Welcome to St. Mary’s!
Welcome to the online home of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kutztown! Whether you are a long-time Catholic, new to the area, considering the Catholic faith or just passing through…. please join us, as we strive to follow Jesus Christ – the way, the Truth and the Life!
He is calling us all to be His disciples: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” – Luke 9:23-25
Scripture Reflection – March 30, 2025 – Fourth Sunday of Lent
Cycle C – 4:30pm & 11am
Our readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent illustrate the Lord’s desire to seek and save the lost, to reconcile God and each individual person. Chapter 15 from the Gospel of Luke is all about the lost, and the found.
The passage in today’s Gospel concerns the parable of the prodigal son. He was lost by his own rebellion against his father. When he came to his senses, he resolved to return home, where his father forgave him and welcomed him with great joy. His son was dead, but was restored to life again!
When we fall into mortal sin – a sin that is grave, with full knowledge and consent of the will – like the prodigal son, we are spiritually dead. The sanctifying grace in our soul has been squandered. And yet, even when we are away, God continues to work through “actual grace” – tugging at our sleeves to come back, to wake us up. He will not force His mercy upon us, but He never gives up on us.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Lord awaits our return, and desires to shower us with His grace and mercy. How long has it been since your last confession? Heaven rejoices when a lost sinner returns home!
Cycle A – 8:30am – The Second Scrutiny for the Elect
In our readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent, we find powerful contrasts between darkness and light, and the Lord’s desire to shine into our hearts. We hear a story of a man, born blind, in physical darkness, who was healed by Jesus. The Light of the World came to set this man free.
In our day, there are many different kinds of darkness. Sometimes, the sins of others cause wounds, and erect barriers that block out the light of Christ. Sometimes, the distracting lesser lights and noise of the culture tempt us to look away from the Light of Christ, thinking we’ll find something more exciting or fulfilling. Sometimes, it’s our own sins that lead us to turn our backs to His light. We become accustomed to the dark. It’s a hard habit to break.
In Baptism, Christ claimed us as His own. But even when we turn away in the long journey of life, He calls us back and restores His light in us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Saint Paul, in our second reading, speaks directly to us, “You were once in darkness, but now, you are light in the Lord…. live as children of light.”
This week, invite His light into your heart. His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it!
Safe Haven from Pornography
In his March 9 homily, Father John spoke of the dangers of pornography. In that week’s bulletin, there was an insert about this problem, with links to helpful resources. That letter can be accessed by clicking HERE.
Hoagie Sale until March 16!
The Men of St Mary’s are sponsoring the latest Hoagie Sale, with proceeds to support the parish. Orders can be submitted from March 1 through Sunday, March 16. For all the details, click HERE!
Disciple Maker Index Survey
In Spring of 2024, parishes throughout the Diocese of Allentown conducted a survey of parishioners about parish life. A summary of our parish results can be accessed by clicking HERE.
In 2025, we have begun to identify plans and priorities for our parish family, along the lines of the Parish Experience, Faith Formation and Evangelization. For an explanation of our goals and the next phase of our plan, click HERE.