Next Sunday (Palm Sunday) we will have a second collection, which will be for the mission and works of the Pallottines back in India. In the past years you have always been very generous and we are grateful for that. Know for sure that your sacrifices will go a long way. If you are not able to help financially do not be disheartened, just offer a prayer for our missionary works and you will receive your blessings in return.
Back in India, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province (ABVM) is venturing into new mission areas and our formation houses are still growing with many seminarians at different stages of their formation. This April-May 2018, our Province will have 12 newly ordained priests. Who knows in years to come some of them may be sent to this country to serve.
We as Pallottines are very blessed to have this opportunity to serve here in this Archdiocese and especially here at St. Valentine Parish for the past 11 years. Your prayers, words of encouragement and your support keep us going stronger. Thank you once again for all the sacrifices you make for the good of the parish.
God Bless you.
Fr. Socorro
The Hour in John’s Gospel
In this weekend’s gospel Jesus is using the term “the hour.” He says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” The phrase “the hour” or “my hour” or “my time” is a constant symbol of Jesus’ death. “The hour” or “my time” refers to all the events of the cross and all the trouble and sufferings surrounding the cross. Note two facts.
1. “The hour” is a set, fixed time in the purpose of God. Jesus said, “The hour has come” (Jn. 12:23-24, 27; 13:1). He has said some time before, “My time has not yet come” (Jn 2:4; see 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20). The hour of Jesus was inevitable: a definite period of time, a set of events, a number of experiences that He had to face and go through. As He said, He must die in order to bring forth fruit (v.24).
2. The hour was to have a definite beginning. There was a set time for the trouble to begin (v.27), a set time for Him to begin suffering for the sins of the world. There was a fixed hour when He was to begin suffering the pain and anguish, the agitation and disturbance, the pressure and weight, the strain and stress of having to be separated from God in behalf of man.
It’s good to know what Jesus means. There is a deep meaning of “the hour” in John’s Gospel that wants to reveal more to us than merely “this is the hour when Jesus died.
Complete Forgiveness of Sins through the Divine Mercy Novena
Did you ever wish you could start all over again and make your soul as pure as the day you were first baptized? As Catholics, we are offered an opportunity to do just that. It comes in the form of a plenary indulgence.
As part of the Divine Mercy Novena, a plenary indulgence can be obtained simply by making a good confession during the Lenten Season, starting the Novena on Good Friday and receiving the Eucharist on Divine Mercy Sunday. We are also asked to pray for the Holy Father and do a deed of mercy. Please take advantage of this wonderful gift given to us from our Lord.
Pamphlets are available in the back of church with full instructions on how to say the novena. Take the time to familiarize yourself with this devotion and plan on joining your fellow parishioners on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. The service will include recitation of the Chaplet and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.