Dear Sacred Heart Family and Friends,

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as “Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday,” expressing the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection of our Lord. Today’s readings remind us that it is God who both gives us proper vision in body as well as in soul and instructs us that we should be constantly on our guard against spiritual blindness.

Presenting the miracle of Jesus’ giving of sight to a man born blind, today’s Gospel teaches us the necessity of being willing to have our eyes opened by faith, and warns us that those who assume they see the truth are often blind, while those who acknowledge their blindness are given clear vision. To live as a Christian is to see and to grow continually, gaining clearer vision about God, about ourselves and about others. Our Lenten prayers and sacrifices should help to heal our spiritual blindness so that we can look at others, see them as children of God, and love them as our own brothers and sisters, saved by the death and Resurrection of Jesus.

Peter Marshall, the former chaplain to the United States Congress used to pray, “Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.” Let us pray for the grace to see and experience the presence of a loving and forgiving God.

Beautification Day was a great blessing for our parish and school. We thank the many volunteers who gave of their time, talent and treasures. We especially thank Paul Valliere for his many hours of dedication to coordinating this event.

In Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr. James CMI

Faith Direct enables parishioners to make your Church contributions through either direct debit from your checking/savings account or through your credit/debit card. Please join me in enrolling by visiting www.faithdirect.net to enroll securely online. Our parish code is FL766.