This Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday from the Latin word for “rejoice.” Today we celebrate the fact that our Lenten journey is drawing closer to the great celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Typically, the priest and deacon wear rose color vestments on this Sunday and the sanctuary is permitted to have floral decoration as we anticipate the joy of the Resurrection even in this penitential season. We are especially blessed at Resurrection Parish to have 18 people in the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), who will be entering the Church at the Easter Vigil. We have 11 people who are catechumens. (I hope the heater in the baptismal font is working!) As we celebrate the second scrutiny for them this weekend, we continue to encourage them by our prayers and witness to the faith. 

There are still several opportunities available to deepen our prayer life before Holy Week. Mrs. Susan Rauscher, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities, will present on stories of hope around the Diocese of Pittsburgh to conclude our Speaker Series on Wednesday, April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in Capistran Hall. We also continue to offer Stations of the Cross, Lenten Confessions, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, an emphasis on Catholic social teaching in the bulletin, and a collection for St. Vincent de Paul on the weekend of April 5th & 6th. Our time of Lent is running short, but there is no better time than the present to grow in our faith and rejoice in the Lord’s desire for our conversion. 

Holy Thursday Bus Pilgrimage: Continuing a tradition of St. Philip Neri, Resurrection Parish will visit seven churches on Holy Thursday evening immediately following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Bus will board approximately at 8:30 p.m. and return to St. Thomas More at midnight for night prayer. Space is limited. Please go to resurrectionpgh.org/lent or call the office to register. $10 cost to cover the trip.