Our elect are in the final stages of their preparation for the Easter Sacraments. I would hope that these people are the focus of your prayers during these final weeks of Lent. We need to realize that these elect are the new lifeblood of Our Lady of Hope. They should be welcomed and congratulate with open arms and hearts by every other member of our parish. Please plan on attending the ceremonies of the Triduum with them and especially to be with them on their special night at the Holy Saturday Vigil ceremony. This is a time for the people of the parish to gather together and rejoice in the passage of Jesus from death to new life. It is the most solemn night of the church year and the ceremony is filled with beautiful and meaningful symbols of our faith. In the midst of all this ceremony the elect are welcomed to receive the life giving sacraments of initiation. It is a ceremony not to be missed and a time for all of us to enter deeply into the Paschal mystery.

   If you missed the soup lunch sponsored by the youth group last Sunday you missed some excellent soup, great fellowship and a chance to support our young people as they get ready for their Summer trip to Camp Daniel. All proceeds from these Lenten meals go to help finance the wonderful work that our young people are involved in. They have had two meals so far and both were tremendous successes.  If you haven’t been able to attend you have one more chance next weekend on Saturday after the 5PM mass when they will host one more. The meal is great but the cause is even greater. Plan on coming, they may even have some chowder (not Clem I hope).

  I have really been impressed with the attendance at our Lenten activities and liturgies. I hope that we can keep up with great start we have made on the journey of Lent. It isn’t too late to get involved in activities that will deepen your relationship to God Take another look at those activities and join those who are praying and learning together this Lent.

  The weather is getting warmer. Spring training has begun. Hope springs eternal. Guess what loyal Chicago baseball fans, IT IS NEXT YEAR AGAIN!

   Happy St. Patrick's Day  -  Happy St. Joseph's Day  -  Happy Lent  Have a Great Week Know that you are loved and live that love.

                                                                                    Fr. Clem