Fr. Craig’s Contemplations

Fr. Craig’s Contemplations
 
Fourth Week of Lent
 
This is Christ
 
Our Lord Jesus came hidden in Mary’s womb, then in Bethlehem, then hidden in Nazareth, in Capernaum and on Tiberias.
The mystical life is Jesus hidden as well.  Jesus lives in our Church and His presence will be with us until the end of days. Yet Jesus teaches through the church, gives life through the actions of the church, especially in the church’s service to the poor. Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez reminds us that the Church is Christ.
 
Yet, Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez reminds us too, as the world
didn’t know our Lord, it does not know His Church. [[He continues…]] “Where are you more present than in the Eucharist? Only in heaven are you more perfectly present than in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the
epitome of all your presences, it is the compendium of all your love’s
excesses.”
 
Consider for a moment the words of St. Thomas Aquinas …in reference to seeing Jesus in the tabernacle, “Upon the cross only your divinity was
hidden, but here your humanity too.”
When we sit in the silence of our church and gaze upon the Tabernacle, Jesus is there. Next weekend is the final Sunday before we enter into Holy Week. Let’s take a moment to give thanks for the most sacred gift the church has, the Most Holy Eucharist. {The Eucharist truly is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus.}

May God bless you,
Fr. Craig Marion


READINGS FOR MARCH 27, 2022
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SECOND SCRUTINY
1^st Reading—1 Samuel 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a—The Lord said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied: “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives.” He was brought to them, the Lord said, “There—anoint him, for this is the one!”

Responsorial Psalm: 23: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5— “Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.”

2^nd Reading—Ephesians 5: 8-14 —Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; everything exposed by the light becomes visible.

Gospel Acclamation—Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!
“Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again.”

Gospel—John 9: 1-41—When Jesus and his disciples encounter a man who is blind from birth, the disciples voice an ancient belief that illness and misfortune result from sin. Jesus indicates the wrong question has been asked. The purpose of this encounter is to further reveal Jesus is the light of the world and life-giving water. The man obeys Jesus, washes in the Pool of Siloam, and is given sight, but the crowd questions him and brings him before the Pharisees. As believers, we should respond to the light that is Jesus. We don’t need to be blind to be filled with darkness. Light and sight is openness to God through Christ now.


4TH SUNDAY OF LENT - A - MARCH 27, 2022
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

1) Let us pray for the Church:
God, who gives light for eyes to see, lead us on our Lenten journey from the darkness of sin into your own wonderful light.               
Enlighten those chosen to receive the Easter sacraments.
We pray to the Lord . . .

2) Let us pray for freedom for the world's children:
Shepherd of the nations, end the night of violence and oppression.
Bring peace to the people of Ukraine and the surrounding countries in peril.  We pray to the Lord . . .

3) In this month of March, let us pray for those with disabilities:
Perform new signs for the vision-impaired, O Lord.
Refresh and bring healing to our mentally ill brothers and sisters.
We pray to the Lord . . .

4) Let us pray for the sick:
Show forth your work and compassion for those who are ill --
Kevin Petrusha     Catherine Konen   Margaret Davidson
Joe Bouknight       Jack Little   Don Hauser          Andrea Matusik
And for all who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord . . .

5) Let us remember the dead:
May our beloved dead arise from sleep and be bathed in the eternal
light of Christ especially –  Darren McLaughlin, son-in-law of Ron Schwartz and…
(5:00 Mass) Frederick & Mariah Andre
(8:30 Mass) Code Family
(10:30 Mass) Chris Christiansen, Eric Christiansen, Richard Kuciemba,
Deceased members of the Donald McGee Family
We pray to the Lord . . .




ANNOUNCEMENTS -- March 27, 2022

 

1. Stations of the Cross will be led this Friday evening at 7:00 PM. By members of the Christian Service Commission. Soup and bread will be served after the stations.

 

2. Food donations for the Easter distribution are due on Sunday, April 10^th. For a list of needed items, please stop by the display board. We are also in need of volunteers for our sort and distribution. Please stop and sign up in the book provided in the gathering area.

 

3. Please stop in the gathering area and sign up to donate blood on Good Friday.

 

4. Tickets for our May 6^th “Lights, Camera, Auction” fundraiser are now available in the parish office or you can purchase them through our website. Cost is $50. There is an architectural plan in the gathering area where you can see the plans of the facelift for the kitchen. Please stop and take a look.

 

5. The Knights of Columbus Father Ging Council (Ortonville) will be conducting their annual M.I. (Tootsie Roll) Drive the weekend of April 8-10, 2022.  You will see them with their yellow aprons and friendly smiles at a few selected businesses around the town and after the weekend Masses at St. Anne Church.  All donations go to the mentally impaired with 80% of the funds collected staying in our community. These funds are greatly needed, and we appreciate your generosity.

 

6. Our Lenten Penance Service is Monday, April 4^th at 7:30 p.m.

 

7. Our monthly potluck dinner is next Saturday, April 2^nd after the 5 p.m. Mass.

 

8. (Sunday) Please join us for coffee, donuts and fellowship in Hardy Hall.