Dear Parish Family,

Jesus gives purpose and direction to our journey of life. In the midst of the culture of relativism we live in that provides little to no direction as to the meaning or purpose of life, our faith in Christ is all the more necessary as a light to guide our path and to draw others to that path that God has set us on.

In the first reading today, the Israelites reflect on their salvation history from being "wanderers" on the earth, coming to Egypt and first becoming prosperous and then slaves, and being led out of Egypt to follow the Lord for 40 years to the promised land where they embody as a people God's light to the nations.

Each of these movements in Israel's salvation history is also part of our story of salvation. Without a relationship with the Lord we are wanderers on the earth. We may experience some prosperity for a while, but eventually we become slaves to whatever it is we value more than God. Our hearts long for eternal fulfillment which nothing on earth can ultimately satisfy. We need God! Only He can rescue us when we are in trouble, give us the direction we need, and bring us to our heavenly destiny as our life unfolds.

No one takes a journey without an itinerary. So what's your itinerary this Lent? Do you have your spiritual map locating where you’re starting from and the destination God is calling you to be? What roads are you going to take to get there? What detours might be available should one of your ways be blocked? What's your travel time to get there? Who are your travel companions? What spiritual tools are you packing for the journey?

When Jesus spends 40 days and nights in the desert, He is by no means "wandering" aimlessly. He sets out with a plan and purpose in mind. He's got His itinerary in order. He knows who He is, what He stands for, and how to stay in relationship with the Father through all the temptations the enemy throws at Him. We journey with Him in His same conviction during our Lenten journey, knowing that our identity, purpose, and mission rest in Him. Review your spiritual itinerary as we set out with Christ this Lent. What's your plan? Stick to it. Adjust each week as necessary if you find yourself discouraged or complacent.

Get ready for our Parish Mission coming up next Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18 & 19 starting at 7:00 pm each night! The Doug and Dave Show will be at St. Mary's in the church to present "Mass Confusion", a mission exploring the rich treasures of our Catholic faith at Mass in an engaging manner. The mission will be entertaining and appropriate for all ages, and is not something you will want to miss!

Also, get ready for the Evening of Confessions on Wednesday, March 19 from 5-8 pm. Yes, I realize this is the same night as the parish mission! We had booked the Doug and Dave Show well before the Diocesan Evening of Confessions schedule came out, so Fr. Fabian and I will be hearing confessions at St. Mary's in the Hospitality Room and Community Room that night. Parishioners will be available in the gathering space to help direct people to where they need to go. We will have opportunities for both face-to-face and behind-the-screen confessions in these rooms.

I am yours in Christ,

Fr. Scott Goodfellow