Our Thirst
This Sunday’s readings are a beautiful reminder that God meets us exactly where we are—in our thirst, in our questions and even in our struggles to believe. They speak of a God who does not wait for us to be perfect before offering His love, but who comes to us in the very moments we feel most empty.
In Exodus 17:3-7, the Israelites, weary and parched in the desert, cry out for water. Their thirst is more than physical—it is a longing for reassurance, for hope, for the certainty that God has not abandoned them. God responds by bringing water from the rock, showing that He is constant, even when faith wavers.
Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 lifts our eyes to the heart of the Gospel: God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, not because we are perfect, but precisely because we need mercy. It is a love that never runs dry, even when our own hearts feel parched.
In John 4:5-42, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. She comes seeking ordinary water, but He offers her living water—the grace that satisfies the deepest longings of the heart. Her encounter with Jesus changes everything. She leaves her jar behind, a powerful symbol of letting go of what no longer defines her and runs to share the Good News with others.
The Lord invites us to bring our thirst to Him: our longing for peace, our hunger for meaning, our desire for healing. He does not offer a quick fix, but a wellspring of grace that will never run dry. Like the Samaritan woman, we are called to drink deeply of His love and then become a witness, carrying His hope into the lives of others.
Therefore, maybe what we can do this week is: Spend quiet time with Jesus, honestly naming the places in your life that feel dry or empty. Remember His faithfulness, recall moments when God has surprised you with His care, even in difficult times. Be a source of refreshment, share a word of encouragement or a gesture of kindness with someone who may be thirsting for hope.
The question is: can we do it? And what do we need for this?
Fr. Aegidius Warsito, SCJ
Lenten Retreat for Young Adults
All young adults (ages 19–39) are invited to join the Y.A.C. Lenten Retreat on Sat., Mar. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saint Thomas More Parish. The retreat theme: A Journey Back to the Heart of God inspired by powerful talks:
• “Returning to the Lord” – Fr. Martin
• “Rooted in Love: Rise to New Life” – Fr. Francis
•Reconciliation – Fr. Aegidius SCJ
Admission is free. Registration is required. Full-day attendance is required. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Donations are gratefully accepted. Come and renew your heart this Len
Lenten Confessions
Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. (English)
Lenten confessions (in English) will be held on Tues., Mar. 17 at 7:30 p.m. with many priests in attendance in preparation for Easter. Also, Lenten confessions will be held on Mon., Mar. 16 at 7:00 p.m. (in Spanish).
"Ignite your faith and renew your Spirit"
Fr. Hansoo Park, Pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, will be giving a relatable and heart-stirring teaching John 3:30. Join us for an evening that will leave you refreshed and ready for Holy Week.
• When: Thursday, March 19
• Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Where: St. Thomas More Parish Hall
Don’t journey alone! Lent is a time for community. We look forward to seeing you, your friends and family.
Prayers for the Sick
We are praying for those who are sick in our parish: Nancy L., Enza S., David Kippen, Sheila Downs, Sonali Paris, Keith Achue, Andrea E. Bernabey, Tina Lopes, Victoria Munson, Veronica Lim-Sang, John Bedford-James, Chett S., Ruth McDoom, Marina & Amrita Baburam, Sylvie Tilly and Olivyn Angeles. May they be supported by our prayers, pastoral ministry and the grace of God.
SHARELIFE 2026
Through ShareLife, you ensured Tyler didn’t face his hardships alone
Many of our brothers and sisters are struggling in silence. Because of your support of ShareLife, Tyler didn’t face his hardships alone. When he first came to counselling at a Catholic Charities agency that you support through ShareLife, he was withdrawn and guarded-reluctant to open up. But slowly, with support, he began to share the weight he carried: the trauma of losing his father to a drug overdose and the pain of repeated loss in his family life.
Over time, Tyler found the courage to face his story, make sense of his struggles, and take steps toward healing. Today, he says counselling has become something he looks forward to-even when it’s hard-because it’s helping him grow. Through ShareLife, you help people in our community access mental health services. You offer healing to those who feel forgotten and hope to those who are hurting.
The first ShareLife Sunday collection is on March 22. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through at sharelife.org/donate.
Mass Intentions for March 7 – 14, 2026
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Kesiera Rupasinghe, requested by the family
Sunday 8:00 a.m.
+Alain Mariaantony, requested by Niruja
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
+Anton Pereira, requested by Olga, Mark, Karen and Nicole
Sunday 12:00 noon
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Intentions of Thiffany Alessandar
Monday 7:15 a.m.
+Alex Ramirez, requested by the family
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
+Catejan & Josephine Alvares and Suren Matkar, requested by J. Matkar
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+Paul and Pauline Lam, requested by M. Lam
+Sanmuganathan & Sebamalai Ratnam, requested by the family
+Julian Martin
+Francis and Olga Gonsalves-Teixeira, requested by the family
+Mely Lomibao, requested by the family
Intentions of George Nicholas
Intentions of Otto Lam and family
In thanksgiving, the Bastianpillai family
Intentions of Catherine Rodgers
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
Intentions of Anthony
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Intentions of Julia Orvin
Thursday 7:15 a.m.
+Souls in Purgatory, requested by the Bastianpillai family
Thursday 7:00 p.m.
+Ilda Caires, requested by the family
+Phyllis Cogliano, requested by S. McDoom
+Julian Martin
+Sisaura Lopez, requested by V. Rey
+Souls in Purgatory, requested by the Bastianpillai family
+Jude Benedict, requested by the family
Intentions of Malaya
In thanksgiving, Vicki Munson
Friday 7:15 a.m.
In thanksgiving, the Bastianpillai family
Friday 7:00 p.m.
Intentions of Pathminy Alesander
Saturday 9:00 a.m.
+Philomena D’Souza, requested by the family
Lenten Schedule on Fridays
On Fridays during the season of Lent the parish has the following schedule:
6:00 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross
7:00 p.m. Mass
