Message from Associate Pastor Fr. Renzo Rosales, S.J.

In this month we begin the season of Lent, a word that comes from the Old English word, Lenten. (related to "lengthen," which refers to the lengthening of days during spring). In the Church in Europe, Lent always fell during the springtime. After several centuries, the word "Lent" became synonymous with this penitential season. Additionally, for the Anglo-Saxon people it was an easier word than the official Latin title Quadragesima, which means forty, describes the period of 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. The season of Lent culminates with the highest point of the liturgical year: the Easter Triduum, when, reliving the events of the passion of Jesus Christ, we will proceed to announce the death and proclaim the resurrection of Our Lord. 

During Lent we will notice some changes in our churches compared to ordinary time. In the Lenten liturgies, instead of green, the church takes up purple- the color of penance – the same that adorns our temples and ornaments during the Advent. At Masses we will not be singing the Gloria until the Easter Vigil when, with joy, we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. Within the liturgy of the word, the passages from the Gospels that will be read will invite us to reflect more carefully on the events surrounding the accusations, prosecution, and crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is hoped that, during this time, in addition to listening more attentively to the Word of God, we will strengthen our prayer and, through different forms of fasting, we keep moving forward in our journey of conversion and preparation for our encounter with the Risen Lord. 

Lent must be a privileged time to take an interior pause during our usual occupations. It must serve to make a deep examination of conscience and to review ours individual and communal attitudes that harm both our neighbors and ourselves. However, this will also be a time to recognize that, just as Jesus conquered death, we are invited to overcome those negativities that hide God's presence in our hearts and actions. 

During Lent our parish will offer different times and spaces for reflection, prayer and invitation to solidarity: Stations of the Cross, retreats, talks and some other activities that will be announced in due course. 



Let us open our ears to hear the voice of the Lord in this season of Lent and let us live in depth each stage of this season so that we restart our journey through life with hope and joy thanks to our believe that our Lord has conquered death.

Our new business manager: Amanda Espinosa

Amanda was born in Ecuador and two years ago began a new stage in her life in the United States. She has a 15-year career in the banking and financial sector. Currently, she is about to obtain her degree in Economics at the Technical University of the North in Ecuador.

Beyond her professional life, Amanda is a very family-oriented person. She shares her day to day life with her husband, her two children, and her pet. In her free time, she enjoys family activities that strengthen the bonds of love and unity.

Amanda shares with us: "I am very happy to be part of this team, where we serve God and the community, especially the Latino community in the Milwaukee area. True integration occurs when we recognize that we are brothers, no matter where we come from. `God's love always guides our lives and takes us exactly where we need to be".



Welcome Amanda!