Dear Fellow Parishioners, Life is a journey, and we are pilgrims on a spiritual journey. Think of the Israelites journeying with Moses from slavery in Egypt into the promised land of milk and honey. The story of Exodus is very similar to our personal and communal spiritual journey. We do not make this journey alone. We are not only with all the souls in The Catholic Community of Sacred Heart, but we also journey with Catholics and other Christians throughout the world. After the many activities from Thanksgiving to the New Year and the isolation due to the pandemic, I asked us all to press the “Reset Button” so that we could be relaxed and refreshed to begin our Lenten journey. Hopefully, you have taken the time to do that. If not, it is never too late. We need the energy to continue the faith journey. Someone recently told me that they had no energy or enthusiasm to enter Lent this year. If that is the case, then who is the “authority” you are listening to? Mark 1:12 tells us “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert!” Who is “driving” or leading your Spiritual Life? Together we are seeking to identify the “wild beasts” we encounter; the temptations we face as we make our journey into the heart of the matter. Identify those challenges that may suck the life out of us and cause us to throw in the towel. Then identify the “angels” who minister to us on the journey. Who is or are the ones who listen to our inner story? Who is it that helps us pick up the pieces and puts that which is broken, back together again? And for whom do we do the same? We know the popular advice. Do not talk about politics and religion. As a result of that “advice” we often are afraid to talk about our faith; and our faith becomes something very private. We need to break free from that “advice” and learn to talk with one another about our faith questions, the stuff of life that really matters. On the Exodus journey the pilgrims spoke about their faith and relationship to God with one another. That is how they made it to the Promised Land. We need to do the same. On another note, you have heard me say “A mistake is not a sin!” Well, I made a mistake in listing our RCIA Catechumens and Candidates. Here is the correct list: Richard Fernandes, Jr, Jamie Fernandes, Brielle Fernandes, Richard Fernandes III, Ava Fernandes, Joyce Jacques, Heather Clabbers, Anne Brisbois and Mikaela Santiago. Fr. Bill