Bulletin: First Sunday of Lent, 3/9/25

SAINT CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH

39 West 200 South Kanab UT 84741

Office: (435) 644-3414 [Please leave a message and we will respond as quickly as possible]

parishinfo@kanabcatholicchurch.org

WEBSITE: kanabcatholicchurch.org

Sacramental Minister: Rev. Richard T. Sherman, Kanab, UT

SATURDAY VIGIL MASS  5:30 PM (Suspended Indefinitely)

SUNDAY MASS 9:00 AM

MASS DURING THE WEEK: MONDAY – SATURDAY 8:00 AM

CONFESSIONS BY APPOINTMENT

NOTE: If you have a sacramental emergency after parish office hours, please call 435-673-2604 for assistance.

Our next OPEN-DOOR SATURDAY is March 15, 2025 from 10:00 AM-Noon.  If you have friends or relatives that are interested in the Catholic faith, or are thinking of returning to the Church, please tell them about us and have them stop by. We would love to meet with them!  OPEN DOOR is scheduled every first and third Saturday of the month.

FINANCIAL REPORT:  March 2, 2025: Offertory: $1340; Donations Mail: $25; R&I: $170.  Thank you!

You can also donate on-line at kanabcatholicchurch.org

Diocesan Development Drive (DDD) We currently have received pledges totaling $5060 with $2805 paid in toward our goal of $9000.  So far 7 out of 73 (?) families have participated.  Thank you and please jump in and join the fun!!

PRAY FOR HEALING:  Sherilyn Wentz, Brenda Cain, Eva Montelongo, Sergio Olvera, Jenni Bistline, Suzy Lingwall, Greg Lowenberg, Mary Andeway, Frank Reese. Our Wounded Veterans.  If you have specific prayer requests, please leave us a phone message or send us an email.  We will get your intentions on the list.  We also remember all the sick and infirm at our daily Masses.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursday from 4 to 5:00 PM.

Community Rosary:  After the Monday morning Mass

Stations of the Cross:  Fridays during Lent at 6:00 PM.

Social Hour after Sunday Mass – Coffee, juice and bagels or muffins are served up along with some fabulous conversation.  Everyone is invited.

Religious Items:  While enjoying the fabulous conversation and refreshments during our social hour, take some time and browse our extensive selection of religious gifts including some amazing sale items.

Please give us ALL your money.  Since alms giving is a special part of the Lenten season, Holy Mother Church again offers you a number of extra opportunities to bask in the Lord’s riches while sharing your own.

The following special annual collections will be solicited in March:

3/9 Black and Indian Missions

3/30 Catholic Relief Services

Rice Bowl:  Collect your spare change (and $50 bills) during Lent, deposit in your very own personal rice bowl, submit to the parish to be donated to Catholic Relief Services.

Diocesan Development Drive (DDD) We are now accepting donations for the 2025 drive.  You can donate online at https://www.dioslc.org/ddd making sure to select St. Christopher’s in the dropdown menu.  If you need any other assistance making your donation, please contact Fr. Rick. Our goal this year is $9000.  Thank you in advance for all your extraordinary generosity.

SEEK Conference Replay:  The recent National Seek Conference held in Salt Lake City has offered, for free, the video recordings of the Keynote Addresses and more.  See the links below.  I would recommend especially #277 also featured below and I will likely make more suggestions in the coming weeks. https://seekreplay.com

https://seekreplay.com/video/277  ‘The Hemorrhaging Woman’, Living with Chronic Illness and not Losing Hope.  Dr. Edward Sri and Carrie Wagner.

Reporting Abuse Do you know how to report abuse?  If you observe or have reason to believe that a child, young person or vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse by a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, or at a diocesan location, you must report the alleged abuse to local law enforcement and state agencies, and you must notify the Diocesan Office of Safe Environment at (801) 328.8641, x344.  Learn More: https://www.dioslc.org/offices/safe-environment/reporting-abuse   If you have any questions or need any other help and support, please contact the Safe Environment Office at: safeenv@dioslc.org or call (801) 456.9344. 

Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible.  We will be meeting again this Wednesday at 6:00 PM and covering Session 6, Divided Kingdom, Exile and Return.

Homily Reflection:

The first reading today from the Book of Deuteronomy has Moses giving a brief history of Isreal’s journey to freedom and holiness.  This review is an attempt to help the Israelites avoid forgetfulness about the Lord’s faithfulness in the most dire circumstances, as well as the everyday events of life.  God often let the people languish extensively to help then realize the misery that results from disobedience and infidelity.  There is usually a direct correlation between fidelity, prosperity and freedom as well as a strong correlation between infidelity and slavery.  It is also becoming more obvious that God is calling individuals and specific tribes to be His representatives on earth.  God is calling them into a spousal, covenant relationship that required a reciprocal response.

Many of the Old Testament stories are meant to prefigure events to come in the New Testament.  If the Israelites remember their story, they will recognize the signs of the coming Messiah when they happen.

The first Sunday of Lent emphasizes the need to prepare for the many challenges that we will be facing in our own journeys as disciples of Christ.  The challenges will come for sure, and we must maintain a level of spiritual fitness to persevere and be victorious. Just as Israel was tested for 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus is tested for 40 days and nights in the desert.  Jesus is tempted to satiate His physical desires.  He is tempted with greed and avarice, and finally with Pride.  After Jesus successfully resists all the temptations, the devil leaves Him ‘for a time.’  Jesus knows the devil will be back and will once again tempt with things that are good and desirable, but nothing compared to the greater glory and joy of heaven.  The devil is still persisting in the lives of all of us and we can resist when we stay close to Jesus and trust in His care.

1  What was your longest period of suffering and how did your relationship with Jesus keep you from total despair?  How did that prepare you for the next big temptation to sin or bout of suffering?

2  When did you call out to the Lord and feel like you were ignored or abandoned by Him?  How did your waiting prepare you for something even better?

3  How will your Lenten disciplines prepare you for the three concupiscence’s faced by Jesus and all human beings?  What is your confidence level at this moment?

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“As all men are touched by God’s love, so all are also touched by the desire for His intimacy.  No one escapes this longing; we are all kings in exile, miserable without the Infinite.”                                       Bl. Fulton Sheen