Notre Dame Parish

Cresco, Iowa

St. Agnes Oratory, Plymouth Rock and

St. Bridget Oratory, Bluffton     

                                                      Rev. Richard J. Ament, Pastor

                          Notre Dame Church:  223 2nd Ave. E.                                

Parish Office:  116 East Third Street

Phone:  563 547-3565       

Fax:  563 547-3835 

Wendy Schatz, Principal 563 547-4513     

Pamela Daley, CRE 563 547-3565

Parish Office Staff: 

Peg Seifried, Connie Frana

Parish Website: 

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~ndparish            

School Website: 

www.aea1.k12.ia.us/notredame

Celebration of Sacraments

Baptism 

Next scheduled date for Baptism is April 3 (Easter Vigil). Baptism Class is required.  Next class is scheduled for May 12, 2010, 7:00 p.m., Joseph Room.  Please contact the parish office to register for the Baptism class, to schedule a Baptism or for more information.

Reconciliation  Reconciliation is offered on Saturday from 3:10 - 3:40 p.m. or by appointment.  Contact the parish office for an appointment.

Marriage  

Contact the parish office at least six months before intended wedding date.

March 21, 2010

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

              An amazing part of the story of “the woman caught in adultery” is not that Jesus forgave her sin—without her even asking him to do so.  Rather, it is that those who convicted her of sin convicted themselves of sin by walking away—from the very One who could have forgiven them.  They hardened themselves against Jesus.  An offer of a lifetime was extended to them, but “one by one they drifted away.”  There are hardly any sadder words in all of scripture.

It is also amazing that forgiveness is extended to the woman without her asking for it—as noted above.  Suddenly she finds herself before Jesus, alone.  She is forgiven and sent on her way.  It is speculation, true, but had the stone throwers dropped their stones and stuck around they very well may have heard the same words that were spoken to the women.

Again and again during this season of Lent we hear of this stunning power of God in Jesus to forgive the sinner.  It is a power used with great abandon.  It would be sad if we ourselves did not avail ourselves of this forgiving power.  Or walked away from it because of fear or indifference or self-righteousness.

Next week’s Readings: 

Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

Next week’s Readings: 

2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15