“The Lord God is my Help…”

…”The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” The first reading for our Palm Sunday celebration is a powerful reminder of God’s promise. The Lord God is our help…our salvation…our hope…and our strength. Given all the challenges of our lives and our world, we need to daily renew our hope and trust in Jesus Christ. We need to set ourselves…our hearts…our prayer…like flint…upon the Lord. God will never let us be ‘disgraced’, and even more, God will come to our aid. The power of this Holy Week is that it boldly, and unmistakably, proclaims the depth and breadth of God’s love and care for us in Jesus Christ.

…Welcome to Holy Week. How can we use these most holy days to set our ‘hearts’ like ‘flint’ upon the Lord. Meaning, how can we be focused, rivoted and passionate about the Lord. Jesus comes to save us, not in a time gone by or in some future day. Jesus wants to come more fully into our lives today…this day. Jesus wants to come and help us in our daily life. We need to set our hearts, our faces, our lives, like flint, upon the Lord. Please see today’s bulletin for all the services for Holy Week and Easter. Come open your heart more fully to the Lord.

…Take a moment to recollect on all the events of this week gone by….it is very clear to me, and I am sure to you, that we desperately need our Savior to come to our aid…to rescue us. We need the Light that is stronger than the darkness. How can we bring ourselves more closely to the Lord and invite our loved ones to gather with us in prayer?

…Today we see a ‘sea of red’ as so many wear red as the color of the intense love of God. This week wear something, like a cross, not as a piece of jewelry but as a reminder of your faith and your commitment to walk faithfully with the Lord our God.

…I had a great moment on Monday as one of our teens was walking through the PLC. He said, “Father Bob, remember, Romans 12:12” which is: Rejoice in Hope, Endure in Suffering. Be Faithful in Prayer. It’s our Lent theme. It’s the pattern and promise of the Cross… and for this teen, it was the first scripture passage he could quote by verse. Praise be God.

…On Easter you will see our focus turn to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He sent His Son, not to condemn us, but to save us.” God’s love for us, changes everything!

…Please invite your family and friends to join you next Sunday as we celebrate the Joy of Easter. It’s a great moment to ‘evangelize’ which is as simple as asking loved ones and friends to join you on Easter Sunday at Saint Ambrose. Remember our stewardship prayer, “Our Church will be friendly, if we are friendly. It will be welcoming, if we welcome. Its pews will be filled, if we help fill them.” See today’s bulletin for a complete schedule. We will have off-duty police to assist with traffic and parking.

…We are very blessed to welcome 20 adults and 10 children into the Catholic Community at the Easter Vigil. What an amazing sign of God’s grace and goodness stirring in the hearts of our community. Please join me in praying for our new members and welcoming them into our community – the family of God. Our bulletin today includes their pictures and names. If you can, drop them a card or note and assure them of your prayers and support.

…Many, many thanks to our Fish Fry Team for their great efforts throughout the Lenten Season. Please join us on Good Friday for the last fish fry of the season. Great food. AMAZING people. All the proceeds will be set aside to help us renovate the chapel. Please join us.

…Many thanks to our Art and Environment Team who have so beautifully decorated the Church for Palm Sunday and are ramping up for Easter. They are a great blessing to our community. They could use some help this week….even for an hour or two….as we get ready for Easter. Contact Helen Lanzarotta for information or decorating times (hlanzarotta@StAmbrose.us). Many hands make for light work. Thanks, also, to all who so wonderfully supported the Easter Flower and Decorations. Your support helps keep our Church looking fresh throughout the season.

…Today’s bulletin contains an update on our Church repair/renovation plans. Please take some time to review our efforts to care for our Church so it can best serve our community for generations to come. Please keep this very important effort in your prayers and thoughts.

…As we bring to a close the Season of Lent, this Sunday evening is the last opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will have several priests available for the individual celebration of the Sacrament from 6:30 pm until 8 pm. Come and experience the outpouring of God’s grace and mercy.

…In the joy of the Easter Season we will be celebrating and bringing to a close our 60th anniversary year with a wonderful Dinner-Dance on Saturday, April 28. It promises to be a fun night with great food, live music and lots of wonderful people. Make plans to join us.

…Josh Cochrac has been working hard to engage Young Adults in our parish community. This coming Friday, he is leading a young adult Good Friday evening of reflection. Next Thursday a social night is planned at Sidelines. Today’s bulletin gives the details. Invite your young adult children and grandchildren to join Josh and the other young adults who have been working hard on these events.

…Here’s my Holy Week challenge: When I was growing up, Good Friday from 12 to 3 pm was a very special, quiet time. On Good Friday, how can you and your family do something special during this holy time?

…May God bless you in this most Holy Week. Be assured of my thoughts and prayers. Please join us as we come together and remember the saving deeds of Jesus Christ.