Pastoral Associate News

From the Desk of our Pastoral Associate
March  7,  2010

Today is the Third Sunday of Lent:

     For the next three weeks, the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th Sundays of Lent, we will be hearing the readings from Cycle A.  We do this because each of these readings contain Baptismal motifs, images and messages about our Christian life begun at Baptism.    As we move through this season with our sights on Easter when we will renew our Baptismal promises, these readings enrich our understanding of what we will be re-committing to.       

     In the gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent we meet Jesus and the Samaritan woman who engage in a wide-ranging discussion – water, marriage, worship, belief.  In the course of this discussion the woman progressively comes to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is: “a Jew”94:9), possibly “greater than our father Jacob” (4:12), “a prophet” (4:19), possibly “the Christ (=Messiah”, 4:25, 29), “truly the savior of the world”(4:42).  This journey of faith begins with the innocuous request for a drink of water. 

     Like the Samaritan Woman, our journey of faith also begins with water, the waters of our Baptism.  But the water is not water of the earth, which Jesus tells us will always leave us thirsty. Using what has come to be known as his replacement theology, St. John’s gospel, portrays Jesus as the water of life, replacing the Torah, which for centuries quenched the thirst of Judaism.( In both the rabbinical writings and those at Qumran, the Torah (law) is described as water which purifies, slakes thirst and sustains life.)

     Later in John’s gospel Jesus explains what he means by living water: “Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’”

“He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive” (John 7:38-39).  Thus, living water” is the Spirit which is how Jesus himself remains in his followers after his resurrection.

 Living water as a metaphor for the divine presence is attested in the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.  The prophet compares idolatry to trying to draw water from a cracked cistern: just as there is no water in an empty cistern (Jer. 2:13), there is no power in idols because they are not God.  The Lord, however, is as refreshing and reliable as fresh flowing “living water.”  To have living water as an internal spring means that believers will never thirst for God, for the Spirit is in them leading them to “eternal life” (4:14).

     Today, we are reminded that, Jesus offers the thirsty believer the water of eternal life which we bathe in and drink for the first time at Baptism. This water is like a living spring, a fountain within you giving life, giving eternal life. During this third week of Lent we might reflect upon what is blocking the flow of this life giving water in our lives?

Adult Scripture Study: 

Each Monday A.M. at 9:00 in STMS in the Faculty Lounge there is a group that is studying the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday. Enriching and enlightening.  No special knowledge of scripture is needed. All are welcome.

St. Patrick’s Day: 

On Wednesday, March 17, the Feast of St. Patrick, we will host an Irish Supper of Corned Beef and Cabbage followed by a movie featuring “Irish Humor.”  The cost of the supper is $5.00 per person.  Tickets will be on sale at the doors of the church this weekend after all the Masses.

This event will kick off a four part film series sponsored by our Adult Education Committee following up on our theme for this year, Dealing with Stress in Changing Times?  How better to deal with stress than to go out for dinner and laugh with fellow parishioners.  Please join us.  For more information, call Pat Piano at the rectory:  860-232-8594. 

Wedding Planner?  Interest in Mark Twain? 

We have need of your help.  Please call Pat Piano at the rectory, 860-232-8594.

Children’s Envelopes: 

If you would like to have your child participate in the offertory collection each week, there are child appropriate envelopes on the tables at the entrance of the church for their use.  Help yourself.  They are free.

New to the Parish?

Welcome!  Please introduce yourself to our Pastor Fr. Cody or to one of the staff members. You may register at the rectory or on line any time at www.sttimothywesthartford.com

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: 

Are you interested in knowing more about the Catholic Church?  If the answer is yes we have a process in place that is for sharing the tradition that we call Catholic.  Call Pat Piano at the rectory for more information, 860-232-8594. 

Parish members with special needs: 

Are you or someone you know in need of special services during our worship?  Are you unable to go to communion in the procession?  Are you wheat intolerant and therefore unable to take the host?  Are you deaf?  In a wheel chair?  Please know we are here to accommodate you.  Just let us know your need and we are sure we can be of help.

Stop by the sacristy on the weekend or call Pat Piano at the rectory, 232-8594, for more information.