Reflection

"Challenging... Inspiring...Faith Building!"

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Weekend Mass Times:

Saturday Vigil - 6 pm

Sunday - 8 am, 10 am and 5.30 pm

Please follow the social distancing directions at the Cathedral.

Holy Week Masses

Holy Thursday 6 pm

Good Friday - Stations of the Cross 11 am

- Mass 3 pm

Holy Saturday Solemn Easter Vigil 7 pm

Easter Sunday 8 am, 10 am, 5.30 pm

REFLECTION

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18)

Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love

In Pope Francis' Message for Lent 2021 he reminds us all that the death of Our Lord Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of his Father's will. He reminded us that the message given to the disciples by Jesus was to join in his mission of salvation of the world.

Pope Francis asks:-

'In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Christ.

Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus (cf. Mt 6:1-18), enable and express our conversion. The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care for the poor (almsgiving), and childlike dialogue with the Father (prayer) make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity.'

PRAYER

Almighty and eternal God,

when you sent Jesus, your Son,

into the world you gave us all an example to follow:

in humble obedience he took upon himself a body like ours

and gave himself up to death on the cross.

In your mercy, grant us the grace to learn

from the example of His passion and the share

in the glorious light of his resurrection.

Amen