When Father Jason Keas, pastor of Divine Redeemer Parish, and Capuchin Father Alex Diaz, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, first approached me with a vision of uniting the two parishes into a diocesan shrine, I was touched by the prayerful discernment of these holy men, as well as their humility and charity in being mindful of the needs of each parish as well as the diocese.

We are once again journeying together in the season of Lent.  The liturgy of Ash Wednesday invited us to return to the Lord with all our hearts.  Now, on the First Sunday of Lent, we go with our Lord out into the desert.  

In just a very short time, we will be beginning the season of Lent. Often, in the busyness of our lives, this holy season of Lent can creep up on us. All of a sudden it is Ash Wednesday, and we have done little to nothing to prepare for this penitential season.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42) My dear brothers and sisters in Christ: