St. Joseph the Worker

Dear SJW Parishioners:

Welcome to the 5^th Sunday of Lent and the 5^th week in our journey of reform and renewal.  There is still time to change our hearts and minds more to the Lord. 

In the Gospel for this weekend, Lazarus is raised from the dead by Jesus.  What a powerful scene of God’s power in Jesus Christ.  What a beautiful picture of death giving way to life.  What an image of hope we are given in the calling of Lazarus from the tomb and in his new life.

Let us reflect on the name LAZARUS to see how it can challenge us for the week ahead—

L  What sin do we need to LEAVE behind right now?

A  Do we seek ABSOLUTION in the sacrament of reconciliation?

Z  Do we have a ZEST for a greater faith life?

A  Will we ADMIT to Jesus our worst sin?

R  Do we RELY on our faith in tough situations?

U  How often do we USE prayer to calm us?

S  Do we offer up our SUFFERINGS for the poor souls in purgatory?

May we all use the raising of Lazarus from the dead as a call for us to die to sin and rise to a new life in Christ!

Your fellow Lenten journeyer,

Father Joe