Today, the Ides of March (watch your back), is also Laetare Sunday. The Latin word Laetare is the source of the English word elation, meaning rejoice. Laetare Sunday itself is rooted in the prophecy of Isaiah. In the final chapter of the book, the prophet speaks about the change of course of the holy city of Jerusalem. “Rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her.” (66:10) While the prophet looks forward to the restoration of Jerusalem we look forward to our personal and collective restorations during this Lenten season in anticipation of the Resurrection. The rose vestments worn this Sunday serve as a reminder of the changing tone of this late point of the Lenten season. The violet of penitence leads us along the pathway of perfection (rose) to the embrace of the unconditional love of God during Holy Week.
Thursday of this week (19 March) is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Our Lady of Peace School and Notre Dame de Lourdes School were both blessed with the service of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Our mission as Sisters of Saint Joseph flows from the purpose for which our Congregation exists. We live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another. Rooted in the mission of Christ, ours is the same mission which continually unfolds in the Church, ‘That all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.” I pray that they may be one in us.” – Mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph / Chestnut Hill
Likewise, Pope Francis reminds us of the care that St. Joseph continues to unfold for the Church.
The Son of the Almighty came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph. God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide for her and her child. In this sense, Saint Joseph could not be other than the Guardian of the Church, for the Church is the continuation of the Body of Christ. In his continued protection of the Church, Joseph continues to protect the child and his mother, and we too, by our love for the Church, continue to love the child and his mother. – from Patris Corde (12/8/20)
This Sunday, at our 7:30 Mass we will conduct the Second of our Three Scrutinies for the elect who will be fully initiated into our Church at the Easter Vigil. The following prayer reminds them, and us, of the immense power of the love of God and the beauty of his divine, eternal Light.
O God, unfailing light and Father of lights, who by the Death and Resurrection of your Christ have cast out the darkness of hatred and lies and poured forth upon the human family the light of love and truth, grant, we pray, that your elect, whom you have called to be your adopted children, may pass from darkness to light and, delivered from the power of the prince of darkness, may always remain children of the light. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Readings and reflection questions – Cycle A – 15 March 2026
1st Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a – Who is the leader in your family? / When the Lord looks into your heart what does he see? / Why is oil used to anoint? What are the Sacraments that use oil for anointing? What is the purpose of the anointing at these four Sacraments?
Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 – R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. – Psalm 23 is the source of the New Year’s Eve song: Auld Lang Syne. Why is that? / What verdant pasture do you need from God at this moment? / What dark valleys have you walked / are walking through? Did you sense God at your side? / What is included on the table that the Lord spreads before you?
Ephesians 5:8-14 – St. Paul says that we were once darkness? What does that mean? How was the light restored? Currently, how strong is the light in your life?
John 9:1-41 – Are you a more effective worker at day or at night? Have you ever worked the overnight shift? / Why were the Pharisees divided about Jesus? How would you respond if a miracle was performed in your midst? / Like the Pharisees, do you find it hard to listen to things that you do not want to hear? What is the difference between listening to someone and accepting the testimony? / Why do the Pharisees, and most of the Old Testament characters, associate a physical condition with sin? / “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” What are the things that you are blind to? What things would you like to see better?