To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony:
What a Story: We are participants in the greatest drama imaginable! How easily we forget this, though, when wearied and worn by the anxieties and perplexities of life. Here’s a reminder for you. God is all-good, all-knowing and all-loving. He created everything that is visible or invisible from an intention of pure love. The human person is God’s greatest creation. You and I are the apple of God’s eye. Sadly, sin ruptured our relationship with God. Sin – Adam’s sin, Eve’s sin, my sin, your sin – has brought suffering and death into the human experience. God would not let this stand, though, because he loves us. Jesus, the very word made flesh, took on our human existence and paid the price for our sins. By his death on the cross, life was restored. Still, living in time, you and I must make a decision for or against Christ. Our destiny is eternal life in the paradise we call heaven, or eternal death in the place of despair we call hell. God wants all to be saved. The evil one – Satan – wants all to be damned. Christ is our Victor, our Savior, and our Defender. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).” Christ, we thank you! Lord Jesus, we praise you!
You Go, St. Joe School: St. Joseph Catholic School is a place of so much joy and that joy speaks volumes! The smiles that are so readily evident on the faces of students and staff alike give evidence of the really good things that are going on there. Catholic education is so much more than reading and math and science. The students at St. Joe’s are being led toward the one thing that matters most – friendship with Jesus Christ! Catholic Schools Week is being celebrated throughout the nation this week. Here in Warren, we can rightly give thanks to have St. Joseph Catholic School. The school is growing. St. Joe’s is thriving. I want to publicly praise the teachers and staff. Each of them could make more money in the public school system, but from their heart and from their own love of the Lord, they are pouring themselves out for our families and children. Truly, they are making an eternal difference in the lives of our kiddos. Please pray for the school, its staff, and its students. Also, I encourage young families to consider St. Joe’s School when you make your educational decisions. If you want your children to be in a place where they know themselves to be accepted and loved, St. Joseph School is the place for you!
Lenten Mission Details: If you have not already cleared your calendar for this year’s Lenten Mission, please do so. It is coming up quickly - February 20-22! Fr. Mike Polinek, our Mission Preacher, is a great priest and I look forward to his words of wisdom over the course of the Mission evenings. His stories of working in the pet section of Walmart are always entertaining. More than being entertained, though, we want to grow in our love for Jesus. Fr. Mike loves Jesus! Tuesday night of the Mission will feature Eucharistic Adoration. On Wednesday evening, several priests will be here to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thursday night is the feast of “The Chair of Peter:” Fr. Mike will offer Mass, the children’s choir will provide the music, and a social will take place in the gathering space after Mass. I would love to pack the church each evening. I promise that the Mission will be worth your time!
Come, Holy Spirit: Our 35 Warren Catholic Community candidates for confirmation our on retreat today. Members of the National Evangelization Team (NET), headquartered in Minnesota, are here in town to lead the day. Being a kid in our culture is brutally difficult at times. When you are a Catholic kid trying to authentically live out your faith, it can be even more difficult. Please pray for these young people, the sons and daughters of our parishes. Your prayers make a real difference!
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer – Pray for us!
Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!
St. Anthony – Pray for us!
St. Joseph – Pray for us!
Fr. Steve