May I share a short Easter’story as told by Liberty
Phillips who befriended an elderly gentleman, Fiske
Hanley: Last week I had the wonderful privilege of
spending the afternoon with my fabulous and rugged
friend, World War Two veteran and Japanese POW,
Fiske Hanley
Holy Week. Within the Christian liturgical calendar this is the most sacred week of the year,
commemorating the Passion, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Tracing its roots back to
the third century, this week we enter draws us into Christ Jesus’ penultimate obedience to God
the Father, the expression of unbounded mercy, and the promise of life everlasting.
“While Iam in the world, Iam the Light of
the world,”Jesus said.
Someyearsago I heard the story of the‘lamp
lit’foran old forgotten man through the
ministry of the Missionaries of Charity.
Illuminating the possibilities of that Light
within the lives of individuals struggling to
find hope. . . . .
We welcome Bishop Keehner to our parish this
Sunday afternoon, (on the far side of our
Sioux City Diocese). He will preside at the
Mass for the Sacrament of Confirmation for
those students who will “be sealed with the
gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“Lord, it is good that we are here.” Peter’s words
spoken to Jesus at the moment of the
Transfiguration, speaks of the visible presence
that overwhelms his faith.
“At that timeJesus was led bythe Spirit intothe
desert to be tempted bythedevil.
He fastedfor fortydaysandforty nights. . .”
Each Lenten Season the Church places the gospel
passage describing Jesus’forty days in the desert
on the first Sunday of this‘forty dayjourney.’
As a long time“educator,”in the classroom and
school administration for our Sacred Heart School,
Sue Eldridge has devoted her faith, energies, time,
and abilities for the hope and wellbeing of each
student.
Catholic SchoolsWeek begins this Sunday.Weare
privileged to have the opportunity of Catholic
Education within our parish;and likewise, two
very good Religious Education programs within
our three churches.
Two years ago our diocese began the process of
evaluating a different format for marriage
preparation, seeking a viable approach that
would guide and more readily involve an
engaged couple’s understanding of this
Sacrament, and their personal faith shared
within the Church.
“As our liturgical“Season of Christmas”comes
to an end, we graciously remember the dignified
environment of our church sanctuaries at St.
Malachy, St. John, and Sacred Heart.
As you may have heard, our Sacred Heart
School Principal, Sue Eldridge, has announced
her retirement at the end of this 25/26 school
year. For thirteen plus years she has served our
school and parish as the administrator, guiding
the teachers and staff, students and families,
seeking a Catholic-Christian learning
environment.
welcome Fr. Jerry this weekend, who will
share his experience with Unbound Ministries;
how this Catholic outreach actively brings hope
to individuals and families in various
communities throughout the world