A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
Let’s Have a Great February and a Life-Changing Lent Dear Parishioners,
F
ebruary is here and Lent is right around the corner. Wednesday, Feb. 17, begins this holy season where we are each encouraged to pray, fast, and give alms as a means to our own conversion. We all need conversion and this season is a beautiful opportunity for you and your family. This Lent will look a little different with COVID restrictions still in place, so I encourage everyone to continue to be cautious if you’re taking advantage of our opportunities. The best thing you can do during Lent is to go to Confession and come to Mass. These ought to be the foundation of a good Lent, and we will continue to offer both daily and Sunday Masses and abundant Confession opportunities. Check the website and our social media for these many opportunities. We will also be praying the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent. We’re kicking off Lent with our parish mission with Fr. John Lanzrath — he was highlighted in our January newsletter. Small groups are an important way we can come to know the Lord Jesus, meet other parishioners, and “shrink” our growing parish. We want to shrink it in the sense of making it seem smaller but giving everyone an opportunity to be
in a small group. To facilitate an encounter with the Lord Jesus, we’re using the Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) Faith Study Series that focuses on our Encounter, Grow, Go model of discipleship and evangelization. Please contact Stacy Humbert about joining a CCO group. Finally, we want to highlight a ministry that most of the parish never sees (or hears) and it’s the Spanish Mass Choir. Led by Matt Cabeen and Kevin Larios, this wonderful ensemble brings glory to God with Spanish-language music for our Sunday Spanish Mass and other occasions. They practice weekly and are incredibly dedicated to the task of sacred music. All are welcome at the 1 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass. If you’re not a Spanish speaker, we can provide a guide to help you follow along. Let’s have a great February and a life-changing Lent! In Christ,
Rev. Brian O’Brien Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
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