Pro Memoria

The older I get, the more often I need to be reminded of things, and to set reminders for myself. A ping of the phone, a post-it on my computer screen, a calendar entry, a scrawled note on my bedside table made in the middle of the night and illegible in the morning’s light.

Reflecting on where we are in this year, in the first days of March, I’d like to do a few reminders of things that are on my mind right now.

As I write these words early in the last week of February, our Holy Father’s condition is precarious at best. His age and prior infirmities, and his grueling dozen years of service as leader of a huge, grace filled, and often fractious church have ground him down, although he continues to lead by example even in his sufferings and diminishment. His designation of 2025 as a Holy Year of Hope is heartening. His recent reminders to political and church leaders in our country and around the world about the dignity of all people and our need to promote the common good of all and not just the privileges of the few are challenging messages. We pray for his health and recovery, even, as it seems to me, as he has laid down the beginnings of a testament, if you will. We hope that it will not be his last testament, but if it is, it is a moving reminder of Jesus’ prophetic and healing ministry. Let’s pray for him, and for the St. Peter’s barque that Good Pope Francis has piloted with such steadfast grace and courage.

This week will have a second installment in our new Mental Health Ministry meeting series. Our parishioner Ann Edwards, a skilled therapist and local public health leader, will lay out what mental health challenges look like in our modern lives, and how we can approach them. Her presentations will be followed by opportunities to listen to other members of our community and share our own experiences with them. Meetings are 1-2:30 pm Sunday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 4, in our Ministries Room.

Also on Tuesday evening there will be an open meeting with diocesan officials from the Catholic Schools Department about our search for a new principal at St. Ignatius School. As you may have seen in her letter published here last week, Principal Patty Lane has decided not to renew her contract for Academic Year 2025-26. This important meeting is an opportunity for members of the community to learn about the process and offer input. It will take place on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. in the Parish Center. All are invited to attend.

Finally, a gentle reminder that Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Masses will be celebrated at 8 a.m., 9:10 a.m. (school mass), and 5:30 p.m., and ashes will be distributed in front of the Parish Office from noon to 1 p.m. As we enter into the Lenten Season, let’s remember to pray for one another, and especially to pray for our 8 catechuments and candidates who will enter our Catholic community at the Easter Vigil, for our young men and women who will be confirmed on April 6, and our little ones who are preparing for their first communions in early May.

Blessings,

FR. TOM LUCAS