FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Year C)
We have reached the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday. Like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, we rejoice this Sunday because Lent is almost over. The Entrance Antiphon, which we will not hear because we will sing an Entrance Chant, begins with “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who are mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” This short passage from the prophet Isaiah (cf. 66:10-11) sets the stage for today’s celebration. In both the first reading from the Book of Joshua [...]
LAETARE SUNDAY
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; Exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. (Is 66:10:11) Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is also known as Laetare Sunday. It gets this name from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon used at Mass when there is no music; you will see it quoted above. In Latin, the antiphon begins with the word “Laetare,” which, as you see above, translates into “Rejoice.” As we quickly approach the end of Lent – next week [...]
THIRD SUNDAY LENT (Year C)
Exodus 3:1 – 8a, 13 – 15 We are in the middle of Lent, our annual time of retreat. We are called, once again, to take a look at how our life reflects what we believe in God. And, as we will see in this Sunday’s readings, as we come to know God, we are called to action. We also bow down in humility and gratitude before a God who is generous beyond our understanding, always ready to forgive as he continues to call us back to him. Let’s [...]
COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA
On June 26, 2020, Fr. Ricardo Antonio Cortez Martínez, rector of the St. Óscar Arnulfo Romero seminary in Usulutan, El Salvador, sent a request to the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America for financial aid for 42 seminarians in the philosophy stage of their formation. Less than two months later, on August 7, Fr. Ricardo was found assassinated. Tragically, three priests were slain from 2019 through August 2020 in El Salvador as drug cartels control the country and drug lords feel threatened by the Church’s call to peace and [...]
FIRST SUNDAY LENT (Year C)
Deuteronomy 26:4 - 10 This past Wednesday, we embarked again on the journey of Lent, a journey toward Easter. This Sunday, as we begin the season of Lent, we hear Moses recall the various stages of Israel’s journey: Jacob’s migration to Egypt, and the events surrounding the original Passover. It then concludes with the ritual prescribed to thank God who has blessed the people Israel in their journey as it recalls both God’s care for his people in providing them with food for another year and the Passover. It [...]
Next Generation Parish Update
It has been almost a year since I wrote to you about Next Generation Parish, an initiative that the Catholic Leadership Institute is introducing to 15 select parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. You may recall that CLI is a 25-year old national apostolate that provides training and formation for the purpose of creating more vibrant communities rooted in Jesus Christ. It was founded and is still headquartered here in our archdiocese but has worked with (arch)dioceses throughout the country. We accepted CLI’s invitation to engage in this four-year process [...]