From the Pastor's Desk (3/22/26)

From the Pastor's Desk
3/22/26

“Lazarus, Come Forth!”
In John’s Gospel (11:1-45), this is the climax of Jesus’ miracles but an expensive one because it cost Jesus his life. This miracle of raising Jesus from the dead was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for Jesus’ opponents. This miracle turned on the ignition that would lead to Jesus’ arrest and death. It must have been an awesome, magnificent moment, to see Jesus facing the tomb and commanding “Lazarus, come forth!” Suddenly, out of the shadows, a bound body comes back to life and is set free. Jesus says, “Untie him and let him go free.” And Lazarus comes back to life and is set free. It is a splendid example of Jesus’ power over life and death. When we place ourselves in the hands of Christ and his truth, we start to emerge from the darkness. The bonds around us by which we are bound are loosened as grace enters our life. It is the moment when we open ourselves to the power of Christ. These are moments when Jesus calls out to us. He calls us from our tombs of sin, isolation, anxiety, self-absorption and a host of behaviors which bind us. We know that Jesus can bring people to new life. The history of the Church and of every parish is filled with empty tombs. Jesus can do that for you and me. Jesus is the Resurrection and the life, our Resurrection and our life! (Fr. S. Joseph Krempa)
 
A Prayer for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Christ Jesus, Lord of life and death, give me your Holy Spirit to keep always before my soul the faith in your Resurrection, the reflection of the light of endless day, which we shall see when we are with you in your Father’s house. Amen. 
 
Lenten Wednesday Evening Mass Guest Homilists
This week, we welcome Father Joseph M. Mele, a retired priest of the diocese, as our fifth and final Celebrant and Homilist of our Wednesday Evening Lenten Mass Series. Father Mele will be preaching on The Cross: Salvation & Newness of Life in Christ on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 PM at Our Lady of Fatima Church.
 
Receiving God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
We are each called to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the season of Lent as a means of experiencing God’s mercy on a very personal level. May each of us seek the healing presence of Christ in this sacrament as an opportunity to go deeply into our soul to eradicate any sinful tendencies that have accumulated over the last year. We are all prone to selfishness, greed, envy, gossip, arrogance, and lack of trust in God. Now is the time to address all of the things that we think, say, and do that are not keeping with the person that God is calling us to be. May we recall the words of Pope Francis: “Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the center once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy with their won hands. For every penitent, it will be a source of true interior peace.” Prepare your heart for Holy Week and Easter by attending the Parish Lenten Penance Service taking place this coming Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 PM, at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Four priests will be available to hear confessions. 
 
Lent: A Season of Fasting and Feasting
Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ living in them. 
Fast from harsh words; Feast on words that build up others.
Fast from discontent; Feast of gratitude. 
Fast from anger; Feast on patience. 
Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; Feast on God’s care.
Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth. 
 
Liturgical Ministry Opportunities at MQSP
We continue to seek additional parishioners to assist us in the following liturgical ministries: Sunday Mass Lector, Sunday Mass Altar Server (male & female/grade 4+), Funeral Mass Adult Server (male & female), and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (at Mass and to the Homebound). If you feel called to one of these ministries, please contact me at [email protected]. May we remember that service to our parish community, especially in these very important liturgical ministries, is a necessary and vital part of being a disciple of Christ. Please consider serving your parish!
 
Saint Michael Hymnals
If you donated a Saint Michael Hymnal in memory of a loved one and would like to pick up your hymnal, please contact Judi in the Parish Office (742-775-6363). Please have the following information ready when calling: (A) the specific church in which your hymnal was placed and (B) the name of the loved one on the memorial plate. Once this information has been provided, your hymnal will be retrieved and brought to the Parish Office. It can be picked up Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. 
 
Taking the DMI Survey
Have you taken the Disciple Maker Index Survey yet? You have until next Sunday, Palm Sunday, March 29, to complete this important survey. Details are in today’s bulletin. Take it today!!