The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thoughts from Fr. Bill…….

Dear friends, today we begin the Gospel of Luke. We will hear
from Luke for most of the year. Luke was a gentile man, and he
wrote his Gospel for Christians who may not have known the Jewish
scriptures, Jewish law or religious practice. His purpose was to record
the Gospel handed on to him by Paul and other disciples.
Luke’s is the most tender of Gospels, the most intimate, with the
most stories of healing and the most references to women. Let us
pray today to be like the people we will hear about in our first reading,
who stood for hours listening to God’s word.

This week begins Catholic Schools Week. We remember and are
thankful for the fact that the tradition of Catholic schools remains
the same: “A Catholic education is an education for life.” A Catholic
education, whether it is on Sunday morning at Faith Formation or
five days a week at a Catholic school, provides the foundation and
the tools young people need to grow into faithful followers of
Christ. The patron saint of teachers, John Baptist de la Salle, put it
best: “Enter to learn, leave to serve.”

Next Sunday February 3 from Noon – 2PM you are invited to our
3rd Annual Parish Appreciation Party in the Church Hall. Come and
enjoy some good tailgate food and enjoy each other’s company before
watching the Super Bowl. I will also present the 3rd Annual Fr.
Straub Service Award.

Lent is fast approaching! Our parish will be participating in a very
exciting and spiritual program this year entitled Living the Eucharist
(LE). LE is a parish-based renewal experience for adults, families
and teens that will help them come to know more profoundly the
love of Christ in the Eucharist. You will be invited to participate by
joining an Adult discussion group on Monday evenings beginning
Monday February 11; joining a teen discussion group on Sunday
mornings; engaging in family activities at home, reading the Lenten
reflection book (similar to the little black book) and reflecting on the
bulletin inserts. Begin praying today on how you might become
involved in this exciting Lenten program and how you can Grow
Closer to God!

As we pray this week’s psalm response. Your words, Lord, are
spirit and life, we are reminded that we have all that we need in
Jesus.

LET’S GO PENS! Fr. Bill
Peace

Trying to live a full life in the service of the Lord,
failing frequently and falling on the mercy of God each time….