Pastor’s Message – Church of Saint Benedict

February 27, 2026

Memorial of St. Gregory of Narek

O God, who has commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Collect for the Mass on the Second Sunday of Lent

Brothers and Sisters,

The Divine Face of the Father’s Mercy is revealed in the Transfiguration, which we will hear in the Gospel reading (Matthew 17:1-9) for Mass on the Second Sunday of Lent. For a moment, Jesus in the fullness of His divinity is made known to the apostles Peter, James, and John. They look upon the Face of God the Son and live.

As we will hear during Holy Week, the same God the Son permanently reveals the fullness of Divine Love and Mercy by making Himself completely vulnerable on the Cross. On the Cross, Jesus is vulnerable to all the cruelty and hatred we can throw at Him. He does so freely, to fulfill the will of God the Father to redeem and save us.

The discipline of Lent is a special invitation for us to become vulnerable, to recognize our sins, and accept the need for the Divine Mercy and Love who is Jesus the Lord. Our fasting, penance, and works of mercy are to make us more receptive to this transforming grace. Much of this transformation takes place in the silence of our hearts. In accepting the Cross and Resurrection we become a new creation, freed from sin and restored to life.

Each time we step into a confessional, we make ourselves vulnerable to Divine Mercy. Each time we participate in Mass, offering our worship and receiving Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, we make ourselves vulnerable to being transformed by grace. Each time we engage in a work of mercy, we make ourselves vulnerable to recognizing Jesus in those in need and being transformed by the experience.

May the discipline of Lent open our hearts to this redeeming grace so that we too can look upon the Face of God the Son for all eternity.

Our Parish

There have been three deaths in our parish in recent days, that of Baby Dre Donica, Tina Wagoner, and Rita Ehrle. Our condolences to their families and friends. Baby Dre’s funeral Mass was on Tuesday, February 24. The funeral Mass for Tina Wagoner was today at 11:00am at the parish church. The funeral Mass for Rita Ehrle will be on Wednesday, March 4 at 11:30am, also in the parish church.

Congratulations to the Zimmermann and Martin families, who are both presenting children this Sunday for baptism.

The retreat for those children preparing for First Reconciliation is this Sunday. They will make their first confessions on Wednesday, March 4. Please keep them in your prayers.

Incense will be used at the 9:00am Sunday Mass this weekend.

Thank you to those who made or renewed a pledge in support of the Faith & Works Annual Appeal last weekend. If you have not yet done so you are welcome to place your pledge envelope in the regular collection at Mass this weekend. Pledges can also be made online at www.dioceseoftulsa.org/annualappeal. Thank you for your generosity.

Mass during Lent & Stations of the Cross

Our parish practices on the Fridays of Lent include the devotion of the Stations of the Cross in the church at 6:00pm, followed by the meatless meal in McGuire Hall. All are welcome.

During Lent we have an additional daily Mass on Thursdays at 6:30am. The rest of our daily Mass schedule remains the same.

A parish practice at Sunday Mass during Lent is that many of the responses are sung in Latin. There are laminated cards in the pews to assist you.

Sunday Collection Envelopes

The company that prepares our Sunday Collection envelopes has had a delay in the printing and mailing of the March/April envelopes. If you do not receive them in time for Mass this weekend, please use a plain envelope. Please write your name and address on the envelope. Thank you for your generous support of the parish church, as well as your patience and understanding.

God bless and keep you safe.

Fr. Bryan