The first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 26, 2012. My first time at the kids' mass at Blessed Sacrament in a long time. Instead of sitting in the bleachers (hard on my spinal stenosis), we sit on chairs now set up on the gym floor. Ahhh, lumbar thanks. Fr. Percy called all the children up on the riser holding the altar for the cons
ecration. "Look here, this 
is Jesus, who loves you," he reminded them and us adults, as he held up the bread, and then the wine. "Shhhh," to a few chatting. The host family was the Robertis, who brought up the gifts of bread and wine at the offertory, representing all of us and our gifts and issues that we offer to God. After mass, I chatted with Eli, now 21 and once my confirmation student, and Maryann, his mom. "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15). Fr. Percy's homily -- seeking joy in lent.
ecration. "Look here, this 
is Jesus, who loves you," he reminded them and us adults, as he held up the bread, and then the wine. "Shhhh," to a few chatting. The host family was the Robertis, who brought up the gifts of bread and wine at the offertory, representing all of us and our gifts and issues that we offer to God. After mass, I chatted with Eli, now 21 and once my confirmation student, and Maryann, his mom. "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15). Fr. Percy's homily -- seeking joy in lent.Photos: Fr. Percy D'Silva at the August 2011 baptism of Francesca Zuylen, here held by her dad, Frank. The Robertis at the June 2011 confirmation of Dominic, front. Eli Lewis after lectoring at the October 9, 2011 Mass, with Francesca Pellegrino, co-founder of the disABILITIES ministry at Blessed Sacrament.
