Opening Prayer:

Almighty and ever-present Father,
your watchful care reaches from end to end
And orders all things in such a power
That even the tensions and the tragedies of sin
Cannot frustrate your loving plans.
Help us to embrace your will,
Give us the strength to follow your call,
So that your truth may live in our hearts
And reflect peace to those who believe in your love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Upcoming Events:

Weekly Holy Hour With the Lord:
Wednesday’s from 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: St. Anne Church
“Again, I say to you, If two of you agree on Earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18:19)
Brought to you by: St. Anne’s Catholic Women

Friday Night Bible Study:
Day: Friday’s | Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Where: Maria Hall at St. Anne Church
Join Steven and John for a bible study series on Friday nights. Soup and bread will be provided.

Catechism Quote for the Week:
Jesus the Lamb of God who Takes Away the Sins of All

God Takes the Initiative of Universal Redeeming Love

CCC 604: “By giving up his own Son for our sins, God manifests that his plan for us is one of benevolent love, prior to any merit on our part: “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.” God “shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.””

CCC 605: “At the end of the parable of the lost sheep Jesus recalled that God’s love excludes no one: “So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” He affirms that he came “to give his life as a ransom for many”; this last term is not restrictive, but contrasts the whole of humanity with the unique person of the redeemer who hands himself over to save us. The Church, following the apostles, teaches that Christ died for all men without exception: “There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer.””

Christ’s Whole Life is an Offering to the Father

CCC 606: “The Son of God, who came down “from heaven, not to do (his) own will, but the will of him who sent (him)”, said on coming into the world, “Lo, I have come to do your will, O God.” “and by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” From the first moment of his Incarnation the Son embraces the Father’s plan of divine salvation in his redemptive mission: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.” The sacrifice of Jesus “for the sins of the whole world”expresses his loving communion with the Father. “The Father loves me, because I lay down my life”, said the Lord, “(for) I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.””

CCC 607: “The desire to embrace his Father’s plan of redeeming love inspired Jesus’ whole life, for his redemptive passion was the very reason for his Incarnation. and so he asked, “and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour.” and again, “Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” From the cross, just before “It is finished”, he said, “I thirst.””

“The Lamb who Takes Away the Sin of the World”

CCC 608: “After agreeing to baptize him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the suffering Servant who silently allows himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel’s redemption at the first Passover. Christ’s whole life expresses his mission: “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Jesus Freely Embraced the Father’s Redeeming Love

CCC 609: “By embracing in his human heart the Father’s love for men, Jesus “loved them to the end”, for “greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” In suffering and death his humanity became the free and perfect instrument of his divine love which desires the salvation of men. Indeed, out of love for his Father and for men, whom the Father wants to save, Jesus freely accepted his Passion and death: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” Hence the sovereign freedom of God’s Son as he went out to his death.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Number 604-609.