This past weekend, I had the privilege, with several members of staff, of attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, a gathering that brings together thousands of people from across the country, and the world, to deepen their faith and be inspired for ministry. This year’s theme centered on compassion, a fitting reflection as we prepare to enter the season of Lent. Throughout the weekend, powerful voices reminded us that compassion is more than a feeling—it is a way of being present to others, creating spaces of belonging, and embodying the love of Christ in our daily lives.

 

Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries, spoke with his characteristic warmth and humor about the transformative power of compassion. He reminded us that true compassion isn’t about fixing or changing people but about standing with them, offering presence rather than solutions. He challenged us as parish communities to be places where all feel truly seen, known, and welcomed, especially those who feel like they don’t belong.

 

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, echoed this call in his reflection on kindness. He spoke of how kindness is not weakness but a deep spiritual discipline—one that demands patience, vulnerability, and the willingness to see Christ in each person we encounter. In a world so often marked by division and hurry, he invited us to reclaim the slow and steady work of love. It is something that we are called to live out in our daily lives not just on Sundays.

 

Anne Kertz Kernion, in her presentation on kindness and empathy, drew from her book Spiritual Practices for the Brain: Caring for Mind, Body, and Soul to show how empathy = kindness = survival. Science confirms what our faith has always taught: that acts of kindness not only strengthen relationships but are vital to our well-being as individuals and as a community. We not only survived the savanna brutal lifestyle as early human beings, but we thrived and evolved into empathetic beings that care for each other in communities. In our most evolved state, we are kind and empathetic. So, when we feel tempted to be selfish and vindictive over frustrations and hurts, then we are called to resist returning to our less-evolved state of human beings. We are called by Christ to be generous and loving.

 

She shared how even small acts—like offering a genuine smile, practicing active listening, or reaching out to someone who is struggling—have the power to rewire our brains for greater connection and joy. The more we practice kindness, the more it becomes our default response, allowing us to live as true disciples of Christ.

 

This Sunday’s readings call us to integrity and self-awareness as disciples of Christ. In the Gospel from Luke 6:39-45, Jesus uses vivid images—a blind person leading another, a splinter in someone else’s eye while ignoring the wooden beam in one’s own—to challenge us to look first within ourselves before we seek to correct others. True discipleship begins with humility, recognizing our own faults before pointing out the failures of others. Likewise, in the first reading from Sirach (27:4-7), we hear that our words reveal what is in our hearts, just as a tree is known by its fruit. St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15:54-58) reminds us of our ultimate hope: that in Christ, death is swallowed up in victory, and we are called to remain steadfast in the work of the Lord. These readings invite us to consider: What is the fruit of our lives? Do our words and actions reflect God’s love and compassion?

 

As we begin our Lenten journey this Wednesday, these messages of compassion, kindness, and empathy offer a challenge for us all. Lent is not simply about giving things up—it is about transformation. How can we cultivate these habits of kindness and presence in our daily lives? How can we make space for true encounters with those around us? As we receive ashes this week, let them be more than a ritual—let them be a reminder of our call to live as Christ did: with open hearts, willing to walk alongside others in love.

 

We invite you to join us for Ash Wednesday Masses at 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, and 7:00 PM. All are welcome, and we look forward to beginning this holy season together. Our theme is “Living the Hope of the Cross”, and we will have small crosses for you to take with you for your Lenten Journey. During this Jubilee Year, we are called to be people of hope—walking together in faith and love, no matter what we go through in life. My hope is that this Lent will be a transformative journey for you – inspiring and equipping you to walk more closely with Jesus Christ, embracing a life of faith, courage, and hope!

 

Our Lenten Retreat is on March 15th, 16th & 17th with author, Julianne Stanz and musician, Meredith Augustin. Please join us for wine & cheese receptions and the sessions. Julianne will draw from her Irish heritage and pastoral wisdom, to guide us through four essential practices of H.O.P.E.—Healing, Openness, Prayer, and the Eucharist—offering spiritual tools for personal renewal and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Through engaging storytelling, reflective exercises, music and communal prayer, this retreat will help us:

  • Find Healing by embracing God’s mercy and learning to accompany others in love.
  • Cultivate Openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
  • Deepen Prayer as a source of strength and communion with God.
  • Encounter Christ in the Eucharist, the heart of Christian life and mission.
  • This parish mission is for anyone seeking to grow in faith, find strength in times of struggle, and become a beacon of hope for others.

 

Please RSVP for the retreat receptions  and if you want to attend the St. Patrick’s Day dinner on Monday night, please purchase your tickets soon as this event sells out.
Reception RSVP HERE
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner tickets HERE

 

May this Lent be a time of renewal, reflection, and, most of all, compassion.

God bless,

Fr. Brendan