Welcome

I thought these words from Karla Manternach, an author I read occasionally, form a good check list during these early days of Lent. She writes: “How are you…..following Jesus? Do you feel close to him when you pray but don’t make much time for it? Do you appreciate God’s presence in nature but hardly ever go outside? Do you experience God’s love when you spend time with family but find yourself spending more time working instead? How can you be more responsive to God?” These are good questions that may be helpful as a kind of early checklist of how Lent is going for you.

Besides our own personal Lenten journey of “prayer, fasting, and almsgiving” let us remember that Lent is also a time to celebrate our common life as members of the Body of Christ. Morning Mass, Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic Adoration, quiet time in church before and after Mass, Rosary and Benediction, small Christian communities, and the sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) are all ways we notice one another and celebrate our common journey in the spiritual life. These and many other exercises nourish our interior life which often gets attention than it deserves or needs.

The weekly Stations of the Cross devotion is beginning to attract more and more parishioners who are now combining praying the Stations with a trip to the Center to enjoy the Fish Fry and fellowship. Each week a different parish ministry leads the Stations. Our high school ministry directed by Kerry and Maura Condon led the Stations last week. Over thirty teens attended and three of the teens led the prayers. What impressed me was how seriously these young parishioners participated.

Eight members of the parish met recently in Room 3 of the parish Center to begin the process of formation as Secular Servites. The next few meetings will be devoted to getting familiar with the formation process and the time needed to learn and experience Servite spirituality as it is outlined in the documents of the Secular Order and the Constitutions of the Friars. My special thanks to all who attended. Please consider this vocation and help keep the Servite life and spirit alive here at St. Juliana.

Servites everywhere are celebrating this year the 700 anniversary of the birth of St. Alexis Falconieri. St. Alexis was an early Servite and the last of the Seven Holy Founders. He lived in Florence, Italy and died there in the year 1310. In early records of the Order, Friar Alexis is spoken of as, “one who never sought a privileged way of life; he loved to work including manual work; he had a special interest in promoting and caring for young Religious; he remained humble and loving in everything he did.” St. Alexis, pray for us!

My special thanks to all who supported our Knights of Columbus blood drive last weekend. You helped pass on the gift of life.

The Knights are selling tickets for the annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner dance to be held on Saturday, March 13th. I hope you will support their efforts and enjoy this celebration.

By now you know that we are in the midst of our annual Pastoral Services Appeal (PSA). I realize that there are a good percentage of our parishioners who have reservations or are undecided about this Appeal. It is my hope that you will trust that this is more than an appeal for money. It is about services provided for the growth and development of the Church of the diocese of Orange and our own parish needs. Only you can decide how this appeal exemplifies the larger view of our Catholic Faith.

Our Reconciliation Room is in the process of renovation and will not be used for a few more weeks. I believe you will find the new arrangement more usable and accessible. In the meantime, we will use the Children’s Chapel on the east side of the church.

Happy and blessed Birthday to Father Pat this Sunday, March 7th. May he be blessed with continued good health and fulfillment in his ministry in the parish and with the Newman Club.

In the Joy of Our Faith,
Fr. Frank Falco, O.S.M.

Mission

St. Juliana Falconieri Catholic Community is a sacramental family called to welcome and encourage all people to accept and celebrate the free gift of eternal salvation. Stewards of the new creation in Christ, we strive to bequeath to future generations a kingdom of love, justice, and peace through liturgy, sacraments, scripture, education, loving service, and fellowship.