Therefore, on this Octave of Easter, it is opportune to reflect on the beautiful events of a week ago, as we trust and hope in our eventual Resurrection. 

The Easter Vigil begins with a celebration of light overcoming the darkness. The Paschal Candle is illuminated, and it leads a procession of light into the darkened Church. The Easter Proclamation, a treasury of salvation history that signifies the importance of “this night” is sung. 

A handful of Church lights are lit as the Old Testament readings are proclaimed. These readings, at least three or as many as seven, are each accompanied by a responsorial psalm. The Gloria is sung signifying the movement from the Old Testament to the New. At this point all the lights in the Church are illuminated and the candles in the sanctuary are lit.  

This year, after the homily, we were privileged to receive five individuals into the Faith of the Roman Catholic Church. These five were welcomed as they prepared to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. We as a congregational community joined our voices in welcome as we too renewed our Baptismal promises and were sprinkled with Holy Water. Those entering the Catholic Faith received their First Eucharist uniting them with a community sustained by the Bread of Life. Afterwards, throughout the Easter season, they will continue to be enlightened and instructed about the Faith. 

Thank you once again for your participation and thank you so very much for your generosity to our collections for Holy Week and Easter. Peace and abundant blessings!  

Readings and Reflection questions for the Octave of Easter (Divine Mercy) – Cycle A / 12 April 2026  

Acts 2:42-47 – To what aspects of your faith are you devoted? What aspects need some re-commitment? / With whom do you meet on a regular basis? What activities do you do? Who would you like to meet with more regularly? What do you need to do to make that happen? How frequently do you meet with the Lord?  / What is sincerity of heart? How sincere is your heart? 

Responsorial Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 – R. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting. – How frequently do you give thanks to the Lord? For what are you thankful?  / What is mercy? Why is today called “Divine Mercy Sunday?” How long does your mercy endure?  / What is the purpose of a cornerstone? Who is the cornerstone of your family? Why that person?  / “This is the day the Lord has made.” Do you tend to accept the day as the Lord has made it, or do you tend to reshape the day as you would prefer it to be? 

1^st Peter 1:3-9 – How do you live your life knowing that your inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and kept in heaven for you? How does faith safeguard this inheritance? How well is your faith safeguarding it? / What are the Works of Mercy? Pope Francis added care for the environment as an eighth corporal Work of Mercy in 2016. By doing this he was commemorating a significant 1891 papal document on its 125^th anniversary. What was the document, and what is its significance? How does caring for the environment fit in with the spirit of that document?  / What goals have you set for your faith? What goals has your faith set for you?  

John 20:19-31 – What are your fears? How does Jesus calm them for you?  / Why did Jesus offer peace to the disciples? Why do we offer peace to each other at Mass? Why does this occur immediately before the Eucharist?  / Why did Jesus appear with the marks of his Crucifixion? Are these marks evident in the other Resurrection accounts?  / How frequently do you receive the Holy Spirit?  / Think about what was going through the mind of St. Thomas during that week. What questions did he ask of the others? What questions would you have asked? / Compare and contrast this account of belief with St. Peter’s description of belief in today’s Epistle.  / Do you provide a lot of details when telling a story or do you leave things to the imagination of others? How do you decide what to include and what to exclude? 

Thanks to all who have worked with such loving dedication for the Commemoration of the Paschal Triduum and the celebration of the Resurrection of The Lord. 

The planning and preparation for these liturgies goes back to late summer with the planning of the OCIA Team and its preparation of our elect who have been initiated into our Church this weekend. The planning and preparation include our decorators who seasonally prepare and maintain two churches to enhance our worship experience. 

Thanks also to our liturgical teams of Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, cantors, music ministers, altar servers, ushers, hospitality team, and those who maintain and coordinate our live stream broadcasts. You are always so well prepared and eager to be of service to God and our community. 

Thanks to all who have assisted the missionaries with their Holy Week outreach. By your nourishment of the nourishers, you assure that the impoverished in our region are never excluded from the love of the Lord and that they are always welcome at his banquet. 

Missionary activity is central to the archdiocese’s current initiative – “Trust and Hope, The Catholic Church of Philadelphia.” This initiative invites the faithful to bring the beauty and the grace of the Catholic Faith out from its institutional structure and into the structure and routine of the people themselves. It is a loving response to your amen to the Most Blessed Sacrament and your willingness to bring that amen, and the grace of the Eucharist, into all our relationships and encounters. 

The numbers below are a testament to the volume of your amen and the impact of sharing your grace. 

Average Sunday Mass Attendance During Lent: 

2022 = 534 2023 = 611  2024 = 644 2025 = 672  2026 = 742 

This represents a 10% increase in attendance from last year and a 39% increase in attendance from 2022. Coming out of the pandemic, the combined attendance at our Vigil Mass and the early morning Mass was slightly under 200, four years later the attendance at these Masses is slightly over 300.  

Thomas Merton once remarked that though we are sinners in need of redemption it is not sin that unites us, but grace that holds us in solidarity. And, it is due to grace, and your respect and appreciation of it, that nearly 40% more people feel comfortable worshipping together in praise of Almighty God. OLP is the place to be, and NDDL is where your child can excel! 

Easter is a celebration of the triumph of Light. The brightness of the Paschal Candle fills us with His Light. Thank you for cherishing the light of Christ that burns brightly within you. Thank you for allowing that light of grace to be noticed by over 200 people who, because of you, also walk around shining like the sun.  

Easter Readings and Reflections – Cycle A / 5 April 2026 

Acts 10:34a, 37-43 – What is the meaning of Alleluia? Why do we not use the Alleluia during Lent? / Describe the great deeds of God that you have witnessed. 

Responsorial Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 – R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. – What is a cornerstone? What is its purpose? Who / What is the cornerstone of your faith? 

Colossians 3:1-4 – With what level of frequency do you think about what is above? 

John 20:1-9 – Why did no one actually witness the Resurrection? / Why did St. John defer to St. Peter instead of entering the tomb first? / What is the significance of the burial cloths being left behind at the tomb? 

Peace and blessings for Holy Week. The following is the liturgical schedule for this week at Our Lady of Peace and Notre Dame de Lourdes. 

Tuesday 31 March – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Peace from 9am until Benediction at 6:30pm  

Wednesday 1 April – Living Stations of the Cross with the Notre Dame de Lourdes students at 11am 

Thursday 2 April – Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm at Our Lady of Peace / OLP Church is open until 11pm for visits to the Repository. 

Friday 3 April – Noon Outdoor Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Peace (Stations will be commemorated in the church if the weather is inclement) / Commemoration of the Passion of The Lord at 3pm at Our Lady of Peace 

Saturday 4 April – Blessing of the Easter Foods at Noon at Our Lady of Peace / Easter Vigil Mass of the Resurrection of The Lord at 7pm at Our Lady of Peace  

Sunday 5 April – Morning Mass of the Resurrection 7:30 & 11:30 at OLP / 9:30 at Notre Dame de Lourdes 

Readings and Reflection questions – Passion / Palm Sunday (Cycle A) – 29 March 2026  

Reading for the reception and blessing of Palms: 

Matthew 21:1-11 – In this late stage of Lent, what do you have need of? / What is the connection between Palm Sunday and Ash Wednesday? / “Who is this?” How would you answer that question about Jesus? How has the answer to that question changed during this Lenten season? 

The readings for Mass:  

Isaiah 50:4-7 – Who speaks to you when you need to be roused? What words do they speak that are most effective? / How resolute are you in your practice of the faith? 

Responsorial Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 – R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? – Do you trust that the Lord loves you? / Why did Jesus quote this psalm during his Passion? In what sense was Jesus abandoned by God? In what sense was God not far from him? 

Philippians 2:6-11 – What is humility? In what ways did Jesus practice humility? How do you? / What reverence and respect do you show to the Holy Name of Jesus?  

Matthew 26:14—27:66 – Why does Judas use a pronoun rather than speak Jesus’ name? / Why does Jesus use a riddle in answer to the disciples’ question about the Passover? / Has your faith ever been shaken? What / Who helped you to stabilize it? / What does it mean to keep watch? Where in your spirituality are you keeping watch? Where are you falling asleep? / Are you doing what you have come for? / Do you know the man? How do you know? / When have you been filled with deep regret because of sin? What was your recourse? / Why does Matthew include the message from Pilate’s wife? What purpose does it serve? / Who is Elijah? What do you know about him and his relationship with the Jewish people? Why is a seat reserved at every Passover meal for Elijah? 

Readings and Reflection questions – Mass of The Lord’s Supper – Holy Thursday 2 April  

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 – Why are goats included with the sheep? (See Matthew 25:31-46) / What meals do you typically eat when you travel? / What marks you as belonging to the Lord? 

Responsorial Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 – Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ. / Describe all the good that the Lord has done for you. / What bonds has the Lord loosed for you this Lent? With what bonds are you still entrapped? 

1^st Corinthians 11:23-26 – How frequently do you eat the Lord’s bread? / Do you imitate St. Paul by handing on the grace of the Eucharist to others? 

John 13:1-15 – Whose feet do you need to wash? Who needs to wash yours? / Compare and contrast this Gospel with the Responsorial Psalm.  

Readings And Reflection questions – Commemoration of the Passion of The Lord – Good Friday 3 April 

Isaiah 52:13—53:12 – How does this reading give you a stronger desire to receive the Sacrament of Penance more frequently? / Do you think of your destiny? Why or why not? / Explain the line: “But the Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” (Isaiah 53:10) 

Responsorial Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 – Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. – Who are the unremembered dead? How can they be remembered? / Do you feel like a dish that is broken? Perhaps chipped? Do you trust in and cooperate with the Lord’s efforts at restoration?  

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 – Do you trust that God is able to sympathize with your weaknesses? / What is reverence? Why is reverence essential to prayer life and spirituality? 

John 18:1—19:42 – What is your favorite place to meet with people? What makes that place so special? / What did Caiaphas mean by the words: “It is better that one man should die rather than the people.”? How are these words unintentionally prophetic? / How would you answer the question posed to Peter: “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” / What is truth? How well are you testifying to the truth? / Reflect on the person of Pilate, his conversations with Jesus, and the steps that he took, or tried to take, before passing his judgment. / Compare and contrast Jesus’ trial with Paul’s trial (Acts 21:27—26:32). / What do you know about the disciple whom Jesus loved? Why was he entrusted with the care of the Blessed Mother? / Read Psalm 42 and reflect on Jesus’ words “I thirst.” How effectively are you quenching his thirst? / What do you know about Nicodemus? Why does St. John mention that Nicodemus first came to Jesus at night? / Why does St. John mention the weight of the spices? / The Passion begins and ends in a garden. Why?  

Nine months until Christmas! Make that list and check it twice! Yes, this Wednesday we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.  

The words that the angel Gabriel uses to assure Mary, The Blessed Mother are – “The power of the Most High will overshadow you.” To be overshadowed can be frustrating. Overshadowing indicates that someone gave a tremendous performance only to be eclipsed by another’s exceptional performance. Both performances were noteworthy but one took it to a higher plateau.  

Sometimes we try to overshadow God. We know what is best and we attempt to have God cooperate with our will rather than cooperating with God’s will. Mary’s Fiat, her yes to God, indicates the proper sense of overshadowing. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your Word.” 

The Blessed Mother lived her life with this sense of overshadowing. Mary pondered the greeting of the Archangel, she holds all things in her heart, she encourages others to “do whatever he tells you to do,” she “hears the Word of God and acts on it.” Mary welcomes and encourages us to welcome the overshadowing presence of God. 

What does it feel like to be overshadowed by God? Do you allow yourself to be overshadowed by God? Do you cooperate with the will of God or expect God to cooperate with yours?  

The Christmas season, while still three-quarters of a year away, often overshadows Autumn, Thanksgiving, and Advent. We pray and we trust that the Holy Spirit is always an overshadowing Advocate for all, in season and out.  

This weekend, at our 11:30 Mass, is the final of the three Scrutinies for our elect in preparation for their reception into the church at the Easter Vigil. The following prayer accompanies this scrutiny. Thank you for your continued prayerful support for our elect and blessings to their sponsors and catechists and all who have accompanied them in their preparation.  

Lord Jesus, who in raising Lazarus from the dead gave a sign that you had come, that people might have life and have it more abundantly, free from death those who seek life through your Sacraments, release them from the spirit of wickedness, and endow them with faith, hope, and charity through your life-giving Spirit, so that they may live with you always and share in the glory of your Resurrection. Who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.  

Fifth Sunday of Lent Readings and Reflection questions – Cycle A – 22 March 2026 

Ezekiel 37:12-14 – What are the graves that Jesus is asking you to arise from? What help do you need to do that? / What promises has God made to you? What promises have you made to God? 

Responsorial Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 – R. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. – What are your supplications that you need the ears of the Lord to be attentive? / The people of Israel waited for the Lord to end the Babylonian captivity. Martha and Mary were waiting for the Lord to come and heal their brother, Lazarus. What is the purpose of waiting? What does God expect of us while waiting? 

Romans 8:8-11 – This reading from Romans is post-Resurrection while the reading from Ezekiel is pre-Resurrection. Compare and contrast them.  

John 11:1-45 – What are some events that you would have wanted to attend but were unable to do so?  / What are some events that you were required to attend but wish that you did not need to? / Jesus cautions his fearful disciples that there are “twelve hours in a day,” meaning that they need not live in fear all the time, but occasionally they can come up for air. Do you trust that there are twelve hours of day when you feel frightened or anxious? / In what ways was St. Thomas being prophetic when he said: “Let us also go to die with him.” / Compare and contrast Jesus’ conversations with Martha and Mary.  / “Untie him and let him go.” Connect these words of Jesus with our understanding of purgatory.  

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 

1^st 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?  

We are richly blessed to have so many individuals who are dedicated to our Drama Program. The Creative and Performing Arts are essential aspects to the growth of an individual. Far from being pure imagination, the arts open our hearts, minds, and souls to the beauty that surrounds us and challenges us to respect the “golden ticket” of grace and chew every ounce of goodness that our loving God invites us to unwrap. Enjoy the show! 

This weekend, and on 15 March (at 7:30 am) and 22 March (at 11:30 am), our elect in the OCIA program will enter into the final period of preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. This final stage of preparation is officially called the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Part of this period is three Sundays of Scrutinies which commence today at our 9:30 Mass. The three Scrutinies each focus on a particular aspect of our relationship with Jesus – trust in his truthfulness, embracing the light of hope, and rescue from despair to the promise of redemption. Thank you for your prayerful support and encouragement of our elect as we prepare to welcome them fully into the Roman Catholic Church and our parish community. The following prayer is from the ritual of the First Scrutiny. 

Lord Jesus, who in the marvelous plan of your mercy converted the sinful woman that she might thereafter worship the Father in spirit and truth, now, by your power, free the elect from Satan’s wicked cunning, as they draw near to the fountain of living water. In the power of the Holy Spirit, convert their hearts, that they may come to know your Father in sincere faith, which expresses itself in charity. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.  

The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) for 2026 is underway. Prayer cards, as well as posters and pamphlets – filled with information about the CCA are at the entrances of both churches. Our parish goal for the CCA is $50,000. Thank you for all who already made generous donations to the CCA that supports the many pastoral and liturgical initiatives of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  

Heavenly Father, you give us your Son as the fount of all hope. May He inspire us in Giving Hope to All with the aid of your Holy Spirit. Through acts of service and love, may we support those growing in faith, promote the gift of Catholic education, care with gratitude for our retired and infirmed priests, bring joy to the sorrowful, and share Christ’s light and hope with all who are in need. Strengthen us to follow Christ, who came not to be served but to serve all with compassion. By our generosity and witness, may your Church shine with joy and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Third Sunday of Lent – Readings and reflection questions, Cycle A / 8 March 2026 

Exodus 17:3-7 – What quenches your physical thirst? Your spiritual thirst? / How much water do you drink daily? / What is your favorite beverage? / Have you ever questioned if the Lord was in your midst? What answers did you get? 

Responsorial Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 – R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. – What / Who causes you to harden your heart? Who/ What softens your heart?  

Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 – St. Paul speaks to the Romans about faith, hope, love, and the gifts given to us to be at peace with God. What comfort do you find in this reading? What challenges? 

John 4:5-42 – What refreshes you when you start dragging at midday? / Do you “know the gift of God?” How frequently do you receive it? / Do you persevere when things are more challenging than expected, or do you back away? / Why does Jesus compare doing the will of God with food? / Do you like to work in a garden? Cook? What fruits have you sown? What fruits have you reaped? / Who has helped you to believe? 

Dear brothers and sisters, Lent is a time in which the Church, guided by a sense of maternal care, invites us to place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith and keep our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life. 

Every path towards conversion begins by allowing the word of God to touch our hearts and welcoming it with a docile spirit. There is a relationship between the word, our acceptance of it and the transformation it brings about.  For this reason, the Lenten journey is a welcome opportunity to heed the voice of the Lord and renew our commitment to following Christ, accompanying him on the road to Jerusalem, where the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection will be fulfilled. 

This year, I would first like to consider the importance of making room for the word through listening. The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.  

Our God is one who seeks to involve us. Even today he shares with us what is in his heart.  Because of this, listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality. In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, Sacred Scripture helps us to recognize and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering. In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to teach us how to listen as he does.  

If Lent is a time for listening, fasting is a concrete way to prepare ourselves to receive the word of God. Abstaining from food is an ancient ascetic practice that is essential on the path of conversion. Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognize what we “hunger” for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance. Moreover, it helps us to identify and order our “appetites,” keeping our hunger and thirst for justice alive and freeing us from complacency. Thus, it teaches us to pray and act responsibly towards our neighbor. 

However, in order to practice fasting in accordance with its evangelical character and avoid the temptation that leads to pride, it must be lived in faith and humility. It must be grounded in communion with the Lord, because “those who are unable to nourish themselves with the word of God do not fast properly.”   

In this regard, I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace. 

Finally, dear friends, let us ask for the grace of a Lent that leads us to greater attentiveness to God and to the least among us. Let us ask for the strength that comes from the type of fasting that also extends to our use of language, so that hurtful words may diminish and give way to a greater space for the voice of others. Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love. 

I impart my heartfelt blessing upon all of you and your Lenten journey. – Pope Leo XIV  

Second Sunday of Lent: Readings and Reflections (Cycle A) – 1 March 2026 

Genesis 12:1-4a – Where is the land of your kinsfolk? Have you ever been there? / Who is Abram? What do you know about him? What is his relationship to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?  

Responsorial Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 – R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. – In what ways have you witnessed the earth being full of the kindness of the Lord? / What is the relationship between waiting, patience, and hope? 

2^nd Timothy 1:8b-10 – What strength has God provided to you to bear with your hardships? / What are the designs that God has for your holy life? 

Matthew 17:1-9 – What is the purpose of the Transfiguration? Why does Lent always begin with the stories of the Temptation and the Transfiguration? / Do you feel good about your practice of the faith? Your spirituality? Your relationship with God? Where in your life do you need a bright light? How can this season of Lent help? / Why were the disciples asked to keep the vision private? Which aspects of your faith do you keep private? Which do you share? 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. 

Let us pray. O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We also continue our prayers for our catechumens who this weekend will celebrate the Rite of Election at the Cathedral. Blessings to them and to their catechists and sponsors.  

This weekend – 21/22 February – is the In-pew weekend of the Catholic Charities Appeal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Catholic Charities Appeal is the primary financial source for social services, special education resources, assistance to mission parishes, support for retired and infirmed priests, as well as programs that sustain and nourish life and family. Our Parish goal is $50,000.  

“The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as described by Archbishop Perez, drives our mission to love and care for others in the likeness of Jesus. It supports and sustains more than 100 vital charitable ministries and programs that bring Christ’s love to those in need. They touch every corner of the five-county metropolitan area of the archdiocese. The CCA provides food, shelter, education, and care, bringing tangible hope to those most in need. 

This year, I invite you to join me in Giving Hope to All. Hope flows from Christ’s gift of Himself in the Eucharist. Your support of CCA today becomes one such act, a sacred way of extending His care to individuals seeking the compassion of the Church.”  

Materials for the Catholic Charities Appeal are located at both Our Lady of Peace and at Notre Dame de Lourdes. The webite of the appeal: catholicchurchofphila.org/appeal provides more information about Catholic Charities and offers on-line options for your generous support. The pledge cards in the Church, as well as the posters and brochures, contain a QR code for donation access as well.  

The season of Lent encourages the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These are three vital ways to enrich our spirituality during these forty days and to offer efficacious work to those in need of advocacy. Thank you for your most generous response to the Catholic Charities Appeal and for the many ways that you have responded and continue to respond to those most in need of God’s mercy and remembrance. And we pray… 

Heavenly Father, you give us your Son as the fount of all hope. May He inspire us in Giving Hope to All with the aid of your Holy Spirit. Through acts of service and love, may we support those growing in faith, promote the gift of Catholic education, care with gratitude for our retired and infirmed priests, bring joy to the sorrowful, and share Christ’s light and hope with all who are in need. Strengthen us to follow Christ, who came not to be served but to serve all with compassion. By our generosity and witness, may your Church shine with joy and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

First Sunday of Lent Readings and reflection questions (Cycle A) – 22 February 2026 

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 – Do you like gardening? What do you like about gardening? What do you dislike about gardening? What fruits and vegetables have you grown? Why do they taste better than the selection from the produce aisle? / What is true about the serpent’s statements? What are the half-truths? 

Responsorial Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17 –R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. – In what ways does this psalm describe the Sacrament of Penance? In what ways do you feel cleansed after receiving the grace of the Sacrament? / What is steadfastness? Is your spirit steadfast? 

Romans 5:12-19 – What is Original Sin? What are its effects?  / Where in your life do you need an abundance of grace? How can you obtain it? 

Matthew 4:1-11 – What is fasting? Why was Jesus fasting? Why is fasting an important discipline for Lent? / In what areas of your life does the devil tempt you? What / Who gives you the strength to resist temptations? 

Mardi Gras is Tuesday 17 February. Below is a prayerful way, from Xavier University, to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits for the approaching forty days and to celebrate the threshold of the season of Lent. 

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for it is from your goodness that we have this day to celebrate on the threshold of the season of Lent. Tomorrow we will fast and abstain from meat. Today we feast. We thank you for the abundance of gifts you shower upon us. We thank you especially for one another. As we give thanks, we are mindful of those who have so much less than we do. As we share these wonderful gifts together, we commit ourselves to greater generosity toward those who need our support.  

Prepare us for tomorrow. Tasting the fullness of what we have today, let us experience some hunger tomorrow. May our fasting make us more alert, and may it heighten our consciousness so that we might be ready to hear your Word and respond to your call. As our feasting fills us with gratitude so may our fasting and abstinence hollow out in us a place for deeper desires and an attentiveness to hear the cry of the poor. May our self-denial turn our hearts to you and give us new freedom for generous service to others. We ask of you these graces with our hearts full of delight and stirring with readiness for the journey ahead. We ask them with confidence in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. 

Ash Wednesday, as well as Good Friday, are days of fast and abstinence. Fasting is to limit yourself to one complete meal accompanied by two smaller meals that do not constitute a complete meal. A smaller meal means that you would do without something that you would normally include as a part of a complete meal, or you would reduce the portion size. Perhaps you would eat half of a sandwich instead of a whole, or a bowl of soup without a sandwich, or a sandwich without chips or fries. Fasting is expected for anyone who has reached the age of eighteen and has not yet reached the age of sixty. So that would be anyone born from April 1966 through 18 February 2008. 

Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Abstinence is to refrain from eating meat. Meat includes red meats such as hamburgers, poultry products such as turkey, or chicken, pork products such as ham or bacon. You are required to abstain from meat once you have reached the age of fourteen – born at least by February 2012. Abstinence, unlike fasting, remains in effect for the remainder of your life.  

Lenten Devotions: 

Morning Prayer:  at Our Lady of Peace: Monday through Thursday at 8:10am and   

    at Notre Dame: Friday and Saturday at 8:10am 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:  

Tuesdays at Our Lady of Peace 9am through 6:30pm / Benediction is celebrated at 6:30pm  

Stations of the Cross: Fridays at Our Lady of Peace at 7pm 

Additional Confessions: Sundays – at Our Lady of Peace (February 22, March 1, March 8 & March 22) 12:30-1:15pm and at Notre Dame (March 15) 10:30-11:30am  

Almsgiving: The missionaries have planned two outreach days during Lent (2/21 & 3/7). The following items can be placed in ziplock bags for distribution: toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizers, first aid items. Additionally, bottled water and non-perishable food items are welcome. Thank you for your generosity and support.  

Mass Readings – 6^th Ordinary Sunday – Cycle A / 15 February 2026 

Sirach 15:15-20 – Do you choose to keep the Commandments? / Do you trust in God? Why or why not? / For what purposes has God given you a license? How frequently do you renew it? 

Responsorial Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 – R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! – What are the precepts of the Church? How diligently are you following them? / With what teachings of the Church do you wonder? Discern? 

1^st Corinthians 2:6-10 – Do you love God? What are the mysterious and hidden things he has prepared for you? / Why does the Holy Spirit scrutinize the depths of God? 

Matthew 5:17-37 – How does Jesus fulfill the law and the prophets? / What smallest letter have you taken away from the law, or added to it? / What are the gifts you are bringing to the altar? / Why is the Sign of Peace placed between the Lord’s Prayer and Communion? / Are you a decisive person or do you vacillate? Do you take no for an answer? 

Pope Leo, in his message promoting the World Day of the Sick, referenced the parable of the Good Samaritan. Pope Leo closes his message with the following remarks. 

Dear brothers and sisters, “the true remedy for humanity’s wounds is a style of life based on fraternal love, which has its root in love of God.” I genuinely hope that our Christian lifestyle will always reflect this fraternal, “Samaritan” spirit – one that is welcoming, courageous, committed and supportive, rooted in our union with God and our faith in Jesus Christ. Enkindled by this divine love, we will surely be able to give of ourselves for the good of all who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters who are sick, elderly or afflicted. 

Let us raise our prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick, asking her to assist all who suffer and are in need of compassion, consolation and a listening ear. Let us seek her intercession with this ancient prayer, that has been invoked in families for those living with illness and pain: 

Sweet Mother, do not part from me. Turn not your eyes away from me. Walk with me at every  moment and never leave me alone. You who always protect me as a true Mother, obtain for me the blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to all who are sick, to their families and to those who care for them – healthcare workers and pastoral workers alike – and in a special way to all participating in this World Day of the Sick.  

Thank you for your prayers for those who are seeking God’s healing and strength of grace. Please pray also for healthcare providers, especially for those here in Delco who continue to provide healing hands in the aftermath of the closure of the Crozer Healthcare System.  

Saturday 14 February is Valentine’s Day. Blessings to all our couples and may God continue to strengthen the beauty of the inseparable love of your covenant as you provide witness of the unconditional love of our Creator.  

Almighty and eternal God, you have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage that it has become the sacramental sign of your Son’s union with the Church as his spouse. Look with favor on the couples, whom you have united in marriage, as they ask for your help and the protection of the Virgin Mary. They pray that in good times and in bad they will grow in love for each other; that they will resolve to be of one heart in the bond of peace. Lord, in their struggles let them rejoice that you are near to help them; in their needs let them know that you are there to rescue them; in their joys let them see that you are the source and completion of every happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Mass Readings and reflection questions– 5^th Ordinary Sunday – Cycle A / 8 February  

Isaiah 58:7-10 – What are the Corporal Works of Mercy? How well are you practicing them? / Who are “your own”? Are they more likely to see your face or your back? / What are your wounds? How quickly are they healing? What is preventing them from healing? / What is your relationship with the Eighth Commandment? (See Catechism paragraphs 2464-2513). / This reading begins with sharing bread, and it closes with bestowing bread. What is the difference? 

Responsorial Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 – R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. – How firm is your heart? Is your horn exalted? / This psalm provides a vivid picture of steadfastness. How would you describe steadfastness? Are you steadfast? What do you need from God to be steadfast? 

1^st Corinthians 2:1-5 – When assembling something, do you read the instructions or examine the diagram?  / St. Paul visited Corinth after Athens. In Athens he engaged in debates about the faith. In Corinth, Paul demonstrated the faith. Which style is more effective for you? Which style do you need at this moment? 

Matthew 5:13-16 – How can you help season the faith for those whose faith has lost its taste? Does your faith require a visit to the spice rack? / Where are you placing your light? What is its current wattage?