Pastor’s Message – Church of Saint Benedict

March 6, 2026

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Collect for the Mass on the Third Sunday of Lent

Brothers and Sisters,

As we enter the heart of the Lenten Season, over the next three Sundays we begin a series of readings at Mass from the Gospel of John. We can see each one as prepping us for Holy Week and Easter.

For this coming Third Sunday of Lent, we will hear the Samaritan Women at the Well encountering Jesus (John 4:5-12). On the Fourth Sunday it will be Jesus curing the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41). We will hear the Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45) on the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

Each Gospel passage is revealing who Jesus is and what encountering Him means. To the Samaritan woman Jesus offers Himself as the Living Water. By healing the man born blind Jesus gives Himself as the Light of the World. In the raising of Lazarus from the dead Jesus reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the Life.

On each of these Sundays of Lent at the Noon Mass there will be what is referred to as the Scrutiny Rites for the Elect, those adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The word “scrutiny” in this context means to “see clearly”.

Each of the Scrutiny Rites focuses on the reality of our fragile human nature, the effects of sin in our lives, and the healing and new life that comes from encountering Jesus. As the Son of God made flesh for our salvation, He is the Living Water. He is the Light of the World. He is the Resurrection and the Life.

Whether or not we participate in the Scrutiny Rites over the next three Sundays, the Gospel readings alone give us plenty to reflect upon. Keep in mind that part of our celebration on Easter Sunday will be the renewal of our own promises of Baptism, to reject Satan and embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Lenten observances are to help us to see clearly our need for healing and new life found only in Jesus.

Mass during Lent & Stations of the Cross

Our parish practices on the Fridays of Lent include the devotion of the Stations of the Cross in the church at 6:00pm, followed by the meatless meal in McGuire Hall. All are welcome.

During Lent we have an additional daily Mass on Thursdays at 6:30am. The rest of our daily Mass schedule remains the same.

A parish practice at Sunday Mass during Lent is that many of the responses are sung in Latin. There are laminated cards in the pews to assist you.

First Friday & First Saturday

As part of our monthly First Friday & First Saturday devotion, Mass on Friday will be at 6:30am and 8:30am. There is continual adoration in the St. Scholastica Chapel from 9am on Friday through 1:00pm on Saturday.

First Saturday Mass will be at 8:30am, followed by a Rosary in the church.

Sacraments of Healing

On Tuesday, March 10, there will be multiple priests available in the church to hear individual confessions from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of the Reconciliation.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be offered after all Masses on the weekend of March 14 & 15. The elderly, the chronically ill and those preparing for medical procedures, regardless of age, are encouraged to receive this sacrament.

Reboot! With Chris Stefanick

Catholic lay evangelist and author Chris Stefanick will be speaking at St. Pius X Parish in Tulsa on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm. Tickets are required for entrance. To register online visit: https://buytickets.at/reallifecatholic/1765334. For more information, watch this video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NEMV-s_TSa_pqOR-CAwKkR1CjHju0Jr0/view?usp=drive_link

Second Collection

There will be a second collection at all Masses this weekend, March 7 & 8, to support the Saint Francis de Sales Parish in Idabel (Southeastern Oklahoma). This small parish has a vibrant faith community of English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Kiribati speaking parishioners. God bless your generosity.

Our Parish

Please pray for the youth of the parish who are on retreat this weekend.

Please remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night to be on time for Mass on Sunday.

The Knights of Columbus will be serving a Pancake Breakfast this Sunday in McGuire Hall after the 9:00am Mass. All are welcome.

Congratulations to the children of our parish who this week made their confessions.

There will be Exposition and Benediction at the conclusion of all Masses this weekend.

God bless and keep you safe.

Fr. Bryan