Dear St. Gabriel Parishioners:
Scripture Readings on this Eighth-Sunday in Ordinary Time presents us with the story:
The blind leading the blind are not going to get there. Of course, the blindness Jesus is talking about is figurative rather than literal, but that sharpens rather than blunts what he is saying, as the blind he is referring to are “in denial” and don’t realize their blindness.
The disciple is not greater than the teacher, but with a good teacher, a student can be just as good. But a bad teacher will not be a good role model or encourage a good student. How can a student succeed with a bad model? The good tree bears good fruit. The rotten tree does not. The fruit of the tree shows what care it has had. Let our prayer be that our own blindness be cured. Then, God might be able to use us to help others.
This coming Tuesday, March 1 is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) that leads to Ash Wednesday, March 2, the beginning of the Lenten Season where as a Church, we imposed ourselves in a long 40 days of Lent with the intention of “returning to the Lord, God”, in repentance and worship through Words and Actions.
This Lenten Season will lead us to the Holy Week (April 10-April 16) with the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). Then, it’s to the great feast of EASTER SUNDAY, April 17. Then, 50 days of Easter Season will lead to the Feast of Ascension of the Lord (May 26- in U.S. Western Dioceses – moved to Sunday May 29) and the Feast of Pentecost (June 5) – the Birthday of the Church.
To make the Season of Lent and Easter, our parish will give you a “Black Book – Lenten Booklet”. Please take one to accompany you and your family in this important Holy Season.
WELCOME TO THE SEASON OF LENT
BEGINS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY – MARCH 2
St. Gabriel Parish - Masses with Sprinkling of Ashes:
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- 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM
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Prince of Peace Parish – Masses with Sprinkling of Ashes:
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- 3:00 PM (English)
- 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM (Spanish)
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
St. Gabriel Parish
Every Fridays in Lent at 5:30 PM – with soup to go pick-up afterward.
Prince of Peace Parish
Every Fridays in Lent at 3:00 PM (English) – with soup to go pick-up afterward and 6:00 PM (Spanish)
Catechumens – Alissa Fluery, Elie Lively and Julian Jewel Melvin (people who are exploring the Catholic Faith and in the final stages of preparation to receive the Easter Sacraments – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) will meet our Archbishop Etienne in the “Rite of Election” at Holy Trinity Parish in Bremerton on Saturday, March 5 at 11:00 AM, with the whole Olympic Deanery will be gathering for this event.
The Candidates for Full Communion – Stanley Morak, Tyler Russell, Justin Corallo, Wesley Snoen, Nanette Irene Rice, Michelle Starkweather and Levi Russell. (people who are exploring the Catholic Faith but have been baptized in another Christian Denomination) also, will be there as well.
Also, Completing the Initiation Sacraments – Evelyn Cuellar Corallo, Jessica Catalano Hansen and Lauren Harms (people who have baptized Catholic but have never received Confirmation). Please keep our parish Catechumens and Candidates for Full Communion in your prayer.
Have a wonderful week in the Joy of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang