April
2, 2006
NOW,
Can You Hear?
Palm Sunday
As usual Palm Sunday will bring out the big crowds next weekend. It
won’t be as hectic as the FIRST “palm sunday” when
people tore branches off of trees and threw clothes in the street --
but some years it comes close. As always, some people love the challenge
of welcoming a huge throng; others dread it. But when you think that
we’re all here for Jesus, it makes the prospect of being crowded
together an opportunity for joy and hospitality.
One “heads up” I want to give is that we have changed our
Sunday Mass schedule a bit to accommodate the extra masses and the processions.
Click here for this information..
Census
Continues
Of the approximate 6,000 families we usually send mail to, we’ve
received completed Census booklets from over 2,000. So we’ve got
a ways to go.
Is your booklet in?
CollegeStudents
If you know students who are away at college, let us know so we can
keep touch via e-mail.
Sign up here!
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past Columns:
Mar 26: Can You Hear Me
Again?
Mar 19: Can You Hear Me
Now?
Mar 12: Now Take 4Steps
March 5: Take A Step
Feb 26:Coming Home
Feb19: Visiting Heros
Feb 12: Passing Pastor
Feb 4: Annual Appeal
Jan 22: Abandoned Nets
Jan 15: Everlasting Life
Jan 8: I'm not going to
jail..
Jan 1: Happy New Year
Columns
from 2005
Columns
from 2004
Columns from
2003
Columns from 2002
It’s
time. For the past few weeks I have been inviting you to invite people
to our Lenten Parish
Mission. Our parish staff has been planning this mission to prepare
us for Holy Week and Easter. The overall theme is “Can you Hear
Me Now?” -- a reflection on how God calls to us to grow closer in
love and faith.
Could I take a moment to speak
to the “busy people” out there? You will be busy next week
and the week after that and the week after that and....well you get the
idea. In our spiritual journey it’s important to just stop for a
moment and open ourselves to receiving God. “Can you hear me now?”
God asks. And sometimes in our busy-ness we answer, “I can hear
you now, but I don’t have time to listen.”
Well how about taking some time
next week to be more open to God through this Mission? There will be some
thoughtful reflections, some good music, prayer, and the chance to step
out of business-as-usual. If you’re responsible for taking care
of your family at home in the evening, perhaps you could find someone
to “cover” for you for at least one evening -- or go ahead
and get coverage all week! (You deserve it!) Remember: The EVENING Mission
will be in the school on Maple Ave.
For those who prefer to come in
the day, we’re having a Mission presentation after the 12:10 Mass
each day (Monday through Thursday). Come for mass and stay for the Mission
(or if you’re able to run in for the Mission come at 12:45. Remember
the AFTERNOON Mission is in the church on Post Ave.
Please pray for the staff members
who are giving the reflections and leading the prayers. And say one more
prayer as you ask God who else to invite along with you.
