Saturday, 5:00 pm Altar Servers ............... Susanna Sargeant, Laney Chaudoin Cross Bearer................................................................................ Commentator ................................................. Mary Moehlman Lectors .................................. Pam Sweet, Deana Holdman Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ................... Fran Marko ............................... Robin Bilan, Regina Combs, Earl Combs Choir Loft ........................ Tony Esposito, Mary Moehlman Ushers ............................................. Bill Chaudoin, Bob Marko ...................................................... Laura Waldron, Todd Hall Vocational Cross ................................................. Tim Nosbusch
Sunday, 8:00 am
Altar Servers ................Ashleigh Stevens, Elizabeth Stevens Cross Bearer................................................................................ Commentator ...................................................... Diana France Lectors ................................ Jerry Brockman, Chris Stevens Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: .............. Marcy Stevens ..................... Jim Creighton, Maria Creighton, Terri Means Choir Loft ................................. Bob Stites, Frank Raber Ushers ........................................................ Dennis Folz, Eli Folz .................................... Dalton Folz, Austin Stevens Vocational Cross .................................... Edith and Dean Koch
Sunday, 10:30 am
Altar Servers ................................ Jon Allard, Mason Malone Cross Bearer..................................................... Martin Nguyen Commentator .......................................................... Dee Dailey Lectors ......................................... Leigh and Russell Malone Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ........... Rossella Cincotti .................. David Allard, Michelle & Damian Sandheinrich Choir Loft ................................. Kelly King, Vicki Luckey Ushers ............................................ Franco Cincotti, Kelly King ..................................... James Long, Billy Garnett Vocational Cross ............................. Chad and Michelle Siver
Domingo 2:00 pm Comentarista: ........................................................... Lupita Rosas 1-2 Lectura: ........................ Emmanuel Ixcol, Carmen Huerta Ministro E: ............................. Pedro Gonzalez, Ana Ethridge Hospitalidad: ...................... Victor Hernandez, Chano Vieyra Monaguillos: .......................... Alanis Mulero, Mariana Vieyra
Food Donations to the Aaron McNeil Center. The food item this week is canned/instant potatoes or stuffing mix. All items can be placed in the bin in the coat closet near the restrooms. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Daylight Savings Time Begins SPRING FORWARD March 8th 2:00 am shifts to 3:00 am
Some Lenten Suggestions:
In addition to your weekly Sunday Mass, attend a weekday Mass as well.
Pray the Rosary
Pray the Stations of the Cross (Fridays at 6:00 pm)
One night a week, turn off the TV and spend time talking with family.
Simplify a meal for one day and use the money saved for the poor.
Go through your closet or chest of drawers and gather articles of clothing that have not been worn for more than one year. Take items to Sts Peter and Paul Thrift Store.
Spend a few hours working at the Sts Peter and Paul Thrift Store.
Receive the Sacrament of Confession
Send a card to a friend who needs encouragement.
Spend at least an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Apologize to someone you have offended.
Bake something for a ‘shut-in’ or family in need.
Pray together as a family before the evening meals.
Come to Mass 5 minutes earlier and spend this time in Prayer or stay 5 minutes after Mass.
Apps Available: Laudete and iBreviary are two free mobile apps that include a guide to the Sacrament of Reconcilia-tion and more.
Please Pray for our Deployed Military & Families
Ryan Harrison and Trey Johnston
In Need of Prayers… Bradford Heights – Lynda Combs Carriage Way Assisted Living- Eleanor Rogers, Albert Weakly Covington Convalescent– Pat Chesnut Western State Nursing Facility- Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center- Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki, Christine Mills Others.. Helen Allard, Dick & Jackie Arnold, Sherry Beck, Holly Bivins, Becky Bramble, Ruth Britt, Joan Brockman, Carolyn Brown, Helen Brown, Louise Brown, Judy Brummett, Adley Shay Buckner, Colleen Buehrle, Sherry Calhoun, Dixie Chapman, Sam Chesnut, Bryan Chaudoin, Chris, Tamara & Katelyn Cox, John Cox, Ken & Peggy Cunningham, Woodly ‘Damon’ Dunn, Martha Fowler, Bill & Mary Gilliam, Ron & Janice Godot, Scott Godot, Jim Gorman, Bill Hancock, William Hancock, Heather Jeffries, Leigh Ann Johnson, Tony Jones, Charlie Keel, Delaney Keel, Nina Keller, Jane Lucas, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Kathy Lytle, Neil McGillivray, WP Mere-dith III, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Jim Milazzo, Cecelia Omundson, Teresa Pazin, Rachel Pictor, Martha Reed, Al Rutland, Herman Sanders, Debbie Schock, Frank Selph, Karen Shehan, Eddie Shepherd, Kris-tian Shouse, Albert Sisk, Mary Catherine Smith, Beth Snyder, Rocky Spader, Brenda Stites, Mike & Marilyn Stocker, Georgiann Svestka, Mary Swicicki, Jerry & Bernie Thomas, Ian Thorne, Ron Todd, Clyde Wallace, Helen Winstead, James Wittschack, Pame-la Mezzoni Wofford, Reubin Wyatt. Names will remain on the prayer list for 1 month.
It was not the Nails that kept Jesus On the Cross, It was His great Love for Me.
MARCH 1, 2020 • FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 7
Pastor’s Greetings, OUR REAL ENEMY I made a deliberate choice many years ago to study the devil only to the extent necessary to protect myself spiritu-ally and for the ordinary spiritual care of others. Early in my study of theology I not-
ed a curiosity about the ways of spiritual darkness and like-wise experienced an interior warning not to pursue that curiosity. I learned a great respect for the deceitful and seductive power of evil. I also learned that it is not to be combated by its own methods and weapons. It is overcome by the good of the grace of God. The prayer to Saint Mi-chael the Archangel clearly reflects this awareness of the necessary care one should exercise when dealing with evil, a care drawn from the New Testament’s Letter of Jude. On the First Sunday of Lent the Church deliberately, but with great care, proclaims the gospel of Jesus’ spiritual com-bat with the devil in which “he was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.” The focus here is on our cham-pion in the battle. For, although the devil has been defeat-ed and the victory won by the Lord Jesus Christ, the battle still rages around us. While its cause is lost, the devil would play spoiler to detract from the victory as much as possible. It is then with great confidence that we enter the spiritual battle with Christ this Lent. But it is also with a profound and instructed humility that we do so armed with the weapons and strength provided by God. For a description of the spiritual warfare see Ephesians 6.10-20, and for the practi-cal knowledge about the devil see the Catechism: §391-395, §2850-2854. The evil one is a spiritual creature of great power and intelligence which was created immensely good but freely and irrevocably rebelled against our Creator through pride. It fell into a frustrated condition of spite and horror, bent on the opposition of God’s goodness. This fallen angel is named in the Scriptures as Satan (which is translated “the Accuser”), the devil (diabolos– the one who throws itself against or across God’s plans), the tempter, a liar, in fact “the father of lies,”, a murderer from the beginning [John 8:44], the ancient serpent, the dragon, the prince of this world, beelzebul (lord of the flies), the evil one. It is so vain as to attempt with all its cunning and power to sabotage the redemptive work of God in person by way of attacking the humanity of the Divine Son. As the Gospel tells us, it em-ployed against Jesus the same temptations by which it prompted both the original sin and by which it led Israel into sin in the wilderness. But Jesus prevailed. Jesus taught the disciples to pray for deliverance from “the Evil One,” the very last petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Unperturbed, the devil returned at various times to strike at the disciples or at Jesus. It demanded “to sift the Twelve like wheat [Luke 22:31-32]” and snared Judas in its deceits. At the Crucifix-ion it had the crowd taunt Jesus to come down from the cross, exposing its final objective as the inducement of des-pair. But again Jesus was victorious. As Lent begins we do well to survey the state of spiritual contagions in our lives. This is not so easy and always be-gins with a prayer for humility. Sin poisons spiritual sight
and understanding, leading to hardened ignorance and blindness. For those caught up in the seven deadly sins or in the webs of social sins it takes immense humility or humbling to break through the encrustations defending the practice of sin. But there are subtler forms of evil. The poisons of resentment, accusation, bitterness, and vindictiveness seep through the cracks of sadness or injury into otherwise virtu-ous souls by way of self-pity or self-righteousness and are perhaps the devil’s most vicious corruptions. Many are in-fected this way, unaware of the source of their unhappiness which they blame on others. Always, always, the devil’s goal is a human’s despair of grace, the extinction of hope, the doubt that God will establish justice. It is ours then to give our weakness, woundedness, and sins to Jesus, ac-knowledging our own part in his crucifixion, so that we may receive our participation in the victory of his resurrection. Christ’s faithfulness on the cross destroys the devil’s deceits and overthrows despair. Fr. Richard
Pastoral Care Dealing with Pornography: The Clean Heart Initiative at Saints Peter and Paul kicked off with Safe Haven last weekend. After the Masses, packets that contain information about the resources available for con-fronting the problem of pornography were provided to those ages 18+. Now available are information sessions for adults ages 18+ using the Informed video series from Integrity Restored. Each session's video is about 1 hour long. There are three video presentations, which will be offered on two different occasions. Childcare is available as need-ed. All sessions are held in Meredith Hall. This is a careful first step to confront a very difficult and sensitive predica-ment afflicting our families and our society. Fr. Richard
Session 2 - The Porn Plague: Theological Perspectives pre-sented by Fr. Sean Kilcawley Wednesday, Mar. 4th 6:30pm - 8:00 pm Sunday, Mar. 8th 5:30pm - 7:00 pm
Session 3 - Parenting in the Internet Generation presented by Matt Fradd Wednesday, Mar. 11th 6:30pm - 8:00pm Sunday, Mar. 15th 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Catholic Women of Faith Conference: Saint Philip Catholic Church located at 113 2nd Avenue South in Franklin, Tennes-see will be hosting “Catholic Women of Faith Conference, on Saturday, March 28th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville and the conference concludes at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $45.00 in advance or $50.00 at the door with optional box lunches available. Cost for high
school and college women is $25.00. Women, let us carpool together or let us reserve our parish/school bus and travel together. Registration forms are available by seeing Libby. Guest
Speakers include: Kelly Niteo, Kathleen Beck-man, Christine Watkins and Taylor Tripodi.
