Dear Parishioners:
In Her wisdom Holy Mother the Church each year gives us the Holy Season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday this week we “begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.”
Over the last two years, Lent has been observed during the pandemic. During this time of the pandemic, we were vigilant in fighting the virus with social distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing, and other health and safety precautions. This year we begin a Lent with the virus subsided and masks mandates ended. And so we begin the return to a “normal” way of life.
Lent calls us to be vigilant against “spiritual evils” especially those that have spread during the pandemic. Namely, sin and selfishness, spiritual apathy and indifference, sloth, and laziness especially in our faith lives and religious obligations! Now is the time to be ever more vigilant in faithfully attending Holy Mass on Sundays as God has commanded us. Now is the time to be more vigilant in more frequently seeking out God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession. Now is the time to be more vigilant in making sacrifices, being more charitable to the poor, and practicing self-denial as we take up the cross and follow Christ.
The campaign of Lent begins this Wednesday with ashes on our foreheads. We take up the clarion call of Lent: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” It is a time for more prayer and reflection in our daily lives. We are distributing a small book of Lenten Gospel Reflections by Bishop Robert Barron, one of the leading evangelists of our day. It is a great source of prayer and reflection. Additionally, there are many other books available on the book rack in the Church vestibule. Consider taking a break from the busy daily routine to add some time for spiritual reading, prayer, and reflection.
Join us daily for one of our Lenten Masses at 7:30 am and 12:05 pm. Also, make this year’s Parish Lenten Mission with Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington. He is preaching to us on a timely topic, “The Corona19 Virus Pandemic: Curse or Moment of Grace?” Monsignor is a very talented priest and dynamic preacher. He begins our Annual Lenten Mission next weekend at all Masses. I hope you take the time to make the Mission. A full Mission schedule is in the bulletin this week.
The Fridays of Lent are a day of penance and prayer as we loyally keep the sacrificial fast and abstain from meat in honor of our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross. Our Lenten fast from food and certain drinks and other comforts and pleasures helps us to conform to God’s will. We take up fasting by giving up some pleasure or comfort in our lives for forty days. In giving up such things as chocolate and sweets, beer or Bourbon, technology like cell phones, internet, Netflix or even cigars, helps us answer the call to fast, self-denial and sacrifice, as did our Savior in the desert.
On the Fridays of Lent we pray the Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm. This venerable devotion draws us closer to the Crucified Christ as we prayerfully follow his footsteps to Cavalry. Confession is offered daily Monday through Friday at 11:45 am just before the Lenten 12:05 Mass. Each Monday night at 6:00pm during Lent, an extra guest Confessor joins us. All Day Confessions take place on Saturday, March 26th! Also, four priests are hearing Confessions each night before the Mission Talks at 6:00 pm!
We give more alms in Lent through Operation Rice Bowl, so please take a rice bowl home. The monies collected buy food for the hungry of the world. We are also asked to support OLM Outreach and the Catholic Charity Appeal during this sacrificial season.
Pope Francis’ Message for Lent reminds us: “The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer, and sharing of our goods helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father.”
May the self-restraint and spiritual combat of Lent be a time of conversion to Christ. Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless! Lent is coming. Get ready! Pray, fast and give alms!