Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
In the old days, if you wanted to become Catholic, you studied the Baltimore Catechism. When you knew the answers, you met with the priest. He would quiz you. Who is God? What is man? Why did God make you? If you knew the answers, he would baptize you at a private ceremony. That’s how you became Catholic.
Becoming Catholic has changed.
The model of teacher-student has changed to disciple-apprentice. The goal of a knowledgeable Catholic has changed to the goal of an active member of a believing community. The formation of those becoming Catholic takes place not in a classroom or rectory but above all in liturgy and the Mass. The primary resource is not a textbook or catechism but the lectionary and Bible. The official process to become Catholic is called The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. (It used to be RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.) In other words, becoming Catholic is more than learning the creed and when to kneel and stand. Becoming Catholic is to have a living, loving friendship with the Lord Jesus through his Church.
Cavita, Xavier, and Danya have been coming to Mass the past year and meeting weekly to learn church teaching. The next three Sundays at the 11:30 a.m. Mass, we pray for them during a special rite called the Scrutinies. We pray that the Lord uncover and cast out from them what is sinful and strengthen what is upright, strong and good. God willing, they will be baptized at the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, April 19.
With them during Lent, we pray, fast, and give alms in order to enter more deeply into Christ’s death and resurrection. We ask that the Lord change our hearts:
- from seeing life as a series of problems, one thing after another, to seeing life as a daily gift
- from seeing Lent as a time for self-improvement to seeing Lent as a time for relationship-improvement with Christ
- from seeing God as an impersonal force to seeing God as a loving Father worthy of trust
- from seeing Jesus as a teacher and holy man to seeing Jesus as living Lord and risen Savior
- from seeing the Church as a place where you go to seeing the Church as a people to whom you belong
Lent is only the beginning. Easter is the prize. Easter is a fifty-day season to celebrate our resurrection and new life in Christ. The hinge between Lent and Easter is Holy Week. Beginning with Palm Sunday on April 13, we enter into the Passion of the Lord. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil are three parts of one Mass. Holy Week commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mark Holy Week on your calendars. Black out the dates. Let the Lord use this holy time to open your eyes.
Blessed Lent,
Father David
RECONCILIATION
-St Margaret Mary in Winter Park: Monday, March 24 at 7 pm
-Nativity in Longwood: Tuesday April 1 at 7 pm
-Most Precious Blood in Oviedo: Wednesday April 2 at 7 pm
-St. Augustine in Casselberry: Thursday April 3 at 6:30 pm
-St. Mary Magdalen in Altamonte Springs: Tuesday April 8 at 7 pm
-St. Francis in Apopka: Wednesday April 9 at 6:30 pm
-Annunciation in Longwood: Wednesday April 16 at 6:30 pm
ANOINTING OF SICK
We will offer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick during morning Mass at 8:30 a.m.
this Monday, March 24
for all who are gravely ill.
REST IN PEACE
-The funeral Mass for Betty Schrader is Wednesday, March 26 at 11:00 a.m.
-The funeral Mass for Nancy Davis is Friday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel.
USE YOUR VOICE
The Florida legislative session is March 4 through May 2, 2025. Get action alerts, calls to prayer, and Catholic perspective on issues important to our faith. Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops - FLORIDA CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK (FLCAN) - Tallahassee, FL
OUR CATHOLIC APPEAL
Thank you to the 262 pledges to Our Catholic Appeal 2025 – Diocese of Orlando, Florida. Our goal is 330. Only 68 more. Please make a pledge by April 15.
LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS
We are collecting during Lent long sleeve shirts for farmworkers Page 08 | Orlando e-Edition - Florida Catholic Media | thefloridacatholic.org
