Father Scott is on vacation so Jennifer Ibach our Pastoral Associate has written a letter this week.

Dear Families,

     We are almost halfway through the Lenten season.  How is your journey going?  As Fr. Armando reminded us on Ash Wednesday, this is one of the most joyful times of the liturgical year?  Joyful?  Lent?  This may seem counterintuitive for many of us.  As our Around the Lenten Circle small guide said in Week 1, “We may be tempted to think and act as if Lent is all about us…a time to “give something up”…For some, Lent has tended to be a time to feel worse about themselves – focusing on their sinfulness…But what if instead of thinking of Lent as a self-improvement program…or put[ting] ourselves and our transgressions in the center of the picture with God as the picture frame, can we look at God in the center of the painting with ourselves as the border?  Let’s not make sin the focus.  Instead, let’s make God’s unexpected and amazing response of mercy and compassion the focus.”  Joyful indeed.   

     How can we deepen our Lenten experience?  This Friday, March 17, you are invited to join us for Stations of the Cross at 6pm at St. Edward followed by a meal provided by our Filipino Community.  Come pray, share in fellowship and learn about Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl.  We will also have a speaker at St. George that same evening as part of our Confirmation retreat.  Everyone is invited to listed to Daniel Oberreuter from Portland-based band The Thirsting share on “What Can Faith do for You?” from 6-8pm. There is still time to sign up for Day of Service on March 25 too.  This is a great way to serve others during the Lenten Season.  Register at: https://bit.ly/2023DayofService  Finally, we invite you to avail yourself of God’s infinite love and mercy at one of our Reconciliation Services this week:

March 14: 6:00pm at St. Paul (no 6:00pm Mass)
March 15: 7:00pm at St. Edward (no 6:00pm Mass)
March 16: 7:00pm at St. Peter

Peace,

Jennifer Ibach
Pastoral Associate