This week I conclude a brief look at God?s plan for those whom He calls to live the vocation to marriage and family life. The Sacrament of Matrimony ?takes up the human reality of conjugal love in all its implications? ( Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 220) and ?gives to Christian couples and parents a power and a commitment to live their vocation as lay people and therefore to ?seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God?? (John Paul II, The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World, 47). ?Intimately united to the Church by virtue of the sacrament that makes it a ? domestic Church? or a ? little Church?, the Christian family is called therefore ?to be a sign of unity for the world and in this way to exercise its prophetic role by bearing witness to the Kingdom and peace of Christ, towards which the whole world is journeying?? ( Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 220).

The love of husband and wife flowing from the charity of Jesus Christ offered through the Sacrament of Matrimony ?makes Christian spouses witnesses to a new social consciousness inspired by the Gospel and the Paschal Mystery. The natural dimension of their love is constantly purified, strengthened and elevated by sacramental grace. In this manner, besides offering each other mutual help on the path to holiness, Christian spouses become a sign and an instrument of Christ?s love in the world. By their very lives they are called to bear witness to and proclaim the religious meaning of marriage? ( Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 220). What a wondrous and beautiful vocation! May God strengthen marriages and family life in our parishes!

This fifth and final Sunday of Lent means that we are nearing the celebration of our Lord?s saving Death and Resurrection, the baptism of elect Ben Blegen, and the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter. If you find yourself having slackened on the spiritual resolutions you made at the beginning of this holy season, now is the time to start afresh! Consider assisting at Mass in addition to the Lord?s Day. Another option is spending some time before our Eucharistic Lord at Spring Valley (5:00 PM Thursday through 8:00 PM Friday) and Boyceville (Monday 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). The opportunity to pray Morning Prayer (Lauds) within the context of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is offered following the 8:00 AM Mass Thursdays (Spring Valley). Yet another option for your Lenten devotion is the Stations of the Cross prayed within the context of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at Spring Valley (Tuesday after 6:30 PM Mass) and Elmwood (Friday) at 7:30 PM.

The words of Saint John Paul II, I make my own: ? To those who have been far away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation and forgiving love I make this appeal: come back to this source of grace; do not be afraid! Christ Himself is waiting for you. He will heal you, and you will be at peace with God!? The ordinary Confession schedule in our parishes is Saturdays 7:00-7:45 PM at Elmwood and Sundays 7:45-8:15 AM at Boyceville and Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 PM at Spring Valley. Before Easter there are additional opportunities to be reconciled with the Lord and His Church: Tuesday, April 8, at Spring Valley 7:30-9:00 PM; Wednesday, April 9, at Elmwood 6:00-7:30 PM; and Monday, April 14, at Boyceville 6:00-7:30 PM.

The high point of the entire Liturgical Year is our celebration of the Sacred Paschal Triduum of the Lord ? Crucified, Buried, and Risen ? which culminates on Easter Sunday. On Easter ? as on each Sunday ? Holy Mother Church makes present this great event by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. Indeed, from Easter derive all other celebrations of the Liturgical Year. With next weekend?s celebration of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord we enter into Holy Week. Our participation in the sacred rites of Holy Week is a privileged manner in which we live more deeply the mystery of our rebirth in Christ through our Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of Christ (see Romans 6:3-9). So plan now for your participation in the solemn liturgies of these days! In order prepare yourself for the celebrations of these holiest of days, take the time to read the attachment to the bulletin that describes the rites of Holy Week.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Saint Luke, pray for us! Father Kevin C. Louis, STL