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The Fifth Sunday of Lent March 17, 201

Neither Do I Condemn YouAfter listening to last Sundays parable of the Prodigal Son, we see Jesus today putting the truth of th

story into action, defending the woman caught in adultery from her accusers. What power, what liberatio

are captured in those five simple words: Neither do I condemn you! Jesus is perfectly clear: God doe

not desire to accuse, judge, or condemn us, to enclose us within our sin. God desires to forgive us: to se

us free from sin and its consequences. What is it that makes us so insistent on the letter of the law

especially when it comes to others? Why are we so quick to condemn, so reluctant to give people

second chance? Where did we get the idea that forgiveness is weak, and condemnation strong?

The Gospels suggest that while Jesus could be very tough on sin especially the sins of pride, sel

righteousness, injustice, hypocrisy, and lack of compassion Jesus was invariably compassionate toward

sinners. Today, Jesus challenges both the accused and the accusers to look more deeply into their ow

hearts. He challenges the woman to not take the gift of Gods forgiveness for granted, but to turn awa

from sin: to be faithful to God, to her husband, to her conscience. At the same time, Jesus challenges he

accusers to consider their own failures and sins, their own betrayals of the covenant. For they look at th

woman, and see a sinner and moreover, a convenient pawn to be used in their attempt to bring dow

Jesus. Jesus looks upon this woman and sees a daughter of God: one who has sinned, yes, but one wh

is still loved and held in Gods embrace.

As we prepare to enter into Holy Week, as we prepare to meet the Lord in the sacrament of Reconciliatio

this Tuesday evening, maybe we could ponder the many ways in which God wants to set us free. Go

invites us to trust in His mercy, in his power to heal and transform us. May the words of Paul become o

own: I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord

Therefore, I can forget what lies behind and strain forward toward the goal: the prize of the heavenly call o

God in Christ Jesus. May we too put the past behind us and move confidently into the future, towards ou

goal: union with Christ, asking to see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him mor

nearly, day by day.

We also celebrate two great saints this week Patrick, patron of Ireland on Sunday, and Joseph, husban

of Mary and patron of the universal Church (on Tuesday). May their example and prayers guide us an

inspire us as we respond to the call to holiness! We also pray that the new Pope elected by the College

Cardinals this week may respond with generosity to his call and lead us with the heart of a Good Shepher

Amen!

Come Celebrate with usWhat better way to experience the loving mercy of the Father than to return to his outstretched arms

the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Please join the West End zone parishes as we celebrate this sign of God

healing forgiveness: here atSt. Monicas onTuesday, March 19th at 8:00 PM (following Mass at 7:30 PM

and atSt. John Brbeuf Parish in LaSalle on Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30 PM

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Mass Intentions: March 17-24, 2013

March 16, 2013 Saturday, LentenWeekday

4:00 Vincent Tedeschi Hie wife & FamilyMarch 17, 2013 The Fifth Sunday of Lent

8:30 Colombo & Emma

Salvati

The Salvati Family

11:00 In Loving Memory

Fioravante Rotiroti, Isa Mazzella, Antonio GammadMarch 18, 2013 Monday, St. Cyril of

Jerusalem8:00 Ermando Giuseppe Nudo His Wife Elvira Nudo

March 19, 2013 Tuesday, St. Joseph8:00 Julian, Theresa & Kevin

RooneyThe Rooney Family

7:30PM

The Intentions of all Parishioners

March 20, 2013 Wednesday, LentenWeekday8:00 Concetta Caucci Olga Santini Matta

March 21, 2013 Thursday, LentenWeekday

8:00 Nilda Rivera Yolanda NicolasMarch 22, 2013 Friday, Lenten Weekday

8:00 Noel Dulay Martin MartinezMarch 23, 2013 Saturday, Lenten

Weekday4:00 In Loving Memory

Leonard & Terry Winslade, Dorothy Moore, MikeKilbertus, The Deceased Members of the CharlesMcDonald Family, Vincenzo Saluzzi, Carmela &Michele Iapalucci, Lucille Wong, Mickey LaughlinMarch 24, 2013 Palm/Passion Sunday

8:30 Luigi & Alba Paliotti The Paliotti Family11:00 In Loving Memory

Isa Mazzella, Antonio Cannavina

Your GenerosityThank you for your on-going support of our parish

Last Sundays collection was $2,698.65

Development & Peace Share Lent

Campaign,

Human Dignity

Today is Solidarity Sunday and the finweek of D & P Share Lent Campaign. Lit not be the end of our awareness ancommitment to promote Human DignitLet us keep all those who suffdegradation in our prayers. Let us alwaytake action to promote Human Digniwhen called upon. D&P wishes to thaneveryone for their participation in thyear`s campaign.

Good Friday

Way of the CrossAs we prepare to celebrate the risen Lorwe hope all of you are in good health body and soul. As part of our preparatioSt. Monicas will be organizingThe Way othe Cross, Friday March 29, 2013 a7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing yoat this special "Way of the Cross" servic

on Good Friday to prepare for Easter.

"Never Letting Go"A Benefit concert featuring JoAnn

Mitchell along with eight grea

Montreal musicians, Sunday April 14

2013 at 4:00pm in St. Monica

Parish Hall. Tickets are $10.00 each

Holy Week Schedule:March 28th Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lords Supper 8:00 PMMarch 29th Good Friday: The passion of Our Lord 3:00 PM

The Way of the Cross 7:00 PMMarch 30th Easter Vigil: Saturday 8:00 PMMarch 31st Easter Sunday 8:30 AM

11:00 AM