In today’s Gospel (Mark 9:2-10), Jesus wants to bring some focus to Peter, James, and John by having them witness the Transfiguration. The Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent always includes the Transfiguration. Jesus begins by leading the three Apostles up a mountain – the traditional place to which one went to encounter God.
In our First Reading today (Genesis 9:8- 15), God speaks to Noah and his children. It is God who takes the initiative, who acts first. By speaking to Noah, God intervenes in human history in order to establish a special relationship – a covenant - with Noah and his descendants. Today’s Reading describes the essence of God’s promise.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14th. There will be four Masses with distribution of Ashes that day, at 6:30 AM, 8:15 AM, 12:10 PM, and 6:30 PM.
From February 14 to March 25, our community will take part in 40 Days for Life. You’re invited to join other Christians for 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You’re also invited to stand with members from Our Lady of Fatima and peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood at 701 San Mateo NE on Tuesday, March 13 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
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.
Our Lady of Fatima’s Holy Name Society invites the men of the parish to attend the 5th annual “Lord, Teach Us to Get Closer to Jesus” Retreat, Saturday, February 17, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Madonna Retreat Center—4040 St. Joseph’s Place (behind St. Pius X High School). Cost is $25. Lunch is included.
Friday evenings during Lent (except Good Friday) the parish will be hosting a Lenten Soup Supper beginning at 5:30 PM in Fatima-Gallagher Hall. There is no charge for the meal. The meal will be followed by praying of the Stations of the Cross in the church at 7:00 PM.
A five-part series by Dr. Edward Sri entitled “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass”, February 15, 2018 through March 22, 2018. Please register in advance at the parish office or call 265-5868.
We are excited to announce that our parish has subscribed to a dynamic new online platform called FORMED. Every parishioner will have 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device. Visit formed.org and enter parish code 8448F9.
Next weekend is the beginning of our Annual Catholic Appeal campaign for 2018 and we will have the opportunity to complete pledge cards. The theme for this year’s campaign is “His Mercy Endures Forever… Give Drink to the Thirsty,” a continuation of the Year of Mercy that was observed two years.