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As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, all three Scripture Readings show the transformative power of belief in Jesus’ resurrection. Saint John tell us that we become children of God through this belief. Thomas acknowledges Jesus as Lord and God in the Gospel. The Apostles, according to our first reading, go on to create an ideal community by proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is Risen! Yes, Happy Easter to all! We are truly able to celebrate as a faith community the belief that Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave. Last year, celebrations of Easter were at a bare minimum. With the world-wide pandemic, church services were limited to “livestream.” Today, we are able to gather in our church building to celebrate the mystery of our faith: Christ has died! Christ is Risen! Christ will come again!

After sixty-one (61) years of faithful service to St. Peter Community (church, school, and cemetery) Mr. Jerry Brown is retiring. I think everyone who has any connection with St. Peter Church knows Jerry. He has not only been a faithful worker, but also has a wealth of knowledge about the cemetery and all the people who are buried in our beautiful cemetery. At a later date we will have a “farewell” Mass and reception for Jerry.

Today, the Church enters the most solemn and sacred weeks of the year—Holy Week. There are two Gospels proclaimed today. The first one proclaimed is at the Blessing of the palms, which tells of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. Riding on a borrowed colt, Jesus was hailed by the crowds as they blessed God and shouted “Hosanna!”  The second Gospel proclaimed is during the Liturgy of the Word in which we read the Passion account According to the Gospel of Saint Mark. During Holy Week, we prayerfully remember the events of Jesus’ passion and death. As we meditate on the cross, we ask again and anew what it means to make the statement of faith that Jesus, in his obedient suffering and dying, revealed himself to us as God’s Son.

If you can donate palm fronds for our Passion Sunday liturgy, please bring them to the rectory by March 25. If you have some to donate, but can’t bring them, call 536-2887.

The Altar Society’s Annual Church Cleaning for Holy Week takes place Saturday, March 27, at 8:30 am. Grab your dust cloths and buckets and share some of your time and housekeeping skills. All volunteers (including men) willing to help are welcome. Any time you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. Reservations not required – just show up...

During Lent, our Lord calls us to make a conversion of heart. Our parents, teachers, or mentors can show us the way, but then it is up to us to commit to Jesus’ mission. As we approach the days in which we remember Jesus’ suffering and death, we ask ourselves if we are willing to resolve to die to sin or to live faithfully, selflessly, and courageously in the Lord.

O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death. Amen.

Congratulations to Alden & Peggy Bienvenu for being named Family of the Month for March. Congratulations to Bryan Oubre for being named Knight of the Month for March . Congratulations to Jaiya Bailey the 7th Grade St. Peter School State KC Free Throw Contest winner. All practical Catholic gentlemen 18 years and older are invited to join our council. Contact Robert Beadle or Joel Ocmand for details. Like us also on Facebook! (Knights of Columbus 2463)

Grief can be a very lonely and isolating experience.  Everyone who loses a loved one or experiences a major transition in life may experience sadness, anger, and loneliness.  Being in the company of others who understand because they are also grieving can offer comfort and hope. A grief support group can provide a place where grieving people share their stories, and listen to others' stories, including the story of God and God’s love.  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14th at 10:00 a.m. in the Lacour Center.  If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Cheryl Entremont.  Let us be companions on your journey!      Social distancing guidelines will be observed and wearing a mask is recommended. 

As we journey together during Lent, we are at the midway point of our experience. Today is traditionally known as “Laetare Sunday” because we anticipate the joy we will feel on Easter. During the Lenten season we remain a joyful people because we believe that God loves us despite our sinfulness. God loves us so much that Jesus the Christ sacrificed Himself so that we may be redeemed and born into eternal life. We hear the famous Scripture passage today, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” [John 3:16].

During the season of Lent, we are aware of our need for mercy and forgiveness. God’s mercy and forgiveness came to full fruition in Jesus the Christ, who redeemed us by taking on our failings, our sins, our mortality. In the responsorial psalm we prayed, “God has the words of everlasting life.” As we journey during this third week of Lent, we look to God this day for words of mercy and love as we recommit ourselves to our Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

The First Eucharist Parent Meeting will be on Monday, March 1st at 7:00 P.M. in the rectory. Please note the change of meeting place. The meeting will not be in the church but in the rectory.

As we journey together during the Lenten season, the First Reading for Mass today recalls the sacrifice of Abraham. Some ask how God could be so cruel as to demand the sacrifice of a person’s child. The real message for us is the depth of Abraham’s love. He is willing to give up that which he loves most in life his child, for God. As a result of his obedience, he is given the greatest of blessings—"descendants as countless as the stars.” The Second Reading from the eighth chapter of Romans reminds us that ours is a God of love who did not spare His own Son, in His great love for us.

Each year on the First Sunday of Lent, we hear the Gospel story of the Temptation of the Lord in the desert. The Gospel of Mark today consists of only four verses. After His baptism by John, the Spirit leads Jesus to the wilderness. Mark says that Jesus survived the temptations and is ready to begin His ministry. The significance of the reference to John the Baptist’s arrest is that as John’s ministry concludes, Jesus’ ministry begins. As we journey together during this season of Lent, we too, in many ways are being led by the Spirit to the desert to search our hearts, hoping to resist what is evil and to embrace all that is good. We remember that God is faithful to us as we make our Lenten journey and through prayer, we support each other to experience the healing, forgiveness, and love of our God.

THIS CLASS IS FULL ------------St. Peter’s will have a New Lenten Series: Spiritual Excellence: The Path to Happiness, Holiness and Heaven. Catch it!! Beginning on Monday evenings Feb. 22nd - March 29th. From 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Church.

We gather as we do each Sunday as the body of Christ. Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. On this Valentine’s Day, we commit ourselves to nurturing that love for God and love for our neighbor. The readings at Mass today deal with the illness of leprosy, which was a sign of sinfulness and separation from God. In the Gospel, Jesus reaches out and touches the leper. The leper is literally not separated from God. Not even leprosy is a barrier to Jesus’ healing touch. Do not be afraid to come to the Lord our God in your need. Trust that the Lord will comfort you in times of pain and illness. Jesus, the eternal Word of God, draws near to us to heal us of every wound.

Despair and grief are part of the human condition, and are often brought on because of loss or suffering. Many of us, if not all of us, can relate to Job. At one time or another, we have felt like Job. We wonder if we will ever see happiness again. Resist the temptation to gloss over whatever may trouble you. Like Job, have the courage to raise our voice to God in prayer, sharing your disappointments and sorrows. At the same time, pray for the kind of healing that comes only through the Lord. As followers of Jesus we are called to live in Hope.

This year for Ash Wednesday, because of the pandemic, ashes will be sprinkled on the top of the head to. If you haven’t done so, please read the article in the last edition of the Clarion Herald.