3RD SUNDAY OF LENT - DAY OF 1ST SCRUTINY AND THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION @SACHEART.............

As we commemorate the 3rd Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well encountering Jesus, from the Gospel of John 4:5-42;.  It chronicles her search for water.  Jesus' interaction with her was itself a radical move in the practice of Jews and Samaritans.  She was a woman, a serious sinner, and a Samaritan, people whom the Jews had no relationship with who held enmity for each other.  But Jesus conversed with her and not only told what she had done and to go and sin no more, but offered her not only water quenching her human thirst, but the Water of Life, to meet her spiritual and infinite needs.  It is on this day that we celebrate the First Scrutiny with our R.C.I.A. Elect, who are in final readiness for their forthcoming Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil. They are called before the worshipping community, prayed for, blessed, and exorcised, from the power of sin, as they strive to embrace and live the purification and enlightenment of Discipleship with Jesus Christ.  That is occuring at the 9:30 a.m. Mass here at SacHeart, followed by our weekly Breaking of the Word gatherng.  Today is also Confirmation Day for the 7th Grade students of Sacred Heart  Parish School and Religious Education Ministry.  I have gladly accepted Msgr. Walton's considerate invitation to join them, and will attend the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation.  May all our Elect and students for sacramental Initiation be truly empowered by God's Spirit in Living their Catholic-Christian Faith.............Fr.  Troy