5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

02-08-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

MASS IN SIGNED LANGUAGE IN OUR PARISH: Our Diocese of Metuchen has a vibrant ministry for the deaf and hearing-impaired communities. I was asked if I would be open to hosting an interpreter at our 10:00 am Mass on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. I agreed and so the first signed language or interpreted Mass in our parish begins today.

The next one will be on the 4th Sunday of this month on February 22nd. That Sunday, we will have Msgr. Joe Curry, the Diocesan Coordinator of this ministry, preside at the 10 AM Mass.

Interpreted Masses are offered each week in our Diocese and are advertised on the Diocesan Facebook page: Diocese of Metuchen, NJ- ASL Interpreted Masses. You can access it at this link and spread this good news: facebook.com/ groups/5830375140308941/.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR LENT THIS YEAR?
Yes, in just about 10 days we will enter Lent with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time for listening to God in a very special way and renew our spirit. Lent is a time for practicing spiritual discipline. We Catholics traditionally “give up” comforts, vices, or habitual pleasures for 40 days to foster self-discipline, reflection, and spiritual growth. Many of us give up chocolate, alcohol, social media, meat (specifically on Fridays), sugar, caffeine, coffee, or TV. But this year, I am inviting you to do something positive: to know more about the Bible by joining our LIVE LENT! Small groups.

WHY JOIN A SMALL GROUP?
The first century Christianity spread in and through small groups called ‘house churches.’ The same holds true today. The communal worship on Sunday is important. But there is something powerfully unique about an intimate gathering that forces us to think differently than when we are in the bigger space of our Church for worship. Small groups, in fact, are where much of the Bible and theology taught in our pulpits begins to be fleshed out in conversation and action. That has been the experience of tens of thousands of parishioners across America. Let us too experience it.

You heard me explaining this plan last Sunday at all the Masses. Today, I am inviting you to sign up after prayerful consideration. You can join a group that meets on a day and time of your convenience. The groups choose to meet in someone’s home or in our Parish Center. You will benefit so much from this method of sharing God’s Word in small groups. You will find it very fruitful and spiritually enriching. That in turn will make our parish come all the more alive! Do sign up today, please! Trust me, it will transform your personal life and the life of our parish family.

Your brother in Christ.