Dear Parishioners,

It was 5 years ago today that I had cancer surgery. I will have blood work done this week to make sure it has not returned but I’m very grateful that it was caught in time as it was aggressive. I’m actually grateful for the whole experience as it reminds me of how frightening such a revelation is to those of us who get a diagnosis. It also makes me fervently pray for all those who are going through treatments or living with cancer in some way. I pray that healing may come to them all. Please say a prayer now for those in this situation. Let us be mindful of all those who are sick and reach out to them to see what we can do to help. Even letting them know that we are thinking of them and praying for them is a great support. I remember being given a brown blanket with an image of St. Francis of Assisi on it which “covered” me with the prayers of those who gave it to me (an idea of the students at Padua Franciscan High School). May we cover each other with compassion and prayer and support.

We have two more baptisms taking place this weekend for Lucas Winland & Olivia Sharp. It is always a joy to baptized children into our faith and how important this sacrament is for the rest of our lives. God’s blessings on Lucas & Olivia and their family.

On February 2nd, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrated a funeral Mass for Sonia Caraballo, the sister of Eneida Ramos who is a member of our parish. Sonia suffered from Parkinsons for about 25 years yet remained a “gentle soul” who was deeply committed to her faith. She had two sons, Marcos & Miquel and 10 siblings. It was symbolic that we would have her Mass of Christian Burial on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord as she was a light to others as Jesus was the light in her life. We reflected on the prayer of Simeon in the gospel who said, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.” May Sonia rest in peace now that she has seen the salvation of the Lord.

This week we begin the holy season of Lent. Mass on Ash Wednesday will be at 8:30am (with the school children but all are welcome to attend) and at 7pm. We will also have a Word Service with the distribution of ashes at Noon especially intended for those who are working. Wednesday is also a day of fast and abstinence which means no meat and smaller meals and no eating between meals. It is always wonderful to see so many people come to church on this day to acknowledge their sinfulness and to receive the gift of God’s mercy. Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday of Lent as well as on Good Friday at 7pm. And of course our delicious Fish Fry’s begin this Friday. The menu and prices are in the bulletin and on our website. We always get great comments on the food and the reasonable prices so plan on joining us and spend time with fellow parishioners and neighbors. We will also have booklets available to take home with you this weekend which have short reflections for each day of Lent so be sure to take one on your way home today.

I am being called to perform a civic duty next week…jury duty. I did it a few years ago while here at St. Leo’s but while I needed to be present there one or two days, I was never actually called to sit on a jury as the cases were resolved out of court. I keep thinking of bible passages that may help me to be relieved of such a responsibility but ultimately I know I need to do it. So if you try to make an appointment with me and can’t, that may be the reason but I have to call each day to see if I’m expected to be there the following day. Should be interesting…

Fr. James P. Schmitz