Saint Patrick’s

115 Maple Avenue, Victor NY 14564 (585) 924-7111 • www.stpatricksvictor.org

Authentic faith, Welcoming and Engaging

+ + + Be holier today than yesterday. The only and truly sad thing in life is not to become a saint. + + +

Catholic Church

March 9-10, 2019 First Sunday of Lent

We’re glad you’re here with us! We warmly welcome new mem-bers to our parish: Bernadette Glasgow and Angelina Marquez. Thank you for joining our parish family. Your presence is a blessing to all of us.

Think of Sacraments. Think of Divine Life.

Sacrament of Baptism. The sacrament through which God, in Jesus Christ, makes us His sons and daughters. To prepare for

reception, call Fr. Edison Tayag @ 924-7111. Sacrament of the Eucharist. The sacrament through which God, like a responsible parent, feeds us, with food from heav-en: His Word, and the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Weekend Masses: Saturday at 4:30 PM, Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 AM, and 5:00 PM

Weekday Masses: Monday - Wednesday, Friday at 8:30 AM, Thursday Communion Service at 8:30 AM

For First Holy Communion, call Anthony Klosterman at 924-2800 for more info.

Holy Communion may be brought to the sick, the home-bound, and those in nursing homes and in hospitals. Call the Parish Office @ 924-7111 for more info.

Sacrament of Confirmation. The sacrament through which God by the gift of the Holy Spirit strengthens us to give faith-ful witness to our Catholic Faith. To prepare for reception, call Kristen Leschhorn @ 924-2800.

Children, older than 7 y/o, and adults who needs to be baptized, receive Communion and/or be Confirmed, call Deacon John @ 924-7111.

Sacrament of Reconciliation. The sacrament through which God’s mercy and love, justice and truth heals the wound of human sin. Generally offered an hour before each Mass. Please give the priest fifteen minutes before Mass to prepare for Mass. Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament through which Jesus continues to heal the sick among us. Anointing is offered at each Mass on the first weekend of the month. Or call Fr. Edison @ 924-7111 to schedule an anoint-ing. Sacrament of Marriage. The sacrament through which God calls a man and woman to become visible signs of His Love. Call Fr. Edison or Deacon John @ 924-7111 for more info. Sacrament of Holy Orders. The sacrament through which the mission Jesus entrusted to the apostles is continued in the Church. To learn more about vocations to the ordained min-istry, please call Fr. Edison or Deacon John @ 924-7111.

Never miss an opportunity to celebrate a sacrament.

We have a parish App! Text ‘App’ to 88202.

Download myParish App, and after opening the app,

select ‘Saint Patrick.’ What parishioners say about the new app:

“The parish app is such a good idea!”

“I get to prepare for Confession better with the help of the examination of conscience.”

“I really like the new app.”

“I have access to a lot of prayers.”

“The daily Scriptures readings are much more accessible with the app.”

As of March 5, we have 372 parishioners using the app, and 93% are returning visitors. The most commonly used features are the dashboard messages and readings, prayers, bulletins, and calendar. Please let us know if you need help on learning how to use the features. If a training session on the use of the app would be helpful, please let Kim Reese know at 924-7111. Some of the features of the app are:

daily Scripture readings,

daily reflections (Inspire Daily)

parish messages and notifications (inclement weather an-nouncements)

parish groups for specific communication

parish calendar and bulletins,

Mass reminder

Confession guide and reminder,

parish Formed page,

Bible Project (awesome videoclips on the Scriptures),

online giving (Sunday, Building Fund, CMA), and

an array of prayers that you can use personally and with your family.

Be a faithful presence in the digital continent.

HOLY MASSES FOR THE WEEK

Page 2 Get informed. Get involved. March 9-10, 2019

Liturgical Ministers for the Weekend of March 16-17

Ministry Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:30 AM Sunday 10:30 AM Sunday 5:00 PM

Sacristan Jackie Lafferty Ena Gill Helen Barnes Judy Miller

Lector One Jeff Bartkoski Sandy Brannigan Rachel Eilertsen James Miller

Lector Two Duane Pancoast Julie Knapp 2nd Grade Faith Formation Mollie Hamilton

Holy Body (3) Deacon John, Marcie Hamilton,

Kevin Klee Deacon John, Ena Gill, Stephenie McCormick

Deacon John, Marjorie Jacobs, Catherine Kent

Deacon John, Joan McMahon, Eileen Mountan

Precious Blood (2) Dan Lafferty, Jackie Lafferty Eva Moore, Ken Reasoner Matt Tarantelli, Michelle Amadio Joyce Richards,

Gretchen Vanderlee

Altar Servers (3) Garret Lester, Griffin Garnot Andrew Dempsey,

Zoey Prezyna Jack Eilertsen, Gavin Ray,

Landon Ray Kelton Everett, Michael Dumas

Head Usher (Front Doors) Pat Bolger Dan Weigert Dave O’Hare Norm Ainsworth

Ushers / Greeters (1) Parish Center, (2) Family

Room, (3) Front Doors

(1)Tom Denninger (2) Dave Mammano (3)Mike Manikowski

(1)Wayne Brotsch (2)Bob Kolb

(3)Mark Weigert

(1)John O’Brien (2)Ken Trotta

(3)George Heissenberger

(1)John Butler (2)Sante DiCarlo

(3)Nick Ward

Note: Ushers/Greeters, we appreciate you welcoming parishioners at your assigned station. If interested in serving as liturgical minister during the weekend Masses, please give the coordinators a call. See page 5 for contact info.

Daily 3 PM Prayer Intentions Please include any of these intentions at your daily 3 PM prayer:

For parishioners who are dealing with cancer,

For our Preschool Ministry,

For our effective use of our parish App,

For an increase in vocations to ordained ministry and religious life,

For our parish Stewardship Committee and its works,

For stronger and consistent pro-life stance. Let us be known by our praying for each other.

Saturday, March 9, 2019 - Saint Frances of Rome

4:30pm - Jean Guinan by Mary Lyng

Sunday, March 10, 2019 - 1st Sunday of Lent Dt 26:4-10, Rom 10:8-13, Lk 4:1-13 (24)

8:30am - Bill Stehling by Mary Lyng

10:30am - Maria by Rose Vu

5pm - Joseph & Margaret Sitar by Gary & Margie Wood

Monday, March 11, 2019

8:30am - Bud Sherman by Helen

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

8:30am - Jaqui Matteson by Joan Trost

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

8:30am - Bud Sherman by Scharr Family

Thursday, March 14, 2019

8:30am - Communion Service

Friday, March 15, 2019

8:30am - Stephen Leonard by Helen Barnes

Saturday, March 16, 2019

4:30pm - Mary Belleville by Mary & Mike Rogan

Sunday, March 17, 2019 - 2nd Sunday of Lent Gn 15:5-12, 17-18, Phil 3:17-4:1, Lk 9:28b-36 (27)

8:30am - Call the office to schedule your intention.

10:30am - Don & Betty Butler by Family

5pm - Bill Stehling by Social Ministry

The Sanctuary Candle is lit in memory of Jerry & Jeff Sandburg by Family.

To offer a Mass or to light the Sanctuary Candle in memory of a loved one,

please call the Parish Office.

If you have requested the Mass intention and would like to bring up the gifts during Offertory, please inform the ushers before Mass.

Liturgy & Sacramental Life

because Jesus taught us to pray

‘Gift of Presence’ Envelopes Families in Faith Formation, the ‘gift of presence’ envelopes found at the church entrances are for your use at Sunday Masses. Thank you for providing your chil-dren opportunities to encounter Christ not only in the classroom, but also in the celebration of the sacraments, primarily through the

Eucharist. Children, remember to write down your name and your grade.

Thank you for your present and faithful witness.

Page 3 Connect the dots of faith. March 9-10, 2019

PARISH EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, March 10

8:30am - RCIA - Library

Morning - Knights Breakfast - Parish Center

10:30am - Children’s Liturgy of the Word-Music Rm/Alcove

11:45am - Faith Formation

11:45am - First Eucharist Prep Session

6pm - GLOW

Monday, March 11

4:30pm - Faith Formation

4:30pm - First Eucharist Prep Session

Tuesday, March 12

10:30am - Prayer Shawl - Alcove

4:30pm - Faith Formation

4:30pm - First Eucharist Prep Session

6:30pm - First Eucharist Prep Session

6:30pm - Faith Formation

7pm - Membership Meeting - Alcove

Wednesday, March 13

10am - Senior Exercise - Alcove

Noon - Day of Penance

7pm - Baptism Prep - Alcove

7pm - PPC - Parish Center

Thursday, March 14

9:30am - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd-Atrium/Library

Saturday, March 16

5pm - Community Dinner - Presbyterian Church

5:30pm - St. Patrick’s Day Celebration - Parish Council

Sunday, March 17 - Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

8:30am - RCIA - Library

Morning - Coffee Hour - Parish Center

11:45am - Faith Formation

2:30pm - Confirmation

Membership & Parish Life

because Jesus called a community

...by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

- Philippians 4:6

Louise Therrien, Robert Erwin, Carol Estes, Virginia Palen, Antonio Siciliano, Becky & John Crowley, Michelle Dennehy, Kathryn Walker, Jim & Kathy Heilmann, Cora Crowley, Mary Louise Mervis, Karen Ford, Ann Rossi, Judy

Hanlon, Alma Suarev, Suzanne Cummings, Hillary McGov-ern, Patty Schmitt, Madeline Dankner, Bennett Hudson, Oliv-ia Marsh, Bill & Marlene Goodermote, John & Dee Grub, Debbie Demarse, Phyllis Smith, Bill LaMountain, Michael Prairie, Rosa Cordaro, Maria Kluber, Lori Fisher, Dominic DiMarco, Frank Acquilano, Ed Wicks, Paul O’Brien, Saman-tha Haldeman, Joseph Felice, Sig Bauriedl, Helen White, Jerry Martin, Ann Amico, Dick Ashlaw, Michael Keane, Zachary Losee & Family, Carole Annesi, Eldora Miller, Terry Habber-field, Martin Neenan, Barbara Corra, Ann Spadaro, Jim McMahon, Ann Weigert, Dorothy Redding Note: This list of parishioners who are ill appears once a month in the bulletin. Please help keep this list up-to-date by informing the Parish Office at the end of the month if you want your name to be kept.

Diocesan Day of Penance March 13, Wednesday, Noon-8 PM

Put our new parish app to use - check out the Confession icon.

Return to the Lord with all your heart!

Parish Life at St. Patrick’s!

Saint Patrick’s Day. On Saturday after 4:30 PM Mass, March 16 in the Parish Center. Join us on this festive evening of fun, food and music by the String Chickens! We have events for kids.

Feast of Saint Joseph. On Tuesday, March 19, 5:45 PM, join us for din-ner at St. Joseph’s Table. Wear red and bring a meatless dish to share if you can.

St. Patrick's Concert Series Palm Sunday With the help of our new music director, we are building our music program at Saint Patrick’s. We are ex-cited to offer you the first in our con-cert series this Palm Sunday, April 14 at 4 PM, in Church. The concert will be performed by the string and wood-wind instrumentalists of our parish. This upcoming concert commemo-rates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on this feast day. Enjoy sacred and classical works by Palestri-

na, Frescobaldi, Mozart, Schumann, and more.

Save the Date! St. Patrick’s Vacation Bible School, July 22-26

Join in the faith and fun!

Page 4 Grow in faith, hope and love everyday. March 9-10, 2019

Social Ministry & Outreach

because Jesus called us to serve

Sharing Christ Sharing Christ, the third and last seg-ments of the Christ Life Program begins March 28, Thursday, from 6:45 to 8:30 PM. There will be six Thursday sessions and a Saturday Retreat. It is open to all who have completed the Discovering and Following Christ segments. Come journey with us, and while do-

ing so, learn a little, share a little, and make some fabulous new friends. We have a very energized Core Team, and partic-ipants are gaining a lot from the sessions. Contact Sam Condo at 678-4472 to sign up. We feel blessed to offer this program for the third time, and look forward to seeing you on the 28th.

Discover Christ. Follow Christ. Share Christ.

Formed.org 1. It is easy and free! Go to Formed.org/register.

2. Enter access code: 3KRJJK (capitalized).

3. Enter your email and password (you need these to log in later). Enjoy and share the faith.

Featured Resource YDisciple's Human Sexuality. Living as a Christian means living a counter-cultural life. This is especially true when it comes to our understand-ing of human sexuality.

Entirely contrary to the trend of "hooking up", sex is an inte-gral part of God's design for humanity to be nurtured in the context of self-giving love. To understand sex, we have to go back to how God "created them male and female," how rela-tionships come together, the covenant of marriage, and how sex is God's truly creative plan for giving life. This YDisciple series tackles the subject in a candid and un-flinching way to give a credible alternative to everything young people hear from our world about sex.

Stewardship

because Jesus gave us gifts to share

ST. PATRICK’S PRESCHOOL “We nurture seeds of faith and reason.”

Will Your Child Be 3, 4 or 5 by December 1st?

Age 3: three days-a-week: Mon, Wed & Fri

or, two days-a-week: Tues & Thur

Ages 4 and 5: five days-a-week: Mon - Fri (ideal for 5-year-olds not attending kindergarten!)

stpatricksprek@dor.org, (585) 924-2800 www.stpatricksvictor.org

Register now!

Next Service Sunday: March 24 Our parish teens do a monthly Service Sunday where they offer assistance with chores. See application forms on the Welcome Tables, or contact Kristen Leschhorn at 924-2800.

Your Help During Second Collection We hope to keep the time spent at Offertory within rea-

sonable limit. Please help pass the baskets to the person next to you, or if you are at the end of the pew, to the person in the next pew. You may have to stand to reach the next per-son. The ushers will be passing a first basket (first collection) and another (second collection), 3-4 pews apart.

If you can help as usher, please call Sante @ 742-3118.

Parish Bulletin Advertisement Brett Burt from LPi, our bulletin printer, will be in our office the week of March 25, securing new ads for our bul-letin. Please consider purchasing an ad, sponsoring a chari-ty, or in memory of a loved one. Your participation makes our bulletin successful, and you attract customers!

Lenten Family Packets and Devotionals Families with young children, re-member to take a Lenten Packet. In it, Lenten calendar, activity book for kids, prayer cube, and a Rice Bowl. Adult parishioners, please take a copy of ‘Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter,’ Lenten calendar

and a Rice Bowl. Have a blessed Lenten season.

Christian Formation Update

The two in-parish First Eucharist Preparation Ses-sions for parents and students will be during normal class time the week of March 10-12* & March 31-April 2. *Note the date change for the first session.

The next Couples’ (Parents’) Night Out (CNO) will be April 6th. Spots for a total of 40 children. Applications due April 2nd at the latest. Thank you to all who made the last CNO possible!

Ongoing Faith Formation

because Jesus taught us his way of life

Adult Faith Enrichment Series We are reconvening after our winter break. We will gather on Thursday, March 28, 10 AM in the Alcove. To learn more about the group, call Sam and Tina Condo at 678-4472.

Community Dinner Our next Community Dinner at the Presbyterian Church is March 16. Sign up sheet is on the table by the children's alcove. We need food preparers, help with set-up, serving, clean-up. Donations of personal hygiene products are appreciated.

Let us, like Jesus, be bread for the hungry.

Knights of Columbus - 40 Cans for Lent Reminder to donate one can of food each day of Lent for the Victor/Farmington Food Cupboard.

Our Parish Ministries: Serving God and Neighbor Call. Ask. Discern. Serve like Jesus.

I. Liturgy and Sacramental Life Altar Linen Altar Servers Baptism Preparation Team Children’s Liturgy of the Word Church Cleaners Communion Ministers (EMHC) First Responders at Masses Funeral Preparation Team Lectors Liturgical Environment Liturgy Committee Marriage Preparation Team Music Ministry (choirs, cantors) Sacristans Ushers & Greeters Visitation Ministry

II. Membership and Parish Life Bereavement Support Group Coffee Hour Team Funeral Brunch Team Knights of Columbus Membership Outreach Parish Life Committee Welcome Team Women’s Group

III. Ongoing Faith Formation Adult Faith Formation Group Bible Study Catechists & Aides Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Faith Formation Advisory Board Parish Christ Life Team Preschool RCIA Team Youth Ministry

IV. Social Ministry and Outreach Assisi Ministry Community Dinner Giving Garden Prayer Shawl Ministry Prison Ministry Social Ministry Committee Veterans’ Dinner Family Promise of Ontario County

V. Stewardship Buildings and Grounds Committee Cemetery Board Finance Council Parish Bakers Parish Gardens Parish Magazine Parish Office Volunteers Pastoral Council Money Counters Stewardship Committee

Sue Stehling / 924-3409

Pat Bolger / 924-9351 Judy & James Miller / 924-8158

Lynn Foley / 259-3823 Lei Dalupang / 224-6091

Ron Platten / 317-8512 Coordinator Needed

Diane Gernert / 398-7833 Duane Pancoast / 924-8104

Diane Gernert / 398-7833 Judy Klein / 924-7022

Deacon John Payne / 924-7111 Carl Galland / 924-7111

Ena Gill / 733-6650 Sante DiCarlo / 742-3118

Anne Leitner / 742-3417

Barbara Ward / 752-2379 John Shields / 615-5765 Kelly Mason / 924-3532

Wayne Brotsch / 924-3855 Ken Reasoner / 924-2029

Sam Samoriski / 802-6755 Perri Geiser / (607) 765-8605

Judy Klein / 924-7022

Sam & Tina Condo / 678-4472

Anne Leitner / 742-3417 Anthony Klosterman / 924-2800

Lynn Foley / 259-3823 Anthony Klosterman / 924-2800

Sam Condo / 678-4472 Anthony Klosterman / 924-2800 Deacon John Payne / 924-7111

Kristen Leschhorn / 924-2800

Marcie Hamilton / 924-1528 Jean Acquilano / 645-7998

Dan & Karen Lynch / 314-5098 Mary E 742-2949/Mary S 924-7724

Helen Barnes / 298-2247 Joan Muto / 924-2501 Bob Kelly / 924-5792

Joe Murphy / 764-2712

Joan Oliphant / 742-3452

Kim Reese / 924-7111 Suzanne McCaffrey / 398-8219

Coordinator Needed Becky Fountain / 281-8004 Bridgette Klein / 924-7111

Ev DeVelder / 924-2903 Dave Keebler / 208-6923

Marge Gawronski / 398-7802 Joan Oliphant / 742-3452

Page 5 Pray and live your faith everyday. March 9-10, 2019

Recognizing Parish Stewards

Hosts to the Traveling Chal-ice and Paten: the Didas, the Marshall, and the Sheridan Fami-

lies.

To new altar servers: Daniel Viggiano and Holden Lester. Thank you, Mr. Pat Bolger, for the training.

To the families who avail themselves of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program in our parish.

To those who made February's Community Dinner a suc-cess: Margie, Thom, Emerald and Brian Rafferty, Becky Foun-tain, Ev DeVelder, Perri Geiser, Marilyn Heilmann, Missy Ma-rino, Vicki Petilli, Joan Ripley, Joan Trost, Jack and Linda Mar-ren, Ella Shea Gorska, Jim and Joan McMahon, Jackie and Dan Lafferty, Cindy Curran, Bette Rae Simmons, Colette Brien, Mary Ann Egan, Dave Keebler, Mary Rogers, Pat Cargnoni, Patti Feck, Joyce Gormel, Joan, Bob and Bill Muto and Dan Koflanovich.

Gift of Time Weekend Mass Attendance

March 2-3: 4:30: 172, 8:30: 182, 10:30: 317, 5:00: 161 Total: 832

(January 2019: 926)

Gift of Treasure March 2-3: $7,011.77

(2018-2019 budget: $8,365)

2018-19 Catholic Ministries Appeal $81,212 from 296 donors

Remaining Parish Responsibility: $32,672 We need the help of additional 204 households.

Please make your household one of them. Use designated envelopes at church entrances

or donate online thru www.stpatricksvictor.org.

Thank you for your stewardship!

Parish Ministries at the Sunday Coffee Hour

March 3: Funeral Brunch March 17: Baptism Preparation Team

April 7: Open

It’s Back: St. Patrick’s Garage Sale!

We are having a rummage sale in spring/summer timeframe. Start cleaning our your attics, garages and basements. More details soon!

Upcoming Second Collections at Mass Lent: CRS Rice Bowl

March 10: Black, Native American & Hispanic March 31: The Catholic Relief Services

Please use second collection envelopes found at Church entrances.

Parish Office & Preschool Information

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4 PM (lunch time: 12:30 PM - 1 PM) Friday: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Parish Office Phone: (585) 924-7111 Parish Office Fax: (585) 742-3296

Faith Formation & Preschool: (585) 924-2800

Stay Connected Parish Website: www.stpatricksvictor.org

Follow regular updates through our website. Parish Facebook Pages: St. Patrick’s Church /

Saint Patrick’s Victor Youth Ministry Friend us on Facebook and receive timely updates.

Parish Youtube Channel: St Patricks of Victor NY

Subscribe and watch uploaded videos. Parish Magazine: St. Patrick’s

Take a copy from the Welcome Tables.

Our Parish Staff Father Edison Tayag, Pastor fr.edison.tayag@dor.org

Deacon John Payne, Deacon john.payne@dor.org John Butler john.butler@dor.org Cemetery Caretaker Carl Galland carl.galland@dor.org

Director of Sacred Music Anthony Klosterman anthony.klosterman@dor.org

Coordinator of Faith Formation and Preschool

Kristen Leschhorn kristen.leschhorn@dor.org Youth and Young Adult Minister Nancy Kolb nancy.kolb@dor.org

Secretary of Faith Formation & Preschool Benny Malijan benny.malijan@dor.org Housekeeping Rich O’Donnell richard.odonnell@dor.org

Finance Director Kim Reese kim.reese@dor.org Parish Secretary & Hospitality Wayne Sweet wayne.sweet@dor.org Building Maintenance

Let there be light...

Focus on the Son (Reflection on Deuteronomy 26:6-10)

He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm,

with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country,

he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the firstfruits

of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.

The First Reading is taken from the central section of the Book of Deuteronomy, chapters 12-26, where contained are the collection of Laws originally given at Sinai, and now at Moab, in preparation for entering the Promised Land, Moses undertook to explain to all Israel the Law that God had given them. This ‘re-giving’ of the Law lends reason for the name “Deuteronomy,” (deutero nomion) which could be translated as second law or copy of the law.

Chapter 26 prepares the Israelites for when they would have entered the Promised Land, have settled in it, and have cultivated it. They were to set aside some of the first fruits from the products of the land, and offer these to God. As they offer the first fruits to God, the Israelites were also to present themselves to God. Doing so, Israel would remember their identity as profoundly rooted in God, by how God spe-cifically acted during important moments in their lives: from the call of Abraham, their sojourn to Egypt, their flourishing and enslavement in Egypt, their plea to God for freedom, God’s response, their departure from Egypt, to their entry and settlement in the Promised Land.

The desert from Egypt to the Promised Land had been a significant place for Israel. Like a vast and enduring class-room, the desert became a place of learning and testing where their covenantal relationship with God became better under-stood and, perhaps, better lived. The period of the forty years of wandering in the desert points to the reality that it was the next generation of Israelites who eventually entered the Promised Land, not the generation that departed from Egypt. The infidelity of the previous generation did not merit them to enter the Promised Land. The promise and prospect of obedience of the current generation opened the path to the Promised Land. And with the Babylonian exile and subse-quent return, we know the rest of the story...

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan

and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil.

Enter Jesus. Prior to his public ministry in Galilee, Jesus embodied the desert experience of the Israelites. The theme of forty makes some degree of connection. Like the Israelites, Jesus too was tempted in the desert. Unlike the Israelites, Je-sus overcame the temptations.

When the Israelites failed to live according to their cove-nant with God, precisely as People of God, Jesus showed how it is to live our relationship with God through his divine sonship.

This Lent, it is good to recom-mit our focus on Jesus. He over-came the temptation of the devil by precisely asserting his faith in God the Father first and foremost. As the Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus not only brings to ful-fillment the story of Israel, he still offers himself to us as the way to the Father. We can learn from the

story of Israel, but ultimately, it is by learning from and being like Jesus that would make the difference.

This Lent, the desert could take on the image of the boat that he and his disciples were in on a stormy Sea of Galilee. Temptations could come to us like strong winds and forceful waves. If we feel we need to wake up a sleeping Jesus, do so. At the end of Lent, may we find our faith in him stronger. At the end of Lent, may we find ourselves more and more like Jesus. - Father Edison