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St.
Leonard Catholic Parish
The Fifth Sunday of Lent: God's
Mercy and Forgiveness
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This
weekend we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent. We are only one week
away from Palm Sunday and the reading of the Passion of our Lord. In
our Gospel reading we hear the story of a woman accused of adultery.
We are reminded of God’s willingness to forgive sin and offer a
second chance to a sinner. Jesus calls on us to show the same
mercy to those around us who may have sinned and to live our lives in
the full knowledge that we too have sinned and been forgiven.
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“Let
the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at
her.”
(John
8:7) With these words Jesus puts the whole crowd on the spot. For
which of them is without sin? It turns out none of them, as no one
speaks out. The woman is left alone with Jesus, and He does not
condemn her. Instead, He tells her to, “Go, and from now on do not
sin anymore.” (John 8:11) The message for us in this story is that we
should not be self-righteous and pass condemnation on to others when
God is calling them lovingly to place their faith in Him. For whom
among us has never sinned?
We
need to become forgiving people, ready for reconciliation. Let us
learn to acknowledge our sins, ask God’s forgiveness every day and
when our family members, friends and neighbours have gone astray, let
us extend the same forgiveness to them. We need to learn to hate the
sin but love the sinners, showing them Jesus’ compassion and
collaborating with God to make our own lives positive examples of
Christ’s love.
Speaking
of reconciliation, I encourage you to make a good Confession this
Lent. This coming Friday (April 8th) I am offering a
Lenten Day of Confessions. I will be available to hear your
Confession during the following hours: 10 am – 12 pm, 1 pm - 4 pm, 7
pm – 9 pm.
Saint
(Mother) Teresa of Calcutta often called the Sacrament of Confession
a “Sacrament of Love and a Sacrament of Forgiveness.” She would often
say to others, “Only in confession can we go in as sinners with sin
and come out as sinners without sin.” It really is the best way to
prepare for a Blessed Holy Week and a Glorious Easter!
I
hope to see you at Mass this weekend as we continue our Lenten
journey together.
God bless you folks, Father Gerard
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▶ Isaiah 43:16-21 - Promise of restoration
▶ Philippians 3:8-14 - Breaking with the past
▶ John 8:1-11 - The
woman accused of adultery
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Pope
Francis Apologizes to Canada's Indigenous Peoples
The
Pope on Friday met with Canadian Indigenous delegations, expressing
his profound sorrow and asking for pardon for the suffering inflicted
by some members of the Catholic Church. He also spoke of his
intention to visit Canada. To watch his full apology click here.
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"See,
I am Doing Something New!"
Boston
philosopher Peter Kreeft writes, "Don't try to figure out God in
advance. He is utterly unpredictable."
Jesus
the prophet and miracle-worker confounds the Pharisees when they
throw the woman caught in adultery before him. Jesus refuses to
condemn her, stating, "Let the one among you who is without sin
be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus
constantly subverted what the ancient Israelites expected their
awaited messiah to be. He also works wonders still to this day
through his Holy Spirit, for those of us open to being surprised. We
cannot put God in a box. He constantly calls us to new adventures and
new ways of seeing. St. Paul considers every previous delight of his
life--power, pleasure, Roman citizenship--as "rubbish"
compared to knowing and living in Jesus Christ.
In
this last week of Lent, how will you be open to God surprising you
this week?
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Consider watching this clip from
Bishop Barron's newest series "The Creed" on Jesus'
unexpected Lordship and pondering this question:
- What does the name "Jesus" mean?
- What was this "New David" meant to
accomplish in his Kingdom?
- Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery,
"Go, and from now on do not sin anymore." What
sins do we need to leave behind to live anew in Christ?
“Act and God
will act, work and He will work.”
St. Joan of
Arc
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Returning to Mass: When the Covid pandemic began more than two years
ago, all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall were freed
from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Through
the magic of technology we were able to “participate” in Mass on our screens
and devices. Technology kept us connected even if in a very limited
way. However, livestreamed masses were a temporary alternative. With
social distancing requirements and mask mandates lifted, the
dispensation from attending Sunday Mass will be lifted as of April 9,
the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass. Those who cannot attend Mass because of
age, sickness, disability or other grave reasons would still be
excused, as always. The Mass is the source and summit of our Catholic
faith. It is where we gather as a community to hear God’s words and
where we truly meet Jesus in the Eucharist. Come back to Mass. He is
waiting for you and so are we. Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall
Holy Week Celebrations April 10 –
April 17
Easter
Sunday 9 am, 11 am
- Saturday: 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Physical
distancing, Mass registration, and masks are no longer required.
Regular Confession times
Saturday 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
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How Do I Go
To Confession?
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All
Weekend and Weekday Masses from St. Leonard's will be Livestreamed at
the time that they are scheduled to our YouTube Channel. To visit
this site click here.
The 4:30 pm Saturday Mass will be recorded and made available on
Saturday evening here.
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Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon
Bishop
Barron’s Sunday Sermons will air every Sunday morning at 8:15 AM
Eastern Time. Click on Bishop Barron’s YouTube channel and then chose the Sunday you wish to view.
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Take this Opportunity for YOUR voice
to be heard:
We
encourage each of you to reflect on the links that have been sent
over the weeks via our parish bulletin & e-newsletter. Focus your
own reflection around our growing as a Parish – doing better
together. Encourage others to think about the difference they could
make personally if they really listened to others and reached out to
the lonely. Put the focus on building community rather than the final
report. We all have a role to play. If we believe nothing will change
then challenge ourselves and others to do our part and get involved –
begin with prayer and discernment.
The
Synod survey for all St. Leonard Parishioners will go out via
Flocknote on April 18th. You are invited to respond confidentially
any time before April 28th. There will also be hard copy surveys at
the Easter masses.
Have
Faith that YOUR voice matters!!!
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Stewardship
"What can I give back to God
for the blessings he's poured out on me?"
(Psalm
116:12) If you are able to provide financial support to St.
Leonard's, please consider making a donation online or by Interac
e-transfer. You can also mail your envelope to the Church at the
following address: St. Leonard Parish, 5332 Long Island Road,
Manotick, ON, K4M 1E8.
Thank You for Your Financial
Support!
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If
you wish to schedule an appointment with Father Gerard or for any
other administrative requirements please contact the Parish Office by
email (office@stleonardsparis...)
or by phone at (613) 692-4254.
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