​Second Sunday of Lent

Dear parish family and friends of St. Julia,
We will hear proclaimed in our Gospel from Matthew 17 this weekend Peter uttering the words to Jesus: "Lord, it is good for us to be here."  

Amen!  How very true this is.  How very good it is that we can once again gather, worship, and pray together.  How very good it is that we can worship freely without any fear.  How very good it is that we can help our sisters and brothers in need in our community through our St. Vincent de Paul donations, food bins, and homeless outreach.  How very good it is that we have St. Peter Catholic Elementary School and Denis Morris Catholic High School in our community.  How very good it is that we have our students joining us for mass from Brock University and Niagara College.  How very good that we have a vibrant Catholic Women's League.  How very good it is that we have our beautiful and gifted choir.  How very good that we have active volunteers and ministers who share of their time and talents.  How very good that we have a beautiful number of candidates and catechumens that will be welcomed into the church this Easter.  How very good that we have been able to undertake project after project in our community to beautiful our grounds and this church, and ensure it will care for generations to come.  How every good it is that we have a generous community that makes all this possible.  How very good it is that we see our community growing in attendance at mass.  How very good it is that we can grow in our faith together at mass and in faith studies (returning soon).  How very good it is that we have the sacraments, where we can encounter Christ.  How very good it is that this parish has been gifted with each one of you.  The list goes on and on and on.

How very good is to know that our Lord is present in all that we do here at St. Julia.  Guided by the Holy Spirit, we look forward to the future as missionary people and disciples of Christ.

At this moment, how very good it is that we are in the season of Lent.  Through our lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and giving alms, may we too seek out those quiet moments to look within and also to give thanks.  Amen for the gift of our faith, this season of purification, and for this community.

Indeed Lord, it is good for us to be here.

May God bless each of you and those that you love, and I look forward to seeing you at mass this weekend on the Second Sunday of Lent.

Fr. Greg