This Sunday at Mass we celebrate Laetare Sunday.  The Latin word Laetare means ‘rejoice’ and its origin is rooted in the Introit (opening chant) for the Fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Jerusalem: “Rejoice, O Jerusalem and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.” 
 
Laetare Sunday marks the midpoint of Lent and the rose-coloured vestments that I will be wearing at Mass give us a glimpse at the light of the end of the 40-day tunnel of penance.  Yes, Lent is a penitential season.  It is a time that we allow the spot light to shine in on our hearts, looking at the nooks and crannies to see what needs to pushed out, that is sin, in order to fully allow Christ to enter our hearts at Easter, with the new Easter light, the true light of Christ.  This is what this Sunday is all about.  Lent is not all about being somber.  This Sunday we are called to rejoice in the reality of Easter – the promise of Easter – the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 
At this midpoint I ask myself the question, “How has my season of Lent been going?”  I ask you the same question.  If you can say it has been a good season and that you have experienced God’s graces and blessings, that you feel closer to Christ, that you have experienced spiritual renewal, then thanks be to God!  If you say it has been a little rough, that your Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving have fallen short of what you set out to embrace at the beginning of the journey, fear not.  We are at the midpoint.  Consider this a reboot, a new start.  Rejoice in the fact that our God is a God of second chances and fresh starts.  That is what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all about.  Make the most of these next three weeks by striving to realign your heart with the heart of Christ, returning to Christ through prayer, and take the time for your spiritual renewal.  Remember that Christ fell three times carrying the cross.  Now we too get back up, as people of hope.
 
That is what we must remember at this moment.  We may think how can I even utter the words rejoice at this moment in time with all that is taking place in Ukraine?  It is our faith that we turn to for strength.  We unite ourselves in prayer with our sisters and brothers of Ukraine.  We place our trust in God.  As Christ conquered sin and death by rising from the dead.  For that and so many more reasons, we remain people of hope.
 
May God bless you and those that you love.
Fr. Greg

We as a community unite our prayers with the people of Ukraine.  Below you will information regarding our parish effort to provide support, prayers that can be offered, Pope Francis’ consecration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to Russia and Ukraine, and more.
 
The donation efforts of our parish reflects putting our faith into action.  Our Gospel for this weekend illuminates for us that we must produce good works, and that our lives must radiate the presence and love of God in our actions.  The Scriptures tell us that faith without actions is dead faith. 
 
This weekend, we will transition to distributing communion at the traditional time within Mass.  So why stay after receiving communion?
 
This brings us to the blessing and dismissal at the end of Mass.  The final words, proclaimed by the deacon (when one is present) or the priest, “go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life” are the marching orders to produce good works, and for our actions to mirror what we hear at Mass by the example of Jesus.  This is the link between our celebration and our mission.  We come to listen to the Word of God and to be fed by the Eucharist, and then we go out into the world, to announce the Gospel, and to put our faith into action.
 
As we continue our Lenten journey together here at St. Julia, may we be mindful of our mission and that we are eyes, hands, and feet of our Lord, called to mission to carry on the works that Jesus began some 2000 years ago.
 
May God bless and keep safe each of you and those that you love.
Fr. Greg

​Last weekend Christ took us with him into the dessert.  Our 40 days continue as we journey through this season of Lent together as a parish family.  This weekend we witness the transfiguration of Christ in our Gospel.
 
In a most beautiful and special way, every time we come to gather for Mass, a transformation takes place.  As we listen to Sacred Scripture, we are transformed by the Word of God.  As we humbly approach to receive Christ under the form of bread, through the eyes of faith we know it is Christ.  Stop and think about it.  Christ is in our midst, His body, blood, soul and divinity.  We come to be transformed and to be nourished.  That is why we come to Mass, for His real presence can be found nowhere else.
 
It is my prayer that the celebration of the Eucharist draws each of us closer to God, and to one another. 
Emerging from a pandemic and now watching the devastation unfold in the Ukraine, we need one another.  We need Christ to be refueled.  And we need Christ to transform hearts in the world in which we live.
 
May God bless and keep safe each of you and those that you love.
Fr. Greg

Prayer.  It is how we communicate with God.  As we begin this season of Lent together as a parish family, there is so much to pray for.  This week’s newsletter is filled with many prayers.  Prayers for the people of Ukraine.  For our leaders.  The request for prayers for our catechumens and candidate from our parish preparing to be welcomed into the church this Easter.  For those who are sick, and for those who have gone before us.  I have also included an article from America Magazine “Praying for Peace in Ukraine – Even When it Feels Useless.”  As you will read in the article, Jesus over and over again in scripture says “Peace be with you.”  That is my prayer for you.
 
Today is the World Day of Prayer, a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.
 
May we continue to unite all of our prayers together as we pray for peace.  When we may find it difficult to pray, may our prayers lift one another up. 
 
May God bless and keep safe each of you and those that you love.
Fr. Greg