Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026

       The word of God today is filled with urgency and deep love. In our first reading, the Prophet Joel gives us a beautiful invitation from God: "Even now, return to me with your whole heart." Notice that God does not say, "Return to me when you are perfect" or "Return to me when you have figured everything out." He says, "Even now." No matter where you have been or what you have done, the door to the Father’s house is wide open.

       The ashes we wear are made from the burnt palms of last year’s Passion Sunday. They remind us that the things of this world are passing away. When the priest says, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," it is not meant to be scary. It is a reality check. It reminds us that our life is a gift from God, and one day, we will return to Him.

       This realization should lead us to what St. Paul talks about in the second reading: Reconciliation. Paul pleads with us, "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." This is the goal of Lent—to fix our relationship with the Creator who loves us.

      In the Gospel, Jesus mentions three specific practices: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Prayer: This is our conversation with God. This Lent, try to find a quiet "inner room" as Jesus suggests. Spend five minutes more each day just listening to Him. Fasting: We fast not to punish ourselves, but to make room. When we feel the hunger of the stomach, it reminds us of the hunger of the soul. It helps us realize that "man does not live by bread alone." Almsgiving: This is love in action. It is looking at our neighbor and seeing Christ. When we give, we break the power of greed and selfishness in our lives.

      Jesus gives us one very important warning: Do not do these things to be seen by others. If we pray or fast just to look "holy" to our friends, we have already received our reward. God looks at the heart. Lent is not a performance; it is a transformation. It is not about looking somber or miserable; it is about internal change.

       As we move forward to receive these ashes, let us ask for the grace of a "broken and contrite heart." Let this Lent be a time where we stop running away and start walking toward the light of Christ.

       The journey to Easter starts today. It is a journey from dust to glory, from sin to forgiveness, and from death to life.

Welcome Pastor Chinna

From the Pastor's desk, July 6th, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We thank God for the remarkable journey of Rev. Father Samuel Martin, born and raised in our parish, now appointed as Vicar General and the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of La Crosse. This appointment is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and faithfulness to God’s call. We thank God for his 26 years of priestly service, marked by a deep commitment to prayer and a passion for bringing many to Christ. His priesthood is a shining example of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our     community. His life and ministry embody this truth. His appointments as Vicar General and Vicar for Clergy are significant responsibilities, and we pray that God will continue to guide and strengthen him as he serves the priests and people of our diocese.

    We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Fr. Samuel Martin’s mother, our beloved sacristan, who has faithfully serving our church for many years. Her dedication to keeping our church in order and her role in nurturing Fr. Samuel Martin’s vocation is a testament to her love for God and her family. We thank her for her selflessness and her commitment to serving God’s people. To his siblings, we thank them for their faith and   conviction, and we pray that God will continue to bless and guide them.

    As Fr. Samuel Martin begins his new roles, we pray that God will grant him wisdom, guidance, and strength. We pray that he will be a source of encouragement and support to the priests of our diocese, and that he will help to build unity and harmony among the clergy. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you what you need so that you may be of one mind.”-Romans 15:5. May his ministry be marked by joy, peace, and a   deepening commitment to God’s will.

    As we celebrate Fr. Samuel Martin’s vocation and appointments, we are reminded of the importance of praying for our children and vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray that God will give them the desire to do His will and the strength to follow Him wholeheartedly. “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11. May God bless our children, our priests, and our parish community, and may we continue to be a source of hope and light to those around us.