St. Joseph the Worker

Parishioners of SJW:

Happy Week 4 of Lent!  The 40 days are quickly passing us by.  But, we still have adequate time to immerse ourselves into this season of reform and renewal.

This 4^th Sunday of Lent is called “LAETERE” Sunday, our Lenten Sunday of REJOICING.  Why?  We are over halfway through our Lenten journey, ever closer to Holy Week and the Easter season.  And that is cause to rejoice!   Jesus entered into Jerusalem to give His life for our very own.  He went to Calvary to save our souls.  He rose to give us eternal life.  How could one not rejoice and be happy with a Savior like that?

This Laetere Sunday should lead us to reflect on how we live our faith.  Are we truly disciples of Jesus who are happy?  Are others able to see and feel the joy in our hearts and souls?  Are our hearts and souls filled with happiness in the first place?

The world today has many problems and areas of concern---war and strife, famine and poverty, human trafficking and abuse, crime and violence, and much more.  BUT, there are areas of gladness---people helping people, prayers for the Ukraine and other troubled sites, Christians witnessing their love in nursing homes and shelters and schools, homeless individuals being cared for by compassionate caregivers. 

We need to be like the latter examples above.  We are very able to spread the JOY of Christ.  We should be a source of JOY to all we meet, even if our own little world is not perfect and has some problems.  Nothing puts you in a better mood than seeing someone smile!  Wouldn’t you agree?

As one priest says in his bulletin column each week---KEEP SPREADING JOY!

Your Laetere pastor and Lenten journey mate,

Father Joe

P.S.

On Tuesday, March 29^th, there will be a Lenten Communal Reconciliation service at 6:00pm at Little Flower Church on Stevenson Dr.  They have invited us to share in this evening of mercy and forgiveness, as we invited them for our Advent Communal service.  Please come and be reconciled with the Lord and one another.