| The church is changing and so too is the face of St. Mary's. We are in the midst of a
techno explosion. Recently we have LANed the rectory. We are on-line and we have our own
e-mail site. The next step is interactive. Our Q&A page will enable you the
parishioner to ask questions of the parish staff and receive answers. There will be a
voice link that enables you to hear the Word of God broken open in the Sunday homilies
from the Pastor, Parochial Vicar or Deacon. We are living in exciting times, Lent is our
personal springtime, a time for rebirth and renewal, a time when we meet God face to face.
The Lord calls us to conversion so that we may change and grow. The web offers us the
ability to encounter God amidst the chaos of techno-babble. Christ comes alive in a real
way and challenges us to trust in God's strong hand.
When did you last notice your hands? Take a good look. Are they wrinkled from age? Are
they tender from youth? Are they calloused from work? Are they dishpan hands? Think of all
the things your hands do. Next time you are reading, notice how they turn the page, how
they assist you in even the simplest of chores. How would you brush your teeth without
your hands? Hands are wonderful gifts. Imagine for a moment how difficult life would be
without hands. It's all too easy for us to take our hands for granted until we are
debilitated by arthritis, disease or other illness.
God's strong hands free us from bondage. The mighty arm of God is a symbol of strength
and protection. Like the Israelites who were led out of slavery from Egypt, we are held in
bondage by our sins, by our own preoccupation with our own agenda. We fail to recognize
the hand of God which gently leads us home. The same hand held out to us in friendship and
consolation. I pray this Lent that you will open your hands and your hearts to God.
If you've been away from the Church, I personally invite you to come home. To be
reconciled with God and to experience the healing forgiveness of Jesus Christ in the
Sacrament of Penance. If you want to come and talk the door is opened. Come visit us for
Soup and Scripture. Perhaps your in need of a retreat, we have that too from March 15-17
from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in the Church. The Sacrament of Penance will be offered on Saturdays
from 3:00 - 3:30 PM and the evening of March 17th 1998 in the gym at 7:00 PM. Follow the
words of Christ, "come back to me with all your heart, don't let fear keep you from
God. " Jesus, welcomes you with open arms and so do I. May Christ be at the center of
your life now and forever.
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