Lent begins this Wednesday, February 26 – Ash Wednesday.

02-23-2020Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

As Lent begins this Wednesday, February 26 – Ash Wednesday, I invite you to start the season by participating in our Day of Open Doors. Our church will be open from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm throughout the day for everyone to: receive ashes, go to Confession, go to Mass (8:15 am, 4:15 pm & 7:00 pm) at which ashes will be offered, spend some quiet time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel, and pray/talk with a Stephen Minister for special one-on-one support. In addition, Lenten reflection booklets and resources will be available for you to take home.

BEST LENT EVER is another special opportunity to be enriched and inspired during this season. By signing up at BestLentEver.com, you'll receive short daily video messages via email from Matthew Kelly and his team. These inspirational videos will help you to see some amazing possibilities as you strive to become the best version of yourself. In Lent, it's not what you give up, it's who you become! Do you remember receiving the book, Rediscover the Saints, at Christmas? BEST LENT EVER will be based on the reflections in that book. If you haven't read it yet, this is your opportunity to read it in parts as you listen to the daily reflections.

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What is your plan for Lent?

02-16-2020Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

We will be celebrating the season of Lent in just a week and a half, beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 26. Have you thought much about what you plan to do for Lent? Traditionally, we reflect on what Jesus came to do for us. By suffering and dying on the Cross, Jesus has taken upon himself our sins and the sins of the world, which expresses God's great mercy and forgiveness. In Lent, we prepare to renew our Baptismal promises at Easter by coming to terms with the ways we have not always renounced evil and sin, and have not put God at the center of our lives. We haven't always nurtured the gift of our Baptism. Consequently, in Lent, we take on some spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in order to root out sinful habits and renew God's divine life (grace) within us, which was first given at Baptism. We make more of an effort to participate at Mass each week – or even, every day. We plan a regimen to pray daily. We look for ways to reach out to those in need whom God has placed on our path.

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World Marriage Day

02-09-2020Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

This Sunday is World Marriage Day (WMD). It honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. The idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, La., in 1981, when couples encouraged the Mayor, the Governor and the Bishop to proclaim St. Valentines Day as "We Believe in Marriage Day." The event was so successful, the idea was presented to and was adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter's National Leadership. By 1982, 43 Governors officially proclaimed the day and celebrations spread to U.S. military bases in several foreign countries. In 1983, the name was changed to "World Marriage Day," designated to be celebrated each year on the second Sunday in February.

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Being Called to Give Hope

02-02-2020Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

There are many folks around us looking for hope. Maybe you're one of them. Some have lost loved ones or are dealing with a terminal illness, others are alienated from family members, or have seriously messed up their lives having made bad choices, or have faced daunting challenges they have had no control over such as a loss of a job. They long for some comfort and help to get them through their despair. Having neighbors, friends and loved ones who reach out in a critical time such as these is so very important. That is what community is all about, and there's a lot of goodness evident here in Duxbury and beyond, which offers hope.

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