When walking around town you are sure to run into either a baby carriage or a dog no matter where you go. A 5 minute walk suddenly is much longer after stopping at each carriage and leash. If beginning in City Square, a walk down Warren Street to Main leads you past various temptations. Beginning with the coffees and pastries from Tatte. Each week if leaving St. Mary’s Church, I glance across the street and decide whether I will head in for a latte or head back home. Or I could walk further down, and Starbucks appears on the right… another option to be served…. I have made it 6 blocks and I haven’t even been tempted by the Apple crumble French toast yet at Monument. When leaving St. Francis, you need to decide if you want to be tempted by the banana bread at Waverly (it’s so good!).
No – we should not yell “Get away, Satan!” to those offering us a coffee, but every day we are faced with one temptation after another. On the calmer side it may be whether to buy a coffee or cheat on your diet with that coffee roll, but there are many other, far greater temptations in our lives.
As you know, our children, if you are blessed enough to have them, face various challenges each day. I could not imagine being a teenager in school today. The new clothes that you have to have, or the far greater need to do well because if not, the college will not think I’m good enough, and it will be the end of the world. This doesn’t even touch upon the various friend group dynamics.
How do we teach our kids to take an assignment seriously, while also teaching to not be overly hard on yourself and learn from mistakes? Maybe they mirror our own reactions to not getting the promotion that we’re hoping for, or even bombing the presentation that we prepped so hard for.
The need to just “fit in” is real, but, could you imagine what Jesus experienced in the forty-day trial in the desert? Forty days of hunger – being told to transform those rocks into loaves of bread. That would be an easy way out, but Jesus did not take it. The loneliness he must have felt is unimaginable.
Taking time for yourself is necessary. This Lent season, try to do that. I would not recommend spending 40 days to yourself though – that may be a bit excessive.
Maybe a few extra minutes before mass as we prepare ourselves to receive the Eucharist – or getting up a few minutes earlier and spending that time in prayer will see a positive change in the next 40 days.
In the next few weeks, we will see reflections from various members of the Pastoral Staff. Service at the food pantry, ministry in music, and what our kids are going through in Confirmation is just a small sampling of what to look forward to in this section.
Don’t just give something up this Lent. As Fr. John says – also “Look up!” and of course ahead because Easter will be here before we know it, but we first must make it through the desert of these next few weeks. So Lent 2026, will you choose to be tempted or continue on your way? – James Santosuosso
The grand annual continues.
If you have not received a letter from Fr. John, and a copy of the latest financial report, there are packets available at the back of each Church.
To date, St. Mary– St. Catherine’s is approaching $40,000, and St. Francis is approaching $20,000.
It’s not too late!
The funds collected help minimize the Parish deficits, and completely stay in the Parish. Thank you!
CORI Time
To all our volunteers:
January is the month for our parish to complete CORI forms. A copy of the form will be emailed to volunteers. You may have it notarized and send it back or bring it filled out to Church for an approved staff member to verify your signature. Please bring your photo ID. You may also drop by the office. There are also blank CORI forms at the office and at the Church for your convenience. All forms must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 27. All those who have recently filled out a CORI do not need to fill another one out.
Thank you for all that you do and for your help in getting the CORIs submitted in a timely manner.