From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners,

  As you know, during Lent, we accompany our Catechumens (non-baptized) and Candidates (baptized Christians) as they make their final preparations for full initiation into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.  Last weekend, the Rite of Election was celebrated throughout the Diocese of Sacramento for all those coming into full communion of the Church at the Easter Vigil.  Please continue to keep our Elect and Candidates in your prayers throughout this Lent. 

            In addition to praying for our Elect and Candidates, we want to also pray for the following:

· Our religious education children making their first Confession on Saturday, May 21st followed by their First Communion on Sunday, June 5th

· Our youth preparing to celebrate Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday, June 9th and

· Our couples preparing to celebrate the Sacrament          

      of Matrimony in the coming months 

Also, as you may recall, last year, our religious education program transitioned to a “family catechesis” program where our children are catechized, for the most part, in the home.  It took a lot of hard work and openness on the part of our parents and catechists to make this change.  In hindsight, it seemed the right way to go.  And in the present, we are seeing the fruits of this new way of catechizing.  The Church has always taught that parents are the primary educators of their children.  Now, we are encouraging, equipping and supporting our parents to carry out their teaching role.  It was very edifying to see so many of our religious ed students and their parents take part in the pre-Lenten retreat on Saturday, February 26th and in the outdoor “Stations of the Cross” on the Friday after Ash Wednesday. 

On another note, you will notice in the announcements that there is a “Town Hall” meeting in the parish hall this Thursday, March 17th, at 6:30p.  When there is a transition in the leadership of a parish, our Diocese has had the custom of holding these town hall meetings. A town hall meeting gives parishioners an opportunity to identify parish needs. The meeting will be conducted by two priests who serve on the Priests’ Personnel Board (PPB).  After the meeting, the priests will report their findings to Bishop Soto and to the other members of the PPB.  If there are some things you would like the Bishop and the PPB to take into consideration for the leadership of St. Mary’s Parish, I encourage you to attend the meeting. Be assured that I will not be there, so you can speak freely!  The meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish. 

Let us pray that God continue to bless St. Mary’s Parish!

In Christ Jesus,

Father Berg