March 22, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Along with this letter, I’m pleased to share with everyone along with this letter a picture [see bulletin] of myself and Fernando Casillas (our parish’s seminarian studying in Mexico City) at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, during my official visit to the seminary this past week. He’s doing very well in his studies. With seven years to go until his priestly ordination, please keep him in your prayers! As we come to the final stretch of Lent, I wanted to say a few words about some upcoming opportunities within our parish to enter more deeply into the spirit of this season of the Lord’s Passion. We’re past the halfway mark of Easter—but let’s make sure we stay just as enthusiastic as we were back at Ash Wednesday! First, if you haven’t yet had a chance to get to Confession, there are many opportunities for reconciliation between now and Easter. I would point out in particular our Parish Penance Service on Thursday, 26 March, at 6pm. If that doesn’t work, there is also our usual Saturday afternoon at 4pm, plus some additional times during Holy Week (particularly on Good Friday). Second, I would invite everyone to be a part of our Spring Cleaning Day, on Saturday, March 28, from 8am to noon. This idea is to give our church and grounds a deep cleaning just before Holy Week and Easter. I think it’s a great way to reach out a hand in welcome to the many visitors we will have over the coming weeks. Finally, there is a lot going on at St. Thomas during Holy Week! Be sure to give the schedule (included with this bulletin and posted on our website) a good look-over. These are truly some of the best days of the church year, and I would invite everyone to join us for at least one of the special liturgies. As always, in our journey along the way of the Cross towards the day of Resurrection, we lift up our hearts to seek God’s blessing. Please join me in offering a special prayer through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and our patron St. Thomas for God’s many blessings upon our parish and our families. God bless,

Father Jantz