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Lent and Easter, 2004
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As you can see by recent news reports, the powers of Hell are raging about us in ways that seemed impossible just a few years ago. In our society today, pure, unabated paganism is flourishing. There are so many clear examples; the horrendous and unjust reaction against Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ, human cloning attempts, the continuance of abortion, the blatant illegality and immorality of allowing something that is impossible, so called homosexual marriage, a distressing and increasing ignorance of God and His Commandments by large segments of society, and such frequent manifestations of incivility, rudeness, hatred and violence. That which has always been known to society as good has become evil, and that which has always been deplored as evil has become good. This horrible breakdown has affected the Church as well; the horrible priest scandals, the constant silence by those who should be proclaiming the truth from the housetops, the confusion in matters of Faith, the constant liturgical abuses supported even by some bishops, the denial of the legitimate rights of the people to have the Traditional Mass available to them in a “wide and generous application,” people too busy to attend Mass, and a lack of Faith, Hope, and Charity, even among the members of Christ’s Body. If ever there was a time to turn back to the Lord and beg His forgiveness it is NOW!
I encourage everyone to see the Passion of The Christ. It is totally Catholic and is a beautiful theological reflection on the Mass, the eternal re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Calvary. I ask everyone to make acts of reparation for the sins of our world that cry to God for vengeance. I suggest as strongly as can be suggested, that everyone go to Confession, especially those who have been away for years. I ask you to pray more fervently than you have in years. And I ask you to seriously make time to attend the Rites of Holy Week, here at Mater Ecclesiae, if at all possible.
A great deal of preparation and work go into all that is done during this most important week of the year. To participate in the ceremonies of Holy Week is to mystically re-live the events of our salvation. We are there at the Last Supper, we stand with the Blessed Mother at Calvary, and we await the Resurrection at the tomb.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who helps this parish with their monetary donations. I thank our regular parishioners for their constant monetary sacrifices, but we need everyone’s help. To give back to God from our bounty, known as tithing, is a serious obligation imposed by God himself. Lent is also a special time of almsgiving. If you are not a regular parishioner and you are not able to help us on a regular basis, I ask you to consider making a generous Lenten offering to Mater Ecclesiae at Easter. Your money will be put to good use for the building up of the Kingdom of God on earth. We need as many people as possible to help us continue the great work that God has allowed us to share in. I will remember all of you in my prayers. May God bless you in every way.
Devotedly in the Risen Lord,
The Reverend Robert C. Pasley
Rector