Lent 2015 has begun. Many thanks to those who came out for our
celebrations of Ash Wednesday. Thanks to our school communities, St. Dominic,
Queen of Heaven and St. Paul Secondary for preparing your readers and ministers
for the Ash Wednesday school liturgies.
Fr. Ernest Munchai Ezeeogu +
It is with much regret that I inform you of the death of Fr. Ernie on
February 13th, 2015. As you will recall, Fr. Ernie was here for a
year replacing me while I was ill and in hospital. Fr. Ernie was
diagnosed with a tumor in the brain several months ago. Unfortunately, the
doctors in Nigeria were unable to operate and Fr. Ernie passed away last week.
It is with great fondness that I will remember him and his weekly joke at the
end of Mass. Although I did not hear them, I heard about them and how much
people appreciated Fr. and his humor and good nature. After I returned
from the hospital, Fr. Ernie stayed on for several months and it was during
that time that I developed a friendship with Fr. Ernie. He was extremely helpful
to me during this time and I will always remember his good nature and jolly
disposition in the rectory. I will miss communicating with him on Skype and via
email. On behalf of the parish community, I would like to extend our sympathy
and prayers to Fr. Ernie’s community, the Spiritan Fathers and his family, both
here and in Nigeria. Fr. Ernie, rest in peace.
Lenten Thoughts
To truly
enter into the spirit of Lent is to grow in freedom, in discriminating wisdom,
and in truth. It allows us to see through the cheap attractiveness of
temptation and become inclined to the deeper truths that underlie our heart’s
deepest, truest desires.
Meditation: What in my life attracts or tempts me to substitute
truth for comfort, the status quo for conversion, apparent goods for the only
true good in my life?
Today's Gospel Reading finished with Jesus announcing
in Galilee, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;
repent, and believe in the good news. As members of the Kingdom of God, during
the Lenten Season, we are called to repent of our sins that offend God. We are
called to frequently remember the triumph of Jesus. We are called to
triumphantly live our faith in Christ as baptized children of God. We are
called to go forward and shine by our obedience, our servitude, our charity
towards others, through prayers, sacrifices, all in the love of God. Doing so,
we know that in the end, our triumph shall also be glorious through the
salvation that we shall inherit as children of God.
Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to be deceived. Give me wisdom
to discern truth, and the courage to live that truth in my life.
Wishing you
all a prayerful Lenten Season!
Fr. Phil