I would imagine that most of us, if asked about the last moments before our death, would say we hope for a peace-filled passing into the hands of God through His angels or saints.  We pray they would lead us through any purging that is necessary before we come into God's presence and see Him face-to-face.  While it may be presumptous to say this, I am confident that Saint Padre Pio was the one who came to take 96-year-old Ruby Krimm, formerly of Fairfield Bay, on her journey to the Lord's presence and peace.  Ruby was the wife (of over 60 years) to Joe who met Padre Pio as a young American soldier during World War II.  Padre Pio told Joe that he would live a long life, be in a happy marriage for many years, and would cooperate with God and his wife to bring a son and daughter into the world.  All of that came true and I was blessed to minister to Joe before and after he died in 2007.  Immediately after Joe died (at 2:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday morning), Ruby called me and I went over to their house and found her very much composed and at peace.  We prayed the prayers for one who had just died, and then Ruby handed me a rosary and invited me to smell it.  Not only could I smell the scent of roses as I got close to the rosary, I continued to smell the roses throughout the room where Joe had died.  It was the scent of Padre Pio and it told Ruby that he was there to take Joe (as one of his spiritual children) home to heaven.

While I wish I could have been present when Ruby died in Texas at her son's home, to pray for her and to smell the roses again, I am confident that she died a peace-filled death and was ready for Saint Padre Pio to take her on a a final journey to her (and our) true and lasting home.  Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!

Throughout the month of February, I encouraged those who came to Mass to give generously (or at least give something) to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) which benefits so many people through ministries and activities that happen in the name of Jesus in the Diocese of Little Rock (which encompasses all of Arkansas).  While I could have shared with you why I give to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal each year, I'm sure it would have been a blessing to hear from some of the roughly 290 families of our parish who gave to the Catholic Sharing Appeal last year(s).  The public witness of fellow parishioners can be powerful and inspirational.  In that spirit, I would like to relinquish the rest of this pastor's column to Renee Stenpreis who is the chairman of our Liturgy Committee who was inspired through the "Walking With Purpose" women's study to share her thoughts about the subject of proper etiquette when it comes to the end of Mass.  Please read and reflect on her words and pray that we all appreciate and participate in the Mass from the start to the finish (which is the Final Blessing and Dismissal).

I would like to present a challenge for our congregation for the season of Lent.  For many of you, this is a "given;" for others, you may need to think about it, but I present it to you with excitement and awe.

When we attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, it is the greatest event of our week or or our day!  Nothing will (or can) be better.  This challenge is for all parishioners to remain at Mass until after the final blessing or sending-forth hymn.  We wouldn't leave the best play or movie before the end, why do we leave Mass before we are sent forth with God's blessing?  Let's try as a congregation, during Lent, to "stay to the end" in body and in spirit.  Graces will abound.  Jesus loves us and wants us to stay for His blessing.

My challenge, as I am completing the 22-week "Walking With Purpose," has had me prayerfully pondering how I can make a difference in our congregation, and to those around me.  This alertness to leaving Mass early continues to weigh heavily in my thoughts.  I am passing it on to you.  Let's "make a difference" for the rest of our lives.

God bless each of you in a very special way!

The Lenten Season is first and foremost for the Catechumens/Elect who are entering the final stage of their journey to full initiation into the Church at the Easter Vigil.  It is also for ALL OF US to grow and advance in the Lord and His ways, and to be prepared to fully appreciate and participate in the JOY of Easter and the Easter Season.

Since many of us think firstly of "giving something up" for Lent (which is one way to heed the call of Lent to prayer, FASTING, and almsgiving), I would offer a broader notion of "giving something up" that, if followed, can bring in the other two aspects of this season of "growth" in our lives.  While fasting is usually thought of as giving up a certain food or amount of food that is eaten, I would encourage "giving up" or at least decreasing some activities or habits and replacing them with activities and developing new habits that we will hopefully carry on long after Lent (and even Easter) are over.  Anything that we give up or reduce that is "of this world" and replace it with "something of God," will be a blessing to us and to others that we serve.

I encourage EVERYONE to take and use a Rice Bowl throughout Lent to help feed the hungry and hurting throughout the world through CRS (Catholic Relief Services).  Backing off from time spent watching television or other social media opportunities can be replaced with private prayer time at home (or at our Adoration Chapel) or public prayer (i.e., Daily Mass, Stations of the Cross) and religious activities like our discussion sessions based on the book, "The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity," and/or our Wednesday evening Soup/Salad and parts of Bishop Robert Barron's series on "The Mass."  (Please see the bulletin for full information on the listed activites.)

The list of possibilities of growing in the Lord and becoming more like the Lord in thought, word and deed, are endless.  The important thing is to choose less of the things of this world and more of the things of heaven -- and make this the BEST LENT EVER and a fitting preparation for the Easter Triduum and Easter Season.