Pastor’s Corner
Dear Sacred Heart Family,
This weekend we begin a period called “œPassion Tide.” From the Vigil Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Lent until Holy Saturday, our statues and sacred images can be veiled, according to the liturgical norms of the Mass. This reminds us that we enter into a deeper reflection on the love of God for us, poured out for us in the Passion and Death of Jesus. There are several points that help us enter into this mystery of Divine Mercy.
As we enter into this weekend, we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. The great Apostle of Ireland witnesses by his life, miracles, and legacy, to the transforming power of God at work in suffering, witness and proclaiming the Good News. Saint Patrick was enslaved by traders and brought to Ireland against his will. He managed to escape and regain his freedom. During that time, he had dreams of the people of Ireland, calling him back to serve them and bring them hope from the saving Power of Jesus. In his freedom, he returned, and labored among the Irish until his death, setting people free from all that held them back from God. His work bears fruit in our time and the faith of Patrick is the hope that makes us all Irish on March 17th.
Two days later, on Monday the 19th, we celebrate Saint Joseph. He is a noble, just and provident man of God. He too had plans, which were changed by God. He placed his freedom at the service of the Son of God, and Our Lady. Together they learned to love generously, bring hope to others, and see God at work in the Providence of their lives. He is so powerful and we will celebrate him and honor him especially on Monday. If you wish, you don’t have to, you may take a break from some of your Lenten penances on his Solemnity.
Inspired by the Holy Family and St. Patrick, we have opportunities coming to help us enter into the mastery of God’s merciful Love. On March 27th, we will have our penance service, on Tuesday of Holy Week. Visiting priests will be coming to join us to make God’s Mercy available to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and being set free from our sins. Also, on Good Friday, we begin the Novena to Divine Mercy. Our Lord spoke in private revelation to Saint Faustina, about his merciful Love. He requested a novena begin on Good Friday, leading up to the First Sunday after Easter, which we know as Divine Mercy Sunday. Brochures will be available for all of us to use.
Whether you celebrate Saint Patrick, or Saint Joseph, or Saint Faustina in a special way – or perhaps, hopefully all of them, let us enter into the saving Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus and His victorious Mercy in the coming weeks! Let us pray for one another.
In Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart,
Fr. Bjorn Lundberg