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Today’s Gospel is about the woman caught in adultery and is about to be stoned to death.

It is a tense moment – for both the woman and even for Jesus. He bends down and begins writing on the ground. He looks up at the men and says, “Let the one among you who is without sin, be the first to a stone.â€They departed one at a time. What did he write on the ground, we all wonder. Jesus changes the tension into a life-giving moment. There is much to be learned from this encounter. How would you have handled it? Jesus is indeed a great teacher, by his insight, by his way of reacting, by his ability to “see through†a situation and bring out the truth.

This Friday, April 12, plan on coming to the Encounter Program for an evening of spiritual inspiration and enrichment. There will be music and Sacred Scripture. Tickets are available online and at the Front Desk. It will be the perfect preparation for Holy Week.

Many people ask me: “When is the cut off date to register for the 2019 France Pilgrimage and the 2020 Passion Play trip?†We generally have 44 people on a pilgrimage and both are over half filled at this time. When either is filled, that is the cut off date. Brochures are available at the Front Desk and online by e-mailing me. Filling out the registration form, a copy of your passport and a deposit of $500 reserves a place for you on the France Pilgrimage. Filling out the registration form, a copy of your passport and a deposit of $800 reserves a place for you for the Passion Play/Alpine trip.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

Chapter 3: In the Light of the Master

We may think that we give glory to God only by our worship and prayer or simply by following certain ethical norms. It is true that the primacy belongs to our relationship with God, but we cannot forget that the ultimate criterion on which our lives will be judged is what we have done for others. Prayer is most precious, for it nourishes a daily commitment to love. Our worship becomes pleasing to God when we devote ourselves to living generously and allow God’s gift, granted to prayer, to be shown in our concern for our brothers and sisters.

Similarly the best way to discern if our prayer is authentic is to judge to what extent our life is being transformed in the light of mercy. For “mercy†is not only an action of the Father; it becomes a criterion for ascertaining who his true children are. Mercy “is the very foundation of the church’s life.â€

Luke’s Gospel for this Sunday is very familiar to us, but one sentence stands out at the beginning: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.†This sentence speaks of the way that Jesus moved among the people in the towns and villages where he traveled. His non-judgmental and welcoming approach spoke clearly of the way that He believed God wanted Him to deal with the variety of people that he met along the way. To show what He believed, Jesus then told the parable of the Prodigal Younger Son, or the Generous Father, or the Prodigal Older Son. Each of these individuals had their positive points, but also very evident weak points. Don’t each of us have the same? This is a good parable for us to meditate on during the week.

Starting last Sunday and continuing through next Sunday, we will participate in the Scrutinies at the 5:00 PM Mass. While these are meant for those in the RCIA, it is good for us to enter into the spirit, asking God to remove from us those negative, selfish atti- tudes and habits that we all have. The second reading from today’s Mass says: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation… And all this is from God.†We want to make ourselves open to that transforming power that will make us “a new creation.†God doesn’t force this on us, but waits for us to want to be open to receive this gift. This gift is meant for you and me. Continue to pray for those preparing to be received into the church at the Easter Vigil.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

On February 15, 2019, 28 adventurous Catholics from St. Francis of Assisi bravely crossed the Hudson River and traveled to the “wilds” of Central New Jersey for a weekend of prayer and community. The event marked the St. Francis Volunteer Retreat at the Loyola Jesuit Center in the quaint hamlet of Morristown, New Jersey.

The center is located on the sprawling former estate of the Foote Family, replete with mahogany and marble staircases, crystal chandeliers, English gardens, and outdoor Stations of the Cross – all majestically set on 30 acres of woodland. Loyola provided the perfect backdrop for spiritual renewal and reflection for the dynamic group of “cityfied” parishioners.

Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M. presided over Morning and Evening Prayer, a Reconciliation Service, and Sunday Mass. Music was provided by Eric Sweeney, a member of the St. Francis Choir. The retreat was organized by Joseph Nuzzi, Director of Evangeliza- tion at St. Francis, with the goal of gathering together volunteers from the RCIA, Young Adult, Liturgical, Hospitality, LGBTQ, Migrant Center, and Filipino ministries at St. Francis.

The weekend’s theme was “Passing the Baton of Faith.” Joe, assisted by Fr. Andrew, Ed Trochimczuk, Director of Volunteer Ministry, and Jennifer Wiler (RCIA and Young Adult team member), asked those gathered to reflect in their journals and their small groups on their journey of Faith. Share how the faith came to you. Who are the people who have helped you come to know God and Christ? Who do you take inspiration from today? How grounded do you feel in your faith right now?

As the weekend came to an end, the mood of participants was joyful and inspired. New friendships had been born, and camaraderie was high. We were reminded that through each other – our community of Faith – we can find strength and hope to face whatever challenges life may bring. Our task is to continue to pass the baton of our Faith forward as others have done for us. We left the idyllic landscape and returned to the “concrete jungle” that many in attendance call “home,” full of the love of Christ and resolute in our mission to embody His Word. Until next year, that is!

-Monika Mitchell (RCIA team member)

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