Hello, friends: 

As you know, the last couple of weeks, have been quite busy with different parish activities; the first, the trip to attend the annual LA RE Congress; the second, the annual confirmation retreat, which was held at the Sacramento Methodist Assembly, near Cloudcroft. Both of these events were quite good; we were able to take 21 folks from the parish to the Congress and at the confirmation retreat we had a total of 45 participants. I hope to be able to share some highlights this weekend. 

This weekend we begin Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, and then are invited to participate in the season of Triduum. Triduum consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter—which is seen as just one seamless liturgical event. If you're able, please consider being present for the different liturgies, as we prepare to welcome the elect (those who have been preparing for admission into full communion into our church) at the Easter vigil. 

Blessings, 
Fr. Ray

Hello Newman Community! 

I’m so glad Fr. Ray has allowed me to guest author this week so I can share some very exciting things happening with Campus Ministry this month. Last weekend we took a group of 12 students to the Religious Education Congress in Los Angeles, CA. It was such an incredible witness of the universality of our Church– Catholics from 49 U.S. states and 18 other countries came together to reflect, learn and praise God with over 40,000 other Catholics! For many of the students it was their first opportunity to see this beautifully diverse, joyful experience of our Church and they are returning to Las Cruces with a new vision and renewed energy to share with our community. 

Next week seven students and I will head north to Albuquerque for our Alternative Spring Break service trip. Over the five day trip we will act as conversation partners with refugees learning English, visit with the leaders of the Isleta Pueblo, and serve with people who are homeless at St. Martin’s Hospitality House. My hope is it will be an opportunity for our group to meet people we normally wouldn’t meet, in a spirit of love and, as Pope Francis frequently encourages us, encounter with those on the periphery of society. Please keep us in prayer! 

Mona Chip
Associate Campus Minister 

Hello my Friends: 

This marks a first in what will, hopefully, be a new tradition at St. Albert’s. Instead of Fr. Ray writing every bulletin letter, others, such as the deacon and maybe some others, will contribute their thoughts. This weekend we celebrate the middle of Lent. We all know that, generally, Lent is a time of penance, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on how we need to change our lives to better follow Jesus’ teachings. It’s regarded as a “somber” time of preparation for Jesus’ Passion and ultimately his resurrection, the proof of his divine and salvific mission on earth. 

We call this Sunday “Laetare Sunday”. “Laetare” means joyful in Latin. The term comes from the “Introit” or Entrance Antiphon at the beginning of the Mass, which is taken from the Book of Isaiah: 
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; 
rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her— 
that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; 
that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. (Is. 66:10-11) 

It is time for a brief break in the penance and introspection of Lent to relax a little and to look forward to the coming Easter celebration. You can even eat candy, or whatever else you gave up. You may notice this weekend that there may be some flowers in the sanctuary and more joyful music during the Mass. If Fr. Ray and I could be here, we would be wearing rose-colored vestments — really! We recently received some. Rose is a blend of the purple of Lent and the white of the celebration of Easter. We find joy that our period of penance and serious introspection is soon to end and we can then celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead! 

May God bless you all during this joyful time and help you through your Lenten journey to the celebration of Easter. 

God bless you all, Deacon David