Our Parish was blessed to have Fr. William M. Watson S.J. to present this year’s Parish Lenten Mission which was titled “From Creation to Calvary: The Astonishing Beauty of God’s Love for Us.” Fr. Bill crafted this beautiful four part presentation and homily series to remind us of our journey from God who created us and the universe back to be united with God, the source of all creation, beauty and truth. Science and culture have evolved throughout history to move the human person from the center of the universe to the unknown and forgotten periphery. This school of thought which is ultimately a product of original sin, has made us forgetful of our true nature as embodied spirits. The series was concluded by presenting Jesus’s journey from the Annunciation and Incarnation to His Death and Resurrection as the footprint of our own journey toward eternity.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
~ John 1:5
Well known author and retreat master, Fr. William M. Watson, S.J., is founder of the Sacred Story Institute. He has served as Director of Retreat Programs at Georgetown University; Vice-President for Missions at Gonzaga University and Provincial Assistant for International Ministries for the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus.
Thank you to all attendees for your support! And special thanks to Yvonne Gill, Director of Adult Formation and to Fr. Bill for this wonderful opportunity to grow closer to Jesus this Lent!