THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Come, follow me, and they dropped everything they were doing and followed him.
The Middlers took a look at “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”--the last speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., before he died. It was April 3, 1968, and Martin was in Memphis, Tennessee, to stand with the public sanitation workers, who were striking against prejudice, discrimination, low wages and poor working conditions. There had been death threats. Martin told the crowd at the Mason Temple that there were some difficult days ahead, but he wasn’t concerned. “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land.” (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated the next day, April 4, 1968.)
When Jesus says, “Follow me,” does he mean Go like me or Be like me? With the words of Dr. King echoing in the church, the MIddlers knew the answer. It’s not drop whatever you’re doing and get going; it’s leave yourself behind and be like Jesus, which promises difficult days ahead, but also the Promised Land.
The Elementaries got to the same place, but by a different route. We played Simon Says. And we all got it. Jesus, like Simon, wants us to follow him by being just like him.

FIRST COMMUNION
Saturday
MAY 12TH
9:30 and 11:30 AM

The Sacrament of Reconciliation
&
First Penance

This year, we will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to our kids in grades 3 through 8 starting Tuesday, January 31. We will continue with the celebration of the sacrament everyday until all of the kids in those grades have had the opportunity to receive the sacrament. When this is complete, our Second Grade First Communion Kids will celebrate their First Penance in the same way, i.e., during their regular KidsRelig session. Unlike in years past, we will not have a Saturday First Penance Service with parents in attendance.

Why the change? As much as the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be a joy, we have discovered that the Saturday First Penance Service creates some anxiety for our kids. It becomes an event to worry about. We thought that if the Second Graders see that their First Penance is like that of their upper class brothers, sisters and friends and part of the everyday life of the Church, it may not be as intimidating. The Second Grade Teachers, who are preparing them for the sacrament, will be with them as they receive, and parents are not expected to attend. Of course, if you think your child needs some extra support and it would be helpful for you to be there, please let me know.

Love,
Deacon Charlie