Mass was packed. It was fuller than standing room only! The Rosary was recited before Mass as was the Angelus.
The music was accompanied by an organ in the choir loft:
Opening: In These Days of Lenten Journey
Ashes: Ashes
Offertory: Turn to Me
Communion: On Eagle's Wings and Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Closing: The Glory of These Forty Days
Father skipped the Penitential Rite and used Eucharistic Prayer II. There were bells.
The homily was given by one of the Deacons. Lent is the time for the great retreat of the Church. A time to prepare and intensify our commitment to Jesus Christ. We are challenged to step back in quiet and in a private way, but with fervor, to recommit to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (that seems rather *Protestant*). Deacon then proposed thinking about a few things. 1. Retreat. The 40 days of Lent should be a retreat. On the first thing you touch in the morning, put a sticky note that you are on retreat to set the tone for the day. We need to fast. Turn off the tech. We need silence to hear the Lord's voice (well...if the Lord would just get on Twitter....), You are my Beloved, Come Away with Me (to Key Largo, Montego...er...). 3. Spend time with the Lord and His Word. You are and can never be anything else other than a Beloved Child. 4. Pray for an open heart and eyes. Go to Confession. This is a graced time. A time to deepen our sense of His Love and Forgiveness for each of us.
Pictures:
St. Joseph
Bells
View from the Back Pew!
Ashes
Visitation
Wedding of Joseph and Mary
In the Temple
In Heaven
Presentation
Nativity
Joseph's Dream
St. Anne and Mary
Jesus is Baptized
(This was in the Confessional. Needless to say...)
Website of St. Joseph
Pictures from Rome of the West
FYI: Monsignor would like you to know that St. Joseph has daily noon Mass with Confession before hand if you would like to avail yourself of the Sacraments in this Lenten season...
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