I am writing this on Wednesday morning March 8th. I say that because I am going to look both backwards and forwards. Last Sunday was the First Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, it is the day when the Bishop calls the Catechumens (those to be Baptized) and the Candidates (those to be either fully initiated or received into the Church) to the Easter Sacraments.
This year the ceremony was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield and 1200 people packed the Church! We tend to focus on what happens in the local parish but as Catholics, we should never forget that we belong both to a Diocese, led by a Bishop, and to a wider Church to which we are linked by that same Bishop, in our case, Bishop Frank Caggiano. Our five candidates: Brett Sullivan, Gaye Joyce, Luisabel Rosario, Luisa Rosario and Luisana Rosario were all astounded to realize that they were now part of something worldwide.
Looking ahead, this afternoon I will be receiving the first proposal on the design for the front of the Church. So far 255 bricks have been ordered as memorials or tributes. I should have a second design proposal within days. The building and Grounds Committee will review the two proposals and the Pastoral Council will review them and make a recommendation. The bricks will arrive in May and the work will be done in early June. It is so exciting.
Meanwhile spend a few moments in prayer each day, using one of our Lenten aids. Watch for Jesus in the world around you and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit deep within you. My you continue to have a blessed Lent.
