Today we celebrate the 7^th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  Today’s gospel narrates to us  the cure of the paralytic who was brought on a mat by his four friends to Jesus. Since it was physically imposible for them to approach Jesus they went to the roof, made a hole in it where they could bring the paralytic down through the rope to where the Lord was teaching. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven”. This scandalized the Pharisees for it is only God who can forgive sins. In order to show them that He is indeed God and a Messiah who has the power  to forgive and to heal, he said to the paralytic :  ”Stand up, pick up your mat and go home”.  As we prepare to begin Lent, let us pray for peace and unity of the world, healing and reconciliation among nations, groups and individuals whose relationship is characterized by divisions and conflicts. Pray also for the conversion of sinners and for the sanctification and salvation of the whole humanity.In particular, I exhort you to pray for the Church specially for the priests: “We are used to asking the priests to pray for us. In these trying times for them and for the Church as a whole, I am asking you to pray for them”.

            Next Sunday, the 2^nd collection will be for the annual Fuel envelope for those who have not yet dropped of their envelope.  I know that you have been generous to the many collections over the past months.  I thank you for your continued support.  I do hope that you will be able to continue your generosity with the Fuel Collection.  Whatever you give, is greatly appreciated.

            Finally, Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.  We will distribute ashes after the Homily at the 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am and 7:00pm Tri-lingual Masses. Lent is a time when we prepare as a faith community to meet the risen Christ at Easter. It is a time for conversion, where we acknowledge and turn away from whatever keeps us from living the Gospel, a time to remind ourselves that we are called to lives rooted in right relationship with God and neighbour. As we prepare to meet Christ in his resurrected glory, we pray for a change of heart towards greater love of God and neighbour; we fast from self-indulgence and indifference to the poor and suffering; and finally, we share our food, our wealth and our time with others in need. Over these 40 days, may the Holy Spirit give us the strength to act justly, the courage to love tenderly and the faith to walk humbly with our God, that we might rejoice in the triumph of God’s justice in Jesus at Easter. Thanks for reading and have a great week!

                                                                                                Your Brother & Shepherd,

                                                                                                Rev. Msgr. Joseph Trinh