From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are all close to my heart
Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.

When we think of Lent…

When we think of Lent, for any Catholic, there are three things that should come to our mind. These three main things are prayer, fasting, and giving.

Firstly, prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.

Secondly, fasting or giving up something is a very common practice during Lent. The idea is that giving up something that’s a regular part of life, like eating a dessert, can be a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. That time can also be replaced with more time connecting to God.

Finally, giving money or doing something good for others is a way to respond to God’s grace, generosity, and love. For example, some people spend time volunteering or donating money, they would normally use to buy something, like their morning coffee.

Sacrifice & Resurrection

Jesus sacrificed Himself on Good Friday to bear the punishment as the ransom for all our evils as the atonement and offered us forgiveness. He was raised from the dead on Easter Sunday to bestow upon us eternal life.

Hence, spending time during Lent praying, fasting, and giving can make Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter even more meaningful.

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It commemorates the night before Jesus died when He shared the Passover with His closest friends and followers. That day he instituted the Eucharist as His memorial and the priesthood to celebrate that Passover meal every day all over the world and he has given the love command.

I Heard Your Comments About the ABC Donor List

Last week I receive mixed comments when I published the names of the donors. I do understand the sentiments involved in that. Thank you – God bless you all.

ABCD Update

Thank you for your continued support in regard to ABCD. We reached $70,000.00 but we are still short $55,000. I am still waiting for your generous heart.

If all the families donate or pledge $125.00 which is $12.50 over ten months, it will pay off the amount due for 2022 and we will be able to reach our 2023 target as well. Thank you to of those who donated toward this task and may I request others to prayerfully consider this.

Please continue to pledge so we are able to accomplish our goal of $124,711.

Stations of the Cross

Understanding our situations and needs, we will have Stations of the Cross at 4:00 p.m. every Friday.

Please continue to pray for me. I continue to hold you in my prayers.

God bless you all.

With lots of love and blessing.

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service.

—Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 13, 2023

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 13, 2023

Holy Days of Obligation | The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:
Family needs or important social services can legitimately excuse the obligation of Sunday rest (specified in the Fourth Commandment). The faithful should see that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health {CCC 2185}.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 30 2023

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 30 2023

August 4th we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney who is the patron saint of priests – a French priest, a renowned confessor with supernatural powers. Baptiste-Marie Vianney, also called Cure d’Ars, (born May 8, 1786, Dardillly, France—died August 4, 1859, Ars, canonized May 31, 1925, feast day August 4 (formerly August 9), a French priest who was renowned as a confessor and for his supernatural powers.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 23 2023

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 23 2023

Feast of Joachim and Anne | the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. On July 26 the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple’s faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.

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