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Our Readings at Mass today go straight to the heart of our Catholic faith. They speak of death, and new life in Christ. In the First Reading, from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:12-14), we heard: “Thus says the Lord God: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel.” In the Gospel (John 11:1-45), the stone has been rolled back from the tomb of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus. Jesus commanded that he come forth from the tomb and be released from all the wrappings that bound him up, and then set him free.  

This coming Saturday, March 25th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord –nine months to the day of his birth in Bethlehem. The Gospel for that day is Luke 1:26-38, and it describes the event of the Annunciation, and encourages us to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary by placing our trust in God.

In our Second Reading today (Romans 5:1-2, 5-8) what does Saint Paul mean when he writes: “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”? It helps to remember and understand that faith and  salvation are not something we can achieve on our own, because they are God’s freely given gift. This does not mean that we are merely puppets in a cosmic salvation show, or passive recipients of God’s actions. The truth is, that with free will, our actions and choices – our commitment to Gospel living  – does matter before God.  

Fr. Jojireddy (Joe) Konkala, has been named as Fr. Edward’s replacement as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Fr. Joe was born on April 10, 1981 in Nusikattala Village, Andhra Pradesh, India, where his mother still lives. His father passed away in January, 2021.  He has two brothers and one sister. Fr. Joe joined the seminary and studied theology before  he was ordained a priest on April 19, 2010 by the Most Reverend Anthony Poola, the Present Cardinal for the Diocese of Kurnool in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Fr. Joe has served various roles in five parishes since his ordination, including parishes in India as well as at St. Patrick’s Church in Shamrock, Texas, in the Diocese of Amarillo. Let us welcome Fr. Joe to our parish, and we look forward to his ministry.

Join us at St. Pius X High School for a night of dinner and entertainment! Friday, March 17, 2023 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Now Accepting Sponsorships and Donations. All proceeds benefit the Good Shepherd Center, a St. John of God ministry. For more information visit www.gscnm.org, or call 505-249-6416.

Archbishop Wester has decreed that all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, who are 14 years and older, are dispensed from the obligation to abstain from eating meat ONLY on Friday, March 17th, 2023 in observance of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. It is not required that anyone make use of this dispensation. Those who do wish to make use of it are encouraged to abstain from meat on some other day as part of their penitential practices. Click to Read More

Lent is a season of change; a season of transforming our spiritual lives. There seems a natural correlation since the very word “Lent” is rooted in a word that meant “spring” and we are all familiar with the changes that take place in springtime as the earth bursts forth with new life that has been dormant during the winter season. Unfortunately, while nature seems quite incapable of resisting the changes common to springtime, we human beings seem all too capable and willing to resist changes in our lives. Transformation requires energetic effort. It challenges and disturbs our comfortable patterns of behavior, even when those patterns may be harmful to us, either physically or spiritually.

Although fasting is only required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, many people use fasting as a spiritual exercise on additional days during the Lenten season. The Scriptures are filled with examples of fasting where the rewards sought and attained were spiritual. Jesus fasted forty days in the  desert before beginning his public ministry; Moses fasted before receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai; Elijah fasted before meeting the Lord on Mt. Horeb (also known as Mt. Sinai); St. Paul’s ministry began after a period of prayer and fasting that followed his being blinded on the road to Damascus; and the disciples were encouraged by the Lord to fast when he was no longer with them.

This past Wednesday, Fr. Edward Okpu was found to have experienced a "massive" stroke that has left him severely incapacitated. He is currently hospitalized and we are told that he faces a long and challenging period of rehabilitation with extensive therapy. It appears unlikely that Fr. Edward will be returning to our parish for quite some time. We are grateful to Fr. Edward for the ministry he has provided here at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, and ask everyone to pray for his recovery. 

View the 2023 Lent, Holy Week and Easter Schedule for Our Lady of Fatima Parish.

Wednesday of this week is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. There are some people who seem to have a mistaken understanding of the reception of ashes and assign more importance to receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday than they do to attending Sunday Mass. Do not be misled. The ashes are NOT a Sacrament. They are what is called a “sacramental” and are no different than blessing yourself with Holy Water when you enter or leave the church. What is exceptional about the reception of ashes is that it normally occurs only one day a year (on Ash Wednesday), and that it is an outward sign  a public declaration, if you will  that one is a sinner and is in need  of God’s mercy and forgiveness. If we receive the ashes and then do not follow it up with a Sacramental Confession at some point during Lent, we have done nothing but condemn ourselves as hypocrites.

Join us. The Seven Last Words of Christ, Presented by Pastor Emeritus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rev. Christopher Zugger. 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Mon., Tues. & Wed.). Confessions on Wednesday, March 15, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM —During presentation 

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the church at 7:00 PM on Fridays during Lent (February 24, 2023 through March 31, 2023). The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be offered prior to the Stations of the Cross, from 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM.

Every Friday, February 24, 2023 through March 31, 2023 - 5:30 PM. Simple Soup Supper in gym of Fatima-Gallagher Hall. Soup Supper Hosts: 02/24/23—Parish Council & Finance Council, 03/03/23—Eucharistic Ministers & Lectors, 03/10/23—Our Lady of Fatima School, 03/17/23—Holy Name Society, 03/24/23—Coffee and Donuts, 03/31/23—Choir & Women's Guild.

Today’s First Reading comes from the Book of Sirach in the Old Testament (Sirach 15:15-20), and it offers the Jewish people advice on how to live their lives in a manner worthy of God, and make the choice between good and evil. This same principal would later be stated multiple times by Saint Paul when he would encourage the early Christian communities to live in a manner worthy of the call (Baptism) they have received.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22, 2023. There will be three Masses with distribution of Ashes that day, at 6:30 AM, 8:15 AM, and 5:30 AM. The distribution of ashes will take place after the homily. There will also be a Liturgy of the Word (no Communion) with distribution of ashes at 12:10 PM.

 Next weekend is the beginning of our Annual Catholic Appeal campaign for 2023 and we will have the opportunity to complete pledge cards. The theme for this year’s campaign is “A Future of Hope and Healing” If they have not already, Parishioners should soon receive a letter, pamphlet, and pledge card from Archbishop John Wester regarding the importance of the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).

All ministry volunteers are required by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to have a current VIRTUS certificate of training on file in the Parish Office before they begin serving in their chosen ministry. We will be hosting an in-person training session on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Fatima-Gallagher Hall for those parishioners who do not have access to a computer. The class begins at 9:45 AM and you must arrive early to fill out the information and attendance sheet. The doors will be closed promptly at the beginning of the class and you will not be allowed entrance if you are late. If you wish to attend the in-person class, please call the Parish Office to place your name on the roster by Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Join us on Saturday, February 25, 2023. We will begin with Mass at 7:30 AM in the Church and then gather in Fatima-Gallagher Hall. $25.00 lunch, provided. Retreat Speaker: Deacon Timoteo Lujan on the topic of “The Church as Servant”, the mission of all the baptized to serve as Christ came to serve. Make checks payable to: Our Lady of Fatima Holy Name Society. Contact Joseph Tapia or Marcus Garcia Or call the Parish Office at 505-265-5868.

Schools as communities of faith, knowledge, and service. Within our own parish, Our Lady of Fatima School has been fulfilling this role for 73 years. Thousands of students have benefited from the  education and spiritual formation they received at Our Lady of Fatima School over the years, and today’s students continue to do so.