Saint Catharine & Saint Margaret
Social Media Outreach Ministry
Celebrating the Eucharistic Revival
Sunday's Gospel
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!”
And he told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.’”
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!”
And he told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.’”
Fr Damian's Reflection
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Gospel is about the Samaritan woman at the well and centers around the themes of water and life. Generally speaking, the Samaritan woman can be said to represent three oppressed groups of people: women in general, immoral people, and outsiders, including people who are unclean, infidels, or foreigners.
The story begins with Jesus showing himself as a needy person: tired, hungry, and thirsty. We constantly have to remind ourselves how genuinely human Jesus was. As stated in the Fourth Eucharistic Prayer, he was…like us in all things but sin.
He asks help from a person he was supposed to avoid (a strange woman on her own) and also to hate—a Samaritan. She is very surprised at his approach, but her surprise allows Jesus to turn the tables and offer her "living water." She, understanding him literally, asks how he can give it as he has no bucket. But the water that Jesus will give is different. He says: everyone who drinks of this water [i.e.
from the well] will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.
Again and literally, the woman wants this water that lasts forever, thinking she will never have to trudge to the well again. What is this water that Jesus speaks about? It is God's Spirit that comes to us in Baptism. The Sacrament of Baptism is not just a ritual producing magic effects. It is the outward, symbolic sign of a deep reality, the coming of God as a force penetrating every aspect of a person's life.
This happens through our exposure to Jesus and the Gospel vision of life and through our becoming totally converted to that vision. This can only happen through our living encounter with the Christian community into which we are called to enter. The Spirit quenches our thirst by not removing our desire for God's presence but continually satisfying it.
The woman at the well, after encountering Jesus, becomes a messenger, sharing her newfound faith with her community. She leaves behind her water jar, symbolizing the abandonment of her old life and the embrace of a new one. This Lent, let us reflect on the "living water" Jesus offers. Are we willing to acknowledge our thirst and allow him to fill us? Are we ready to leave behind our burdens and become witnesses to his transformative love? Like the Samaritan woman, may we find the courage to share the good news and invite others to drink from the well of salvation.
Let us remember that Jesus sees us, knows us, loves us, and desires to give us living water that springs up to eternal life.
With Love and Blessings,
Fr Damian
Lyrics for Weekend Hymns
HERE I AM LORD
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save
I have made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart
2. I the Lord of snow and rain I have heard my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them, they turn away
I will break their hearts of stone give them hearts for love alone
I will speak my word to them whom shall I send?
Refrain
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save
I have made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart
2. I the Lord of snow and rain I have heard my people’s pain
I have wept for love of them, they turn away
I will break their hearts of stone give them hearts for love alone
I will speak my word to them whom shall I send?
Refrain
Come To Me
Refrain
Come to me all who labour and are heavy burdened,
And I shall give you rest
Take up my yoke and learn from me
For I am meek and humble of heart.
And you’ll find rest for your souls,
Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall never be in need,
Fresh and green are the meadows where he gives me rest.
Refrain
2. Beside peaceful waters you restore my true self
There you lead me to walk in the path of new life.
Refrain
3. Should I be surrounded by the shadows of death,
I will not fear, for you are steadfast in your love.
Refrain
Look Beyond
Refrain
Look beyond the Bread you eat see your Savior and Your Lord
Look beyond the cup you drink see His love poured out as blood
1. Give us a sign that we might believe in You
Moses brought us manna from the sky
Refrain
2. I am the bread from which the heavens came
Those who eat this bread will never die
Refrain
Look beyond the Bread you eat see your Savior and Your Lord
Look beyond the cup you drink see His love poured out as blood
1. Give us a sign that we might believe in You
Moses brought us manna from the sky
Refrain
2. I am the bread from which the heavens came
Those who eat this bread will never die
Refrain
I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say
1. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, and rest
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad
I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad.
1. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, and rest
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad
I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad.
2. I heard the voice of Jesus say “Behold I freely give
The living water, thirsty one stoop down and drink and live”
I came to Jesus and I drank of that life giving stream
My thirst was quenched my soul revived And now I live in Him
ATTENTION ALL EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
We are in the process of updating our parish ministry records. Please click HERE to complete a brief Eucharistic Minister Survey. Thank you for your dedication to our parish community!
Dear Parishioners,
As we enter the season of Lent, please carefully consider participating in one of the Lenten activities listed below. A little reminder: Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but we will have multiple services available. This year, we will also offer the Chosen series on Thursdays at 1 PM in Duffy Hall.
With Love and Blessings,
Fr Damian
Lenten Penance Service - April 8
St. Margaret Church - 6:00pm
Holy Thursday – April 17
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
St. Catharine Church – 7:00pm
Good Friday – April 18
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
St. Margaret Church – 3:00pm
Holy Saturday – April 19
Easter Vigil
St. Catharine Church – 8:00pm
Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025
St. Margaret Church
8:00am
St. Catharine Church
9:00am
12 noon
St. Catharine School Playground*
10:00am
*Move to St. Margaret Church if inclement weather
Stations of the Cross
March 21, 28 & April 4: Stations of the Cross
5:00PM - St. Margaret Church
April 11: Living Stations
5:00PM - St. Margaret Church
Alumni are important to St. Catharine School. You are the foundation on which the school has grown and because of your support, continues to thrive. We invite all SCS Alumni to join our network and stay connected! Sign up today to receive updates, news, and events.
If you're planning an alumni anniversary or reunion, please know we would love to host your class for a walk down memory lane and a tour of our renovated school.
The doors are always open here at SCS!
If you're planning an alumni anniversary or reunion, please know we would love to host your class for a walk down memory lane and a tour of our renovated school.
The doors are always open here at SCS!
Mass Schedule
St. Margaret Church
Saturdays:
3 PM Confessions
4 PM Mass
Sundays:
8 AM Mass
10 AM Mass
St. Catharine Church
Saturdays:
5 PM Mass
Sundays:
9 AM Mass
12 PM Mass