Believing that each student has an inherent dignity, created in God’s image, Sue’s faith directed her consistent efforts and sacrifices for the students and families, the teachers, staff, and volunteers. As Sue retires from her position as our Principal at the end of this school year, she remains an “educator” at heart, who significantly impacted the faith and academics of our Sacred Heart School. In this past week we have hired Elizabeth Pavlik as our next Principal. Presently she is fulfilling her position as the elementary principal at Franklin Elementary School in Pullman, Washington. She will be following her husband, Ron, back to the Midwest. He remains one of Coach Rogers’ football assistants, newly hired at Iowa State University. They have two children ages three and one, and ‘dad and mom’ are anxious to be closer to family in our Midwest. Liz’s hometown is York, Nebraska while her husband hails from the Hoosier State.

Thank you to those who donated towards the new Paschal Candles for each church. They will be properly blessed at the Easter Vigil and during the Sunday morning Easter Masses. At St. Malachy the new Paschal Candle is in memory of the Living & Deceased of the Wade & Ortmann Families. 

 At St. John church the new Paschal Candle is in memory of the Living & Deceased of the Irey Family. At Sacred Heart church the Paschal Candle is in memory of the Living & Deceased of the Krumm Family and the Living & Deceased of the Whiteing Family.

In the first interview following his election to the papacy in 2013, Pope Francis was asked “Who is Jorge Bergolio?“I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition,” he replied.  Jesus knew the sinfulness and the possibilities of humanity. He came to offer mercy, to heal, bring forth hope and ultimately ‘peace’ within our lives; echoed in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” 

In 2017 Pope Francis shared words of inspiration for all Christians approaching the opportunities of these forty days: “Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.” As we incorporate ‘fasting’ into our forty days of renewal, we must consider the words of St. John Chrysostom, the fourth century archbishop of Constantinople: “No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others.

So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.” 

Our moral obligations these Forty Days of Lent: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we are fasting, only one full meal, two simple meals, no eating between meals, and abstaining from meat products. On Fridays during the forty days, abstaining from meat. Strengthening our Catholic-Christian faith these forty days, we are called to actively renew our daily “prayer” life, our participation in the Sacraments; essentially, the time and presence we offer back to God. When, where and how do we pray each day? Practice the Christian gift of “almsgiving,” by giving out of our need to the ‘Rice Bowl’ supporting Catholic outreach overseas; or supporting local charities with our donations and time. And incorporating a form of “fasting” into our forty days from certain foods, drinks, or habits, or negative behavior. Fasting may also include doing something positive or sharing your time with a certain charity or person in need.     

“O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant. Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen.” 

(St. Ephraim the Syrian, 4th century writer and theologian.)           

 God Bless,Fr. Tim  

  FYI: "Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day." (Liz Bowen)