The Fourth Sunday in Lent - Bulletin Reflection - St Jude Catholic Church - Pearl Mississippi - 22 March 2020

     Greetings to all of you as we commemorate this fourth Sunday in Lent, known as Laetare Sunday. Traditionally, this Sunday in Lent has been a day of celebration in midst of the 40 days in the desert. This Sunday gets its name from the first few words of the traditional Latin Introit for the Mass of the day: “Laetare Jerusalem”, meaning "Rejoice, O Jerusalem”.  These words come from Isaiah 66:10.

      When we started our Lenten journey, I don’t think any of us could have imagined what we are going through right now. We might wonder how we can "rejoice" on the fourth Sunday of Lent with all we are going through right now.  As a priest, I don’t think I could have imagined a time period when our parishes are closed.  However, we have been thrust into a new reality, one is which we are called to respond in perseverance and faith.  

       Know that we at St Jude are still journeying together as a faith community.  Daily, I am continuing to have Masses and devotions, which we are streaming through Youtube and Facebook.  We are still in communication and in prayer.  Please keep in touch with us through FlockNote emails, our Facebook Page, our Website, and our YouTube Channel.  In addition, the Cathedral of our Diocese has a YouTube Channel as well with Masses, which you can find under our Diocesan Facebook Page.  

       We will be having our Sunday Masses lived streamed on Facebook at 10:00 AM in English and 11:00 am in Spanish.  You can find our weekly schedule of streamed Masses in this bulletin and on our Website.   On Monday, we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in cars in front of the rectory at noon.  Mass will follow.  It will also be live streamed.  

       In the midst of struggle and confusion, we can find blessings.  Perhaps in the midst of what the world is going through right now, many will be drawn back into the faith.  Our prayers are united with all our you.  Know that your Church community here at St Jude and in the Diocese of Jackson is working hard to be here as a light during this time.  We will put out information about our Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter liturgies as soon as we know what the protocol will be.  Blessings to all of you.