Dear Parishioners,

I was reflecting the other day of how grateful I am to be back in parish work and assigned here at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. How good to the see the life of parish families – people who have been here since day one and those who are new members, those who come for the winter months and call this home. A parish is a place of encounter. First with God, but then with the Church, the people of God. The Church and our Sunday worship of God is a great reminder to us that God is part of our daily lives.

Over the next few weeks, we will follow Jesus as he heals, teaches and drives out demons. Our world, our families and our communities need the same. We or people we know, need to be healed, taught and to be safe from all that pulls us from a life with God. Sometimes we need clarity in a confusing world – the great question of what is truth is found in Jesus. Other times it is to be set free from despair, loneliness, addiction or negativity. As a people of faith, we rely on human intellect, science, medicine and history to teach and guide us but also trust in God’s divine presence. He is with us!

I want to encourage you to invite friends and neighbors who have strayed from regular attendance at Mass to come back during Lent, which begins on February 14th. It is a wonderful time to reconnect and renew our lives in Christ. Also, if you are not registered or connected on social media, please do register and connect with us. We try to share important parish information as well as the life of the parish during the week.

I hope you have found the book, “Beautiful Eucharist“ inspiring. I think it is important that we try to continue growing in our faith. Books like these help us to gain insight and knowledge about the great gift of the Eucharist and the saving action of every Mass.

Finally, thank you for your generous response to the SVDP jacket and sweater drive. It was amazing to see the mountains of clothes given. Keep the Jamaica missionaries in prayer – they expressed their gratitude of your many gifts that they will carry with them in their service to the poor.

May you find peace, strength and light in your ordinary daily walk with the Lord.

Peace in Him,

Fr. Fred

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