THE 5TH SUNDAY OF LENT AND GOD'S LOVE, MERCY, AND FORGIVENESS..........

The Word of God today speaks of the abiding Love of the Divine for humankind. First, Isaiah the Prophet describes how the Lord God delivers the Israelites from the bondage of captivity in Babylon. Forgiving their failure to always make their relationship with the Lord the central reality in their lives. John's Gospel Proclamation, the story of the Woman Caught in Adultery, shows how Jesus extends love, mercy, and forgiveness, to sinners, not accusing or condemning her, but yelling her to, "Go and sin no more". That is an instruction we as repentant, contrite, sinners who are Disciples of Jesus are meant to follow. As the days of Lent countdown to the most solemn and significant days in salvation history, open your hearts and minds to being reconciled with God and others, by celebrating the Sacrament of Penance. Most parishes schedule extra Confessions in coming days to give you ample opportunity to confess your sins and receive sacramental absolution. Here at Sacred Heart, there are 11 hours of scheduled between now and Holy Saturday and a Communal Penance Service with multiple confessors this Monday evening March 22.....Also, this afternoon in the church, Dr. Donald Kendrick and 'Schola Cantorum', the Sacred Heart 11 am Mass Choir presented their annual Spring Concert, this year named, "Lenten Choral Mysteries". It was a beautifully awesome presentation of their classic voices in song and music, singing sixteen compositions; beginning with Gregorian Chant and concluding with When I Survey The Wondrous Cross..........As the late Lawrence Welk was known to say, "May You Have A Song In Your Hearts" as the commemoration of the Paschal Mystery nears, Fr. Troy