Approaching Lent

Dear Parishioners,

It's good to be back from Mexico City and the experience of being with the homeless.  We had 22 people on the mission, including our own Lisa Verana!  It was a whirlwind of events filled with intentional time with the men, women, and children of the street.  I was particularly moved by the openness of the homeless to share their stories.  You can hear and see their desire to be known, loved, and received by others and the Lord.  It was a blast to be outside at the park on Sunday, playing games and interacting with the children and families who have asked to be taken off the street and given a new life.  Many of them are now being taught the skills for life, such as nutrition and hygiene.  They are receiving counseling, going to Rehabilitation for Drug and Alcohol addiction, and working full time jobs.  God has continually provided for this Mission's success by providing Craig, its founder, with the people and means to bring hope to the poor.  In the midst of all this good presides the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe!  Our Blessed Mother's presence is palpable throughout the area where she continues to draw millions to her Son each year.  Honestly, I look forward to the next time I will visit again.  Stay tuned for another invite to come with me!

Also, while there, we have the opportunity to visit the Catholic Mall in downtown Mexico City.  These shops carry many Catholic Liturgical goods that are far more budget friendly.  I am very excited to have purchased two new Ciborium for St. Joseph Parish.  With gold prices at an all-time high, it is far simpler and cost efficient to purchase new ones.  For St. Mary's, we have a new Marian Vestment of the Sorrowful Mother.  I also bought holy cards of Our Lady of Guadalupe for our parishioners.  These holy cards have been touched to one of the nails that pierced Christ's hands/ feet on the cross.  They are in Spanish, but you can use the google translate app to pray with it as well. 🙂

A reminder that Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, February 18th.  Mass times will be at 7:00am at St. Jospeh (hopefully there is no snowstorm this year!) and 5:30pm at St. Mary.  Stations of the Cross will be 5:30pm on Fridays at St. Joseph.

In Christ,

Fr. Luke Fleck