Letter from Msgr. Schaedel for bulletin of March 19, 2000

Dear Parishioners,

Lent continues. As you notice, Father Duvelius and I are taking turns preaching all of the Masses on the Sundays of Lent.

Technically, today (March 19) is the Feast of Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and patron of Italy. However, since it lands on a Sunday, the celebration of this feast is transferred to the following day, Monday, March 20. I invite us all to attend Mass on the important feast for the Church and for our Italian Parish. We will have two Masses: Noon—Latin and 5:30 p.m.—English. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Today (Sunday) from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. is our final service for the Tridium (three weeks of prayer) in honor of Saint Joseph. Don’t forget the additional services during Lent as listed elsewhere in this bulletin. The Way of the Cross is each Friday at 6:00 p.m. It is an excellent Lenten exercise.

The Sacrament of Penance is an essential part of Lent for any Catholic. Confessions are heard before every Mass, seven days a week here at Holy Rosary.

Next Sunday, March 26, is our annual Saint Joseph’s Table at Primo Banquet Hall. It’s the Italian tradition of delicious food! We begin at Noon. Tickets are on sale after all Masses this week. I hope you can attend. Proceeds benefit Catholic Education.

Almsgiving is generous giving to those in need. During Lent, we deliberately schedule “second collections” for special purposes. It’s time to think about others, in particular those less fortunate. This weekend, our second collection is for the needs of our fellow Catholics in central and Eastern Europe. The Church has been oppressed by atheistic communism for years in those areas. Catholicism is just beginning to get on “it’s feet” in those places. They are in desperate need of our help.

Our second collection next weekend will be for the Hispanic Education Center. It now occupies our school building. Sponsored in part by the Sisters of Providence, this center provides much needed education to Spanish speaking people who must learn English. Just a few decades ago, Holy Rosary Church and School were doing this very thing for Italian immigrants who had arrived in our country. It’s our privilege to continue to do the same for immigrants now coming from Spanish-speaking countries.

Last year during Lent, someone shared with me a delightful poem. It’s by Providence Sister Margaret Kern. I’d like to share it with you this Lent:

“A Different Kind of Fasting”

Let us fast from judging others…and feast on Christ dwelling in each.

Let us fast from seeing differences…and feast on the Spirit in all life.

Let us fast from apparent darkness…and feast on the reality of Light.

Let us fast from the thoughts of illness…and feast on the healing power of God.

Let us fast from words that pollute…and feast on phrases that support and affirm.

Let us fast from discontent…and feast on gratitude.

Let us fast from worry…and feast on trust in God’s Providence.

Let us fast from complaining…and feast on appreciation.

Let us fast from hostility…and feast on non-violence.

Let us fast from bitterness…and feast on forgiveness.

Let us fast from self-concern…and feast on compassion for others.

Let us fast from discouragement…and feast on hope.

Let us fast from lethargy…and feast on enthusiasm.

Let us fast from idle gossip…and feast on prayerful silence.

Let us fast from suspiciousness…and feast on trustful relationships.

Let us fast from shadows of injustice…and feast on the Sun of Justice.

Faithfully yours in God's Providence,

Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel