This Week: Lent I

“Tempted and Tried”  –Bp. Charles McGuire

The Bishop’s Note
Ours was a very action-packed week beginning with the clergy’s celebration of Fr. McKenna’s birthday and priestly anniversary, which were on February 8th and February 11th, respectively. It is not too often that all five of us are together in one place, so we all went out to dinner for the occasion. It was truly a nice evening. Then there was the Mardi Gras party with the school children last Tuesday after the Mass in honor of the Holy Face. Dr. Stanislowski, who is recovering nicely, ordered chicken from Raising Cane’s for everyone. St. Gertrude’s always knows how to throw a party! The family-like atmosphere here is truly uplifting.

The Sunday catechism classes seem to be going well. The children, I hear, ask a lot of good questions. That is a great sign since it means they are paying attention and are interested in the subject. One of the questions asked recently was, “Why is Our Lord called the Bridegroom?” That is a very deep question to which the answer is very mystical. The Scripture commentators say that He is the Bridegroom because He betrothed human nature, and so also the Church, in the Incarnation. He has united them to Himself by a perpetual bond of marriage. This marriage began by grace on earth and will be consummated in glory with His elect in heaven, where the eternal marriage feast of the Lamb will be celebrated. It is not an easy thing to explain in a note in the bulletin, but there you have it. Now we will see who actually reads the bulletin and if this answer was satisfactory.

The Ash Wednesday attendance was most excellent. The Fathers informed me that the early Mass attendance was comparable to the 7:30 Mass on Sundays. The evening Mass was also quite full. It was a very good start to Lent. Today we begin the first full week of this penitential season. As we follow Our Lord into the desert and witness His temptations we ought to remind ourselves again that this battle of forty days is against our passions as well as the demons of hell. It is a spiritual war. Learn how to fight against the devil from today’s Gospel. Renew your Lenten resolutions. If you have already broken them, do not be discouraged—this is always what the devil wants—but resolve once more to keep them, and ask Our Savior for the determination and fortitude to persevere in them this week. Take it day by day, and not 40 days at a time. You can do it!

Have you noticed the nice cushions at the communion rail? Some of the ladies volunteered their time and effort to fix them up so that it is a little easier on the arthritic knees of those who come to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. Thank you ladies! There is much more to be done in church. The heavy snows did a number on our roof and new leaks have been detected, particularly in our bookstore. We have to make quite a few repairs, and we do plan to get our roof fixed. Fr. Simpson is in the process of getting that taken care of.

Be assured of my prayers for each and every one of you as you continue your Lenten journey with Our Lord. Don’t forget our patroness, St. Gertrude! Pray often to her. She will obtain all that you need.

– Bishop McGuire

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