Be Humble and Obedient
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus saying, “Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say: Father, save me from this hour?”
Jesus was troubled, He was feeling afraid, He may even have been in distress. This is a side of Jesus that we don’t often see, but we also know how fear gripped Him in His agony in the , that His sweat became like drops of blood. But then Jesus also said, “It is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”
But the question is: did God save Jesus and protect Him from suffering and death?
Of course, the answered is no. Although He was the Son of the Father, Jesus learnt to obey through suffering, but having been made perfect, He became for all who obey Him the source of eternal salvation. With this, Jesus teaches us to be humble and to obey God, because God always asks two things from us: to be humble and to be obedient.
Yet, as we know that to be humble and to be obedient goes against our human tendencies to be self-reliant and to think that we know better. But if we are humble and obedient to God and trust Him enough to let go, then we will not fall into an empty darkness, but into the safety of God’s love. Jesus showed this to us through His cross and resurrection. The cross is our safety and protection. May we also grow in humility and obedience.
Our reflection is: how do we keep and increase our humility and obedience to God in any situation, especially in the difficult times in our lives?
Fr. Aegidius Warsito, SCJ
Rosary in Honour of St. Joseph
Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Our annual Rosary in honour of St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Canada, will take place this year on his feast day, Tues., Mar. 19th at 6:00 p.m. before the evening Mass. Please join in this short time of prayer for the needs of our country and for our own needs under the patronage of the foster father of Jesus.
Ministry of Maturing Adults 60+
Thursday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m.
Moira McQueen, from the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute U. of T., will address the topic of end-of-life issues on Thurs., Apr. 18 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish (1710 Scugog St., Port Perry). Registration is not required. The session concludes with a free luncheon.
Prayers Needed for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Luisito Santos, Geeta Bridgebassie, Benjamin Zdesar, Gustavo Caceres, Andrea E. Bernabey, Thatcher Willifon, Gloria Paraan, Victoria Munson, Juan Philipe Dominguez, Victor Lim, Paul Offinga and Tina Lopes. May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
ShareLife Parish Campaign 2024
This weekend is ShareLife Sunday
ShareLife Sunday marks the first collection for our parish’s annual campaign. Everyday, young people in our community need a helping hand due to homelessness, trafficking or violence. ShareLife agencies ensure the safety of youth fleeing violent homes and provide them with a supportive place to stay. This is all made possible thanks to amazing people like you who choose to support ShareLife. We thank you for your kindness and generosity. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through www.sharelife.org/donate.
Seniors’ Mass (Note Change of Date)
Wednesday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Our monthly Seniors’ Mass will be held on Wed., Mar. 20th at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. All seniors are most welcome!
Youth Group Spring Fling Market
Sunday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Youth Group will hold a Spring Fling Market from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with many different items to buy from various vendors. This is a fundraiser for their activities and the Parish Campaign. Please contact Emily at emilyyeo123@gmail.com by March 24th if you have products to sell and Rosie at rsiefina@gmail.com for any youth volunteers to assist at the sale.
Most glorious Father, Your will is perfect. You called Your Son to the suffering of the Cross. Through that act of perfect love, the suffering Your Son endured gave You perfect glory. Lord Jesus, please give me Your courage as I face my own sufferings in life and help me to imitate Your perfect obedience to the Father’s will in all things so that I, too, may give Him glory. Jesus, I trust in You.
Mass Intentions for March 16 – 23, 2024
Saturday 5:00 p.m. +Giles Chaves, requested by the D’Mello family
Sunday 8:30 a.m. +Raffaele, Sebastiana and Maria Privitera and Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy, requested by the Privitera family
Sunday 10:00 a.m. Intentions of Vinod and Arunina
Sunday 11:30 a.m. Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m. Intentions of McLeod Robin
Monday 7:15 a.m. Intentions of Corrine and Joe Alphonso
Tuesday 7:15 a.m. +Dr. D. Paulraj, requested by the family
Tuesday 7:00 p.m. +Marge Donahue, requested by S. McPherson
Intentions of our priests and the families of the Serviam Ministry of St. Thomas More and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life
Intentions of Joshlene
In thanksgiving, Joni Jean
Intentions of Colleen Ryan
Intentions and in honour of St. Joseph
Intentions of Joseph Roger
+Enriqueta Vina, requested by the Santos family
+Mrs. Surangani Nonis, requested by Achala
Wednesday 7:15 a.m. Intentions of Jordan, Jayden and Joshua Rey
Wednesday 7:00 p.m. +James Joven, requested by the family
Thursday 7:15 a.m. +Marge Donahue, requested by the Dessailly family
Thursday 7:00 p.m. +Deceased members of FOSS and the souls in purgatory, requested by A. Myers
+Paola Di Giulio, requested by the Cristiano family
+Jeremias and Josephine D’Mello, requested by the family
Intentions of McLeod Robin
Intentions of Sharon McPherson
+Heather Watkins, requested by the family
+Noel Catungal and in thanksgiving, the Viloria family
Friday 7:15 a.m. +Souls in purgatory and Lina & Peter Fernandes, requested by the D’Almeida family
Friday 7:00 p.m. +Patrick Phelan, requested by S. McPherson
Saturday 9:00 a.m. +Deron Camillus, requested by the family
Day of Confessions
“So often, our own sins and failings seem to be an obstacle in encountering the love of our Lord, preventing us from taking the steps towards authentic and renewed conversion. Yet Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners. He is the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost, the physician who comes to heal the sick. And one of his first acts after the Resurrection was to entrust to the Church the power to forgive sins in his name. Thus, in order to undergo an authentic and renewed conversion, and to encounter the Love of God, a focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation – this most powerful encounter with divine mercy – is essential.” – Thomas Cardinal Collins.
Lenten Confessions
English: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 7.30 pm
Spanish: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7.30 pm
