Fr. Mike's Message - 03/14/2021

Dear Parishioners,

The Deacons of the Archdiocese of St. Louis are sponsoring a Diaper Drive this weekend and next weekend.  We will have bins in Jesuit Hall for you to drop off diapers that will be distributed to those who are in need through the Pregnancy Assistance Center.  The Deacons are sponsoring this with the Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese.  This is a great opportunity to help those who are less fortunate with this very basic need.  Thanks for any help you can give!

Lent marches on!  Here we are on the 4th Sunday of this blessed Season. It’s sure nice to see the increased attendance at Mass.  Please continue to exercise hospitality and welcome to all who are coming to Church in person.  Please continue to maintain a safe distance from those who are not members of your family.  Overflow seating is available in the Choir Loft and in the Choir Room.

I hope and pray that this has been a good Lent for you and that you are taking some time for prayer and reflection to help deepen the experience.  Don’t forget to check out Formed.org and the Little Black Books that we offered at the beginning of Lent.  Confessions are held every Tuesday morning after the 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Masses as well as on Saturdays after the 8:00 a.m. Mass and from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Fr. Tony and I have enjoyed the livestreaming of Evening Prayer and our Chat with the Priests on Sundays at 5:30 p.m.  It’s been fun and prayerful and informative.  Join us if you are able to do so on the Sundays of Lent (www.facebook.com/borgiaparish).

One of the questions that came up last Sunday during the Evening Prayer and Chat with the Priests was about St. Joseph and what we admired in him.  There’s so much to think about how this simple, dedicated, and faith-filled man made a huge difference in the life of the Holy Family and continues to make a difference today.  Pope Francis declared 2021 the Year of St. Joseph and has called on parishes throughout the world to honor St. Joseph.  Our parish is doing that now by praying a special Novena in honor of St. Joseph that began on Wednesday, March 10th, and will continue until March 18th.  The Feast of St. Joseph is on March 19th.  A special Novena prayer is being offered after Mass on each of those days.  What a tremendous opportunity for us to pray through the intercession of St. Joseph for our intercessions and to reflect on and learn from St. Joseph’s example as a man of faith and trust!  Copies of the Novena Prayer are available in the bulletin and on our website.

Per the directives of the Archbishop and the Archdiocese, we are still requiring the use of masks throughout Mass.  I am grateful for your cooperation.  Now is not the time to grow complacent.  Let’s keep each other safe by wearing masks, sanitizing hands, and maintaining a safe distance from others so we can prevent as much as possible the spread of Covid.  Fr. Tony and I visit the hospital regularly and we are still seeing folks who are extremely ill due to complications from Covid.   Thanks for your help and cooperation with this.

Looking forward: Mass on Holy Thursday will be at 7:00 p.m.  Church will remain open for prayer until 11:00 p.m. with Night Prayer at 10:45 p.m.  On Good Friday, our day will begin with Morning Prayer in Church at 8:00 a.m.  The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Death will take place at noon and the Stations of the Cross will be held at 7:00 p.m.  On Holy Saturday morning we will offer Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.  The Easter Vigil will take place at 8:00 p.m.  On Easter Sunday morning, Masses will be at the usual times of 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m.  All of the Masses and Holy Week Liturgies will be livestreamed as well.

Have a great week!

Prayers,

Fr. Mike Boehm