TAKE AWAY: During the Announcements you will be offered the 1st ever Corpus Christi Magazine that captures the stories of the Vision --- and so: 1) Take one – yes, take one. Just take one per family! 2) Read it this week – even 1 story! 3) Write an email stating 1 thing that encourages you about the lives being changed here @ CC When you see what is happening right here in this parish I believe you will want to invest in the Vision!

Take Away: Fr Richard challenged parishioners last week to go at least once a month till the end of this year and bring ALL of your dark, difficult, and depressing stories to confession. and he would give $100 if it's not worth it by Dec.31! I want to augment this: It takes into account that you are going for the right reason – with a well-prepared confession, with repentance and contrition and a desire to love Jesus and others around you better. Go once a month and bring your children and when you come out then celebrate with a small treat (not costing much) I will bet you that if THIS IS WHAT YOU CELEBRATE in a creative way it would not have to cost you a lot. It could be something very simple or even a hug, something simple and joy-filled. With ourselves – you can’t have fireworks go off in the Church (hmmm) but you can – in your heart – thank Jesus for this incredible gift (raised arms … even inside) The next time someone asks you “what do you celebrate” you can mention many things but now I am really encouraging you to include – something that will get their attention: Confession!!!

Take away: What does it mean for you? For the people who received the sacrament of Penance these 3 days I encourage you to renew your resolve to receive the sacrament often. Let Jesus teach you that He can do everything and will help you get closer to him. If you did not receive the sacrament of Penance these 3 days then resolve to receive the power that Jesus wants to give you to share in his victory over sin and death and to receive it often. Jesus is our HOPE; JESUS CAN DO EVERYTHING and in the wild world that we live in it is important to know that we don’t have to be able to do everything because JESUS CAN DO EVERYTHING so if you are suffering for whatever reason and are questioning the purpose of your life then Jesus awaits to share with you his power over life and death in the sacrament of Penance. As we will hear very soon – this powerful sacrament of hope is the very first gift that Jesus gave to his Church! So why not receive it often!

Takeaway for today Imagine for a moment – just close your eyes and open your heart – imagine what this parish would look like and be like if every one of us – if YOU, if I – would let Jesus be the one to guide you - He would be the One who gives your whole life purpose? You would refer to him; you would ask him constantly to help you go through whatever you're going through and so on To have this in our life it is required that we give Jesus permission to guide us 100%. I invite you to pray this with me: Lord Jesus - you rode a donkey into Jerusalem - a place that was a very stress filled situation and yet that donkey had peace and serenity. Lord - I want to freely give you permission to guide my life; to be with me in both calm situations and especially in the stress filled situations of my life. Help me to see you as the purpose for everything in my life and in doing so to know the peace and serenity of that donkey. Amen .

Take away: Next week either in confession, via email or in person: Come tell me: what is an area of your life in which you were blind but now see? Imagine this parish community in which we are all aware of our blindness and sin – where we are living in the truth --- but we surrender to Jesus - like Stephen Lungu - and let Him give us new sight and a new dignity through the light of his grace in baptism - receiving it and living it more fully! I invite you all right now to say this prayer with me: Come Lord, I want to see! I am a sinner. Have mercy on me! Touch my eyes and make of me a new creation. Open my eyes to who you are and who I am in you. Help me see everything through your eyes, in your light. Make me a new creation and with my witness to the joy of living in your light, may others be drawn to you too! https://bccatholic.ca/voices/anna-loch/if-jesus-can-change-a-gang-leader-s-life-he-can-change-ours

Take away What would it look like if we had a community where we’re all trying to be Sam’s for one another? Whether it is when you leave the Church today --- or when you are at home or going to work Monday - note that person for whom you can be a “Sam Gamgee” to — who is the Frodo in your life - your wife, son or daughter or colleague. Who is that person who need encouragement and ask Jesus to help you help them!

Take away Lent begins in a couple of days with Ash Wednesday. The 40 days of Lent gives us the opportunity to grow in the perfection of charity by making time to be with Jesus. Two possible ways to discover and experience the Father’s love – learn yourself – over and over again by reading about God’s perfect love for his children: Bible in a Year – just start listening today! OR read the bible each day this week for 15-20 minutes – starting with St Matthew So you’ve heard about the Prodigal son – you know “that person” in your life: do what the Father does: wait, pray for that person from your heart even if they do not respond. Then you will know what “be perfect as your Father is perfect” REALLY MEANS.