Pastoral Letter Blog

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday—a feast that comes from Jesus’ own desire to make known the abundance of His eternal mercy, so that sinners may be reconciled with God and find peace in His love. At the same time, we are mourning the passing of Pope Francis, and praying for the Church during this time of transition. It is a moment both solemn and sacred, calling us to entrust our hearts to God’s providence. Back in 1931, a Polish nun named Saint Faustina Kowalska began receiving visions of Jesus. In one of these visions, He appeared clothed in white, raising His right hand in blessing while His left hand touched His heart. From His heart flowed two rays—one red and one white. Jesus instructed her to have this image painted and shared throughout the world. This now-famous image, which we see in many churches and homes, has deep meaning: the white ray symbolizes the water of Baptism, which makes souls righteous, and the red ray represents the Precious Blood of Christ, which is the life of our souls. Together, they proclaim the great truth of our faith—that Christ suffered, died, and rose again to forgive our sins and offer us new life. Yet, many do not ask for His mercy. Many live outside the grace God wants so eagerly to pour out. Jesus told Sister Faustina to record His messages in a diary, so the world would know how much He desires to give us His mercy. I once read that what saddens Jesus most is that so many reject His mercy here on earth, and so He cannot give it to them in eternity. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, if we choose to ask God for forgiveness, He will forgive us—completely and freely—because He is Mercy itself. But if we reject that mercy, God respects our freedom and allows us to keep our sins, which leads us to be judged by our own choices. Knowing this, Jesus asked that the Second Sunday of Easter be set aside as a day to honor His Divine Mercy, giving souls a special opportunity to return to Him. Scripture reminds us again and again that God’s mercy endures forever, and that He does not desire the death of a sinner, but that they be converted and live. This Sunday is a powerful reminder: Yes, we fall. Yes, we sin. But with God, there is always a second chance—a third, a hundredth, a millionth—if we only ask. God forgives as much as we are willing to ask for forgiveness. That’s why He gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a concrete way to receive His mercy. In the Gospel this weekend, we hear Jesus say to Peter: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” With these words, Jesus entrusts the power to forgive sins to Peter and, through him, to the Church. Our bishops are the successors of the Apostles, and priests receive this sacred ministry at ordination. Confession, then, is not just a ritual—it is the ordinary way Christ offers us forgiveness. Now, a few words about the death of Pope Francis. Like every pope before him, he served the Church to the best of his ability. Some may have admired him deeply, others may have struggled with certain decisions he made. But if God entrusted him with the care of the Church, then we, as the faithful, are called to support and pray for our shepherd. I believe his papacy was necessary—especially for those who felt forgotten or left on the margins. Pope Francis was known as the “People’s Pope” he made people feel welcome and loved. As we await the election of a new pope, let us pray earnestly. A conclave will soon gather the cardinals under the age of 80 in the Sistine Chapel, where they will vote for the next successor of Peter. This is a sacred and serious responsibility. Let us all unite in prayer for this process, and for the one whom God is calling to lead His Church. Pope Francis began his pontificate by humbly asking us to pray for him. That request remains just as vital now—for his soul, for his successor, and for all those in Church leadership. Bishops and priests face many challenges in shepherding God's people, including their own human weaknesses and the demands of the world we live in. So I ask you: pray for us, but especially pray for the man who will become our next pope. He will not be perfect, and he may not always make the decisions we expect. But as our shepherd, he deserves our prayers, our support, and our attentive hearts. God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!! I pray that during these next 50 days of the Easter season, you may truly experience the resurrection of Christ in your life. The resurrection is not something magical, as though Christ waves a wand and suddenly we are converted. Lent is our preparation, a spiritual journey that leads us to the moment of Jesus passing through our lives at Easter. According to the Gospels, on Easter morning only Mary Magdalene encounters the Risen Christ. No one else does at first. Over the coming weeks, we will hear different Gospel accounts of others meeting the Risen Lord in a variety of places and situations—reminding us that Christ reveals Himself in many ways, often when we least expect it. We live in a world that doesn’t like to wait. We’ve grown accustomed to instant everything. It’s funny to think how different things were not so long ago—waiting through commercials on TV, or sending letters by mail that took days or weeks to arrive. Today, we can get deliveries within hours and watch any show, anywhere, anytime. Yet, when we read Scripture, we discover that God often calls His people to wait. Abraham waited most of his life for God to fulfill His promises. Then he waited again to hear His voice. The Israelites wandered 40 years in the desert. Clearly, God is in no rush. He could have created the world in an instant, yet He chose to take seven days. After our Lenten preparation, now we enter the season of hope and anticipation—waiting for the Lord to appear. We don’t know when or how, but we trust that He will come. Let us not be like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who walked and spoke with Jesus without recognizing Him. Each year, Christ seeks to free us from the lies and chains of the enemy. We are often tempted to believe that we are not good enough, that we cannot forgive ourselves for past mistakes, or that a certain person will always remain a painful burden in our lives. The suffering we see around us can deepen that grief. The disciples, too, experienced this kind of “death” of the soul—sadness, confusion, even despair. But in the midst of this brokenness, Christ appears. He comes to reveal that those things no longer have power over us. He breaks the chains of darkness. A better image might be this: Christ has flung open the doors of our prison cell—but we must choose to walk out. The Holy Spirit comes to give us the strength to take that step into freedom. The freedom to forgive. The freedom to see how valuable and loved we truly are. It doesn’t matter if we are “good enough”—God loves us as we are. He knows we have our struggles. I like to say, respectfully and with humor, that we are sometimes God’s “high-maintenance children.” Yet He loves us just the same! So now that we have heard the news of the Resurrection—what do we do? Peter and John ran to the tomb. They left the place where they were and sought Christ. We are invited to do the same. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been coming to church regularly, or if this is your first time here in a while—the invitation is for everyone . This Jubilee Year is a special time of grace. Come out of fear and into the freedom of the Risen Christ! Encounter Him in the many opportunities offered in our parish: Daily Mass (Monday to Saturday at 7:30 AM), Adoration (6:30–7:30 AM and 6–7 PM), Confessions (6–7 PM), Jubilee Talks every Wednesday (7–8 PM), Tuesdays in Spanish, Thursdays in Portuguese Upcoming retreats: Unbound in English (May 24), Brazilian retreat (May 24–25), Spanish couples retreat (June 1), Join one of our many ministries—Cenacle, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Neocatechumenal Way, Bible Study, Friends of Faith, Bereavement Ministry—or serve at Mass as a catechist, lector, singer, or Eucharistic minister. Maybe the wait is over. The Risen Christ is already here, waiting to encounter you . He will free you. He will give you new life. Come and see! God Bless, Fr. Steven 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Not long ago, we sang with joy, “O Come, Let Us Adore Him.” . Though this beloved hymn celebrates the response of the shepherds to the birth of the Savior, it echoes once again this Palm Sunday. Today, we are also invited to come and adore Him —this time as He enters Jerusalem, not as an infant, but as the suffering King. The child born in Bethlehem came with a mission: to give His life for the salvation of humanity. From the very beginning, the Nativity foreshadowed the Passion. In traditional Greek icons of the Nativity, Jesus is wrapped in swaddling clothes—foreshadowing the burial linens He will later wear. He is born in a cave-like stable, reminiscent of the tomb in which He will be laid. In Jesus’ time, the dead were placed in stone-cut tombs, not buried underground. The Gospel notes that the tomb of Nicodemus “had not yet been used,” emphasizing its sacred role in God’s plan. Even the reactions to Jesus’ birth and His triumphant entry into Jerusalem are strikingly similar. When Herod heard of the newborn King, he was "greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Mt 2:3). Centuries later, as Jesus enters Jerusalem amid palm branches and acclamations, the entire city is once again shaken—stirred by the arrival of a King who does not come with power and might, but with humility and love. This is no coincidence. Everything in salvation history unfolds according to God's perfect plan. It prompts us to reflect: What is the image we hold of Christ as King? Do we see Him as the one who should take away our sufferings, fix our problems, and restore order to the world? While Christ certainly brings healing and hope, He often does so in ways we do not expect. He is not a King who comes to conquer with force, but one who walks alongside us—through our struggles, pain, and even death—inviting us to place our full trust in God. To grasp the depth of God’s love, consider the image of a parent keeping vigil by their sick child, or a spouse caring tenderly for their beloved in illness or death. These acts of love go beyond obligation—they are a gift of self. In the same way, Christ enters Jerusalem not with glory as the world defines it, but with compassion —literally, "to suffer with." He doesn’t remove suffering from our lives, but instead enters into it with us. Emmanuel— God is with us —even in our darkest hours. We are not alone. Christ calls us to accompany others in their pain, to bring His presence to those who are suffering, and to love as He loves. Only love has the power to conquer sin and death. Palm Sunday’s liturgy begins with celebration—the waving of palms, the joyful acclamation of Christ the King. But it moves swiftly into the solemn reading of His Passion. This contrast invites us to welcome the King who comes not to reign from a throne, but from the Cross. He comes to suffer with us, to carry our sins, and to free us—not from Roman oppression, as many in His time expected—but from the grip of sin and death itself. So, dear friends, let us enter this Holy Week with faith, love, and hope. It is easy to go through the motions, to let these sacred days pass by. But Christ desires to live this time with us and in us . As St. Paul reminds us, “If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him” (Rom 6:8). Let us then walk this path with Christ—through the Cross, into the joy of the Resurrection. May this Holy Week transform us, renew us, and prepare our hearts to truly celebrate the miracle of Easter.  God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We would like to thank everyone who helped us with our recent 24Hr Adoration and mass with Bishop Reed! All the servers, the lectors, our Choir and the Knights of Columbus! Everything was beautiful! I would like to bring your attention to some very important upcoming activities we are having here at the Parish: Our Annual Fish Fryday will be held on April 11th at 5:30pm in Meehan Hall . We will be serving Fish & French Fries. The tickets are $15.00/per adult and $10.00/per child . Please purchase your tickets ahead of time so we can prepare the right amount of food. You can purchase tickets after mass or at the parish office (they will also be available at the door). Next week we will have a very important and powerful workshop led by Deacon Joe Cooley who has been here in the parish before. Please see the announcement below. Please see our Holy Week and Easter Schedule on the next page. Our new IC Bereavement Ministry will begin on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:00am in the Lower Church . Please stay tuned for more information on this ministry. God Bless, Fr. Steven On Fire: Identity Workshop Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th in Lower Church Deacon Joe Cooley Please join us for an On Fire: Identity Workshop on Friday night, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 in the lower church . Connect with Jesus in a way that will transform your life immediately and permanently! Uncover the truth of who the Lord says you are! The following testimonies from people who have attended this event in the past demonstrate the possibilities: · “The On Fire workshop was a whirlwind of blessings. The weekend surpassed all my hopes and expectations. I have been so blessed by the people I was privileged to meet, the profound experiences in prayer and Adoration, and even receiving extraordinary healing! On Fire was truly an experience of Heaven kissing earth.” · “Praise the Lord!! The Father downloaded my identity as a beloved daughter into my heart and soul. I experienced His love and mercy flooding into the core of my being.” · “What a powerful workshop. I so love the work being done.” · “ON Fire Identity Workshop was a powerful workshop. The kind of workshop where the word of God and the encounter of the Holy Spirit will stay with you long after the workshop is over.” Use the QR code to learn more and register for the workshop. You can also register at the door. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend, we will hear the story of the prodigal son—a story familiar to us all. However, I would like to share a few insights with you as we reflect on this powerful parable. A few years ago, while meditating on this passage, I began to wonder why the father would give his money to his son. Perhaps the natural reaction would be to refuse or to send the son away empty-handed. If we were in his shoes, we might think, "Who does this rebellious son of mine think he is, demanding the money I earned through hard work and leaving us behind? If he wants to leave, he knows where the door is." However, that is not the attitude of this father. It took me a while to understand how the father could so gently give his money to his son and allow him to leave. I am no philosopher or theologian, but it seems the father understands that love cannot be forced. Love is an act of the will, and without freedom, there is no love. This principle underlies the gift of free will that God has given us. Despite everything God provides—a world we did not create, families given to us, and the gift of salvation through Christ—we remain free to take our blessings and walk away. In the face of our stubbornness, God can do nothing but love us. Just as the father left the door open for his son's return, God always leaves a door open for us to return to Him. Another element to consider in this story is that the son may have been deceived. We are quick to judge him, but we often fail to understand what led him to make such a drastic decision. What might have influenced him to leave everything behind? Was it the persuasion of friends turning him against his family? Did the allure of worldly pleasures make him believe he would find greater happiness elsewhere? Or perhaps he felt useless in his father's house—comparing himself to his brother or believing he was such a disappointment that he no longer belonged. These inner struggles are difficult to understand, and I realize it is becoming increasingly challenging to comprehend the thoughts of today's youth. Their understanding of reality often differs greatly from our own, making them more vulnerable to feelings of exclusion. The pressures they face—to act or appear a certain way—can become overwhelmingly burdensome. This parable also invites us to be less judgmental of others. If you knew the prodigal son and his family, what would you have said to him as he walked away? Many of us might have spoken harshly or dismissed him. Yet, how would we react if we only encountered him on his return? It is the same person, but our responses would likely be very different. This story reminds us to approach others with compassion and understanding, no matter where they are on their journey. Finally, I would like to reflect on the pivotal moment when the son decided to return home. He endured great suffering and lost everything he had. The weight of shame must have been immense. Yet, nothing prevented him from returning to his house. Deep within, he knew his father would welcome him. I hope we all share this same trust in God's mercy. There is always an opportunity to confess our sins and return to the Father's house. Like the prodigal son, let us rise, leave behind the land of darkness, and speak to the Father. We know how He will receive us—with open arms and the joyous feast of the fattened calf, which ultimately points to the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. May we never hesitate to return to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father. Please consider attending one of our Wednesday Jubilee talks, as we will be covering some of these topics in our upcoming talks. We also have adoration everyday 6:00pm-7:00pm with the opportunity to go to confession with various priests as well. God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Have you ever felt the weight of past mistakes pressing down on your heart, leading to sadness or hopelessness? The sacrament of confession, also known as reconciliation, offers a transformative path toward healing and renewal. As a priest, I assure you, our focus in confession is not on remembering your sins but on offering God’s forgiveness and guiding you back to the light. I want to share with you how to prepare for and experience the grace of confession. The first step is recognizing that Christ entrusted His apostles, beginning with Peter, with the authority to forgive sins. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:23). This power, given to Peter and passed down through the bishops, has been entrusted to us priests. We act in Christ’s name to offer forgiveness. As St. Augustine reminds us, “The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works” (Sermon 13.1). St. John Chrysostom also teaches, “Let us not be ashamed to confess our sins, but let us be ashamed of our sins” (Homily 3 on Matthew). This sacrament invites us to acknowledge our failings, that God may heal and renew us. Preparing for confession is an act of humility and grace. As we approach the sacrament, we should ask the Holy Spirit for help. The Holy Spirit comforts us, dispels our fears, and leads us back to God with hope. Like the prodigal son returning home, we too can experience the embrace of our Heavenly Father. Sin separates us from God, but reconciliation through confession restores us to Him. This sacrament is aptly named because it heals the rift caused by sin and restores our relationship with God. The process begins with an examination of conscience. Reflect prayerfully on your actions since your last confession. You can use guides available on our website under the sacraments section to help recall your sins. Whether you focus on the Ten Commandments or the Seven Deadly Sins, the goal is to remember your sins as best as you can. As St. Ambrose said, “Confession is the way to freedom.” Reflecting on our sins is not an exercise in shame, but an opportunity for growth. It’s natural to feel remorse, but we should also be grateful for the grace of recognizing our faults and the opportunity to be forgiven. With a resolve to abandon sin, we are then ready to approach the sacrament. If you have not confessed in a while, I recommend scheduling an appointment. This will give you time to reflect and prepare. When you come to confession, begin with the sign of the cross and say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ___ amount of time since my last confession, and these are my sins.” You may also share your marital status and whether you have children living with you, so the priest can best serve you. When confessing, there is no need to go into explicit detail—simply name the sin and its frequency. If you have forgotten any sins, say, “For these sins and the ones I don’t remember, I am sorry.” The priest will offer words of encouragement and may assign a penance. This penance is not a punishment, but a way to heal spiritually and undo the damage caused by sin. It strengthens you to resist sin in the future. Afterward, you will say the Act of Contrition: “O my God, I am sorry for my sins. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.” As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, “The one who has been forgiven much loves much.” Finally, the priest will pronounce the words of absolution in the person of Christ: “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” With this, your sins are forgiven, and you are made new, filled with joy and peace. As St. John Paul II said, “Confession is the door through which we enter into the embrace of God’s mercy.” Confessions are available here at the parish Monday through Friday from 6 to 7pm (along with adoration), Saturdays from 1–3 pm (in the lower church), or by scheduling an appointment at the office. May you experience the peace and freedom that come with reconciliation, and may your hearts be filled with renewed hope as you begin anew. God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, When we die, how do you want to be remembered? What will people say about our character? I’m not sure if you ever had this thought. Certainly we have spoken about others. Now, how will God remember our lives? What will Christ speak of us? What must we do to change the course of our lives? Quite often, I meet a lot of people who are good people. They are good spouses, parents, and children. However, do they resemble God in their lives? Do people see their faces glowing? Are they slow to anger and quick to forgive? Do they have an intimate life with Christ in prayer and sacrament? We are not called to be good people. Our calling is to be a saint, and to bear the image of Christ in our lives. This weekend we hear the passage of the transfiguration. Peter sees the glory of God as this dazzling white light. It is the same light that the women see in the angels announcing the resurrection. Moses after seeing God on Mt. Sinai, would also have this glow on his face. Some of the saints are also said to have this same glow of the love of God when caring for others. One good starting point is to look at the corporal works of mercy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it “consists especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.”(CCC2447). Jesus Christ says that when we clothe the naked, visit those in prison, feed the hungry, it is Christ himself that we help (Mt 25:31-40). Now there are many ways to be charitable towards others. Here in the Church (on the side of the church) we have the community fridge, where it is a great way to feed the hungry. Have you ever considered cooking dinner for an extra person and putting it out there? Or even take from what is yours and share it with them? It is not a matter of giving the leftovers, or even things that you don’t like. You can fast from candy, cookies, or chocolate and share it with them. Those in need also enjoy good things. You can also contribute to Our Father’s Table and the food pantry, which also accepts donations of clothes. Imagine if our effort could reach out to people not just in Marlboro, but throughout the whole Archdiocese of Boston. The Catholic Appeal is a way to help those in need on a larger scale, from the poor, to priests, those getting married, prison ministry, struggling parishes, and so many other ways. I have seen firsthand the impact of this campaign. It is amazing what can be done with so little. If we do so much with so little, how much more could we do with more? This weekend, the 2025 Catholic Appeal will officially launch here in our parish and across our Archdiocese. As your pastor, I hope and encourage you to join me in making a gift to this year’s Catholic Appeal. As we celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, our participation in the Catholic Appeal signifies an important way that we can share Christ’s promise, care, and love with others. For those who have already made a gift, please know that I am deeply grateful. We are hoping to have a strong participation from our parish! Our goal this year is $ 55,500, of which we already have 27% of it. Please pray during this week for God to speak to you and help your heart to be generous next week in our pledges.  Thank you for moving us “Forward in Faith”! God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, It’s the most wonderful time of the year — I’m so excited for Lent this year! Lent is more than just a time when we give up our treats; it’s an opportunity to fall in love with the Lord all over again. It’s a time for deepening our relationship with Him and with one another. The traditional Lenten practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are meant to help us do just that. But how do we live them out? What do each of these practices truly mean? Every Christian is called to follow in the steps of Jesus, which means that, like Him, we will experience both passion and resurrection. Included in this journey is the experience of temptation, just as Jesus faced temptations. The first temptation we hear about in the Gospel this Sunday is the devil’s offer for Jesus to turn stones into bread. According to the Fathers of the Church, this temptation is about avoiding suffering. After fasting for 40 days, Jesus was hungry. The devil took advantage of this by offering Jesus the chance to end His suffering by filling His belly with bread. But we know that bread is not the true source of life. While it satisfies us for a time, we will hunger again. I often think of how children sometimes fill up on junk food and then have no appetite for their main meals. The solution is to resist the snacks, and in time, real hunger will return for what nourishes us. In the same way, Lent is a time for us to fast and discover our true hunger for the Lord. Whatever source of comfort, peace, or joy you turn to outside of God, consider fasting from it. This could be something like coffee, chocolate, gossip, or complaining. Jesus invites us to hunger for Him — to discover that He is the TRUE BREAD FROM HEAVEN! Instead of spending time on screens, playing games or watching shows, take time to read and meditate on the Passion of Christ. Read the Bible. If you don’t know where to start, consider using the free subscription to Formed.org (just sign up as a parishioner, then enter the Marlboro ZIP code, and our parish name will appear). This site offers a wealth of resources, from audiobooks to movies about saints, meditations, and even content for children. The second temptation in Matthew’s Gospel is idolatry. I once heard a definition of idolatry that helped me understand it better: “Idolatry is anything outside of God where we seek happiness.” This could be affection from family members, money, possessions, sports, drinking, or anything else. The devil tries to deceive us, offering to fill what’s missing in our lives and make us happy. But Christ responds that only God is worthy of our worship and adoration. We, too, are invited to adore the Lord. Starting this week, we will have daily adoration — from 6:30-7:30 AM in the Lower Church and 6:00pm-7:00 PM in the Upper Church. God wants to give you what will truly make you happy — Himself. After adoration, we will also offer talks and confession from 7:00pm-8:00 PM in the Upper Church on Wednesdays. In the third temptation, the devil tries to convince Jesus that He could be different from the way God made Him. He could achieve fame and power instantly, but Jesus chooses to remain faithful to God’s plan for His life. He puts God first, accepting the fragility of His own earthly existence. We, too, can follow Jesus by putting God first in our lives. One way to do this is through almsgiving. Almsgiving isn’t just about giving away spare change; it’s about choosing God over worldly comforts. For instance, instead of buying that coffee, you could give the money away to someone in need. Here in Marlboro, many people are struggling, and we’re giving out piggy banks this weekend at church to help you collect money for those in need. All the proceeds will go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP), which desperately needs support to provide for those suffering. Almsgiving can also involve giving your time and talent. Consider greeting people at church or reaching out to others in your life. Take time to pray for them. Let us all choose to put love of God and our neighbor as top priority in our lives. Lastly, I encourage you to participate in our Trilingual Bingo on Saturday, March 22nd . It will be a wonderful opportunity for the whole parish to come together and show love for one another. Let’s make this Lenten season a time of deep transformation as we draw closer to the Lord.  God Bless, Fr. Steven

 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Church is not about “me”…it is about “us”…at least it should be. In a recent conversation this topic came up. We all know about it, however, we don’t do anything to change it. We walk into church, we smile to those around us, and we sit, we say our prayers, and leave. Maybe when we leave, we smile back at that person and that’s it. Look how many people have been sitting next to you for years and you still don’t know their names. You know who they are, but you don’t KNOW them. Isn't that true? If so, what can we do to change it? Maybe it is time to come out of our comfort zone. Maybe this would be a good Lenten practice. In 1979 Pope Saint John Paul II visited the US shortly after becoming pope. In one of his speeches, he said that in the modern world, especially in cities, there is a tendency to anonymity. There is no longer a community, but rather a collection of individuals. He opposed that view urging the Church to become a community where individuals are not just faceless members of society, but are known, loved, and valued by God. The only way to accomplish this is through getting to know each other. There are many new faces in the Church recently that I’m afraid are not welcomed by those sitting next to them. It is not only a matter of social ethics, but why wouldn’t we welcome someone new who comes to our house? I just hope they don’t dare to sit on your spot. But, again, why wouldn’t we give our place to someone who feels a bit lost and afraid of taking someone’s seat. Let us welcome them and help them to make IC their new home. I would like to share a story with you of how this happened here at the parish. There was a man who always came by himself and sat at the same pew next to a couple who also came by themselves. One day this couple reached out to him and asked his name. Since then, they became “pew-mates,” and there a friendship was formed. This couple also reached out to the family sitting in front of them, and more friendships were formed. So much so, that they became almost a big family, participating in each other’s important moments. Recently, he passed away. He was not a stranger or anonymous. Them, along with a couple of other people were the only ones who showed up at his funeral. Isn’t that sad? Shouldn’t more people have participated in his life? This is one story, but I dare to assume that this is the case with most of us. Let this be our Lenten Mission here at IC. Let us get to know our pew-mates and beyond. Starting this week, WHEN YOU COME TO CHURCH, GREET AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO THOSE AROUND YOU even if you have to slide a couple of feet to talk to the person at the end of the pew. Let us no longer be a collection of individuals who come to the same place to do the same thing. Instead, let us become a community of brothers & sisters and not strangers. You never know what kind of friendships would be formed. Maybe you get to know a person who one day will be the governor, a nun, the pope, or even a saint. And you can contribute to their journey fulfilling their mission. Lastly, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the upcoming Jubilee talks we will have this upcoming year. We will begin on Wednesday March 12th 7-8pm. Check the website for more updates! We will have a tab with the information about Jubilee activities. God Bless, Fr. Steven