Third Sunday of Lent

March 8, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

Recently I received a note from a teenager I met years ago. He wrote, “Dear Father Muir, you probably do not remember me, but I wanted to thank you for your inspiring and humorous homilies at the parish. They helped me appreciate the beauty of Catholicism, which I have now embraced in a personal way.” That small note moved me more than he probably imagined. I had no idea my words had taken root in him. I was simply sowing seeds — week by week, Mass by Mass. Someone else — his parents, a youth minister, or God Himself — was doing the deeper work. Now this young man is joyfully reaping a harvest of faith.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman whose life had been full of searching and disappointment. By the end of their encounter, she becomes a bold and joyful evangelist. Then Jesus turns to his disciples and says something easily overlooked: “One sows and another reaps” (John 4:37). He is helping them — and us — understand how evangelization works. Often, the one who sows the seeds of faith is not the one who sees the fruit.

This Lent, ask yourself: Are you in a sowing phase or a reaping phase? If you are sowing — raising children, praying for someone, mentoring — be patient. Your work matters. If you are reaping — seeing someone come alive in faith — be grateful. You are standing on sacred ground, tilled and watered by others.

Lenten challenge: Thank someone who once sowed faith into your life. And keep sowing, even when the harvest is unseen.
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

We cannot build a just society if we discard the weakest—whether the child in the womb or the elderly in their frailty—for they are both gifts from God.

THE 61ST ANNUAL NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Mark your calendars! This year’s novena will begin on Monday, March 16, 2026, and continue through Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The Celebrant for the opening night will be Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, JCD. More information to come.

GUEST SPEAKER

On Friday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. we will welcome Notre Dame outstanding 3 x pentathlon NCAA Champion and current Olympic bobsledder Jadin O’Brien as our parish Lenten mission leader. She graciously accepted the invitation through the Catholic Speakers Organization. She is a devout Catholic who has shown perseverance through her health struggles and injuries. She is excited about coming to visit our parish and school. Please help spread the word about this upcoming parish mission; also check out her billboard on Route 22. LETS GO!!!

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

In today’s gospel Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure. Family life is a series of departures. As we mature and grow older we constantly transition from the familiar to the new unknown. Today Jesus assures us we are not alone in these transitions. “I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.”
- Bud Ozar

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Today’s readings on this third Sunday of Lent presents us with the theme of “thirst” and show us that a stewardship way of life can both satisfy our spiritual thirst for Christ and help us to satisfy Christ’s thirst for souls.

For some mysterious reason, God has chosen to include us in His plan for bringing all people to salvation through Him. We live out our part in His plan through a stewardship way of life. It is an indescribable privilege to live this way. Yet, our Lord does not wish us to be concerned about our unworthiness for such a high calling. He demonstrates this throughout the Scriptures by calling the “unworthy.” In today’s passage, He chooses the Samaritan women. She is a woman with a “past” and even a current living situation that is scandalous. But He calls her to conversion, and she responds to His call, becoming a disciple for her whole village.

He is calling to us too, to live as His modern-day disciples. This Lent, let us resolve to respond to His call with passion and commitment. Let us do our part to quench His thirst for the salvation of all.

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Margaret Dodson, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Carol Keagy, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Beth Lloyd, Joan Maier, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Lucille Parker, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Bill stauffer, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church