Dear Parishioners:
We’ve all been watching with horror the violent invasion of Ukraine. World leaders have condemned the war waged by Russia on the sovereign nation of Ukraine. The suffering and killing of innocent men, women, and children we’ve witnessed is pure evil.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said that priests “will descend to the bomb shelters” of Kyiv to celebrate Masses. The residents of Ukraine’s capital cannot attend Church due to a government-mandated curfew. The Archbishop has called for prayers for Peace, stating: “The Church is with its people! The Church of Christ brings the Eucharistic Savior to those who are experiencing critical moments in their lives, who need the strength and hope of the resurrection.”
We must continue to pray and fast for Peace, especially in Ukraine. As Pope Francis said: “We should respond to the diabolic senselessness of violence with the weapons of God, prayer and fasting.”
Let us pray:
“God of infinite mercy and goodness, with grateful hearts we pray to you today for Peace. You offer us your Peace continually and constantly remind us that peacemakers are blessed. We pray for the people of Ukraine who are experiencing violent conflict and death. Bless all leaders with wisdom, vision, and perseverance needed to build together a world of justice and solidarity, and to break down walls of hostility and division. We pray our brothers and sisters may never yield to discouragement and despair, but become heralds of new hope to one another in this challenging time.
May you continue to inspire us to unity, to work generously for the common good, to respect the dignity of every person and the fundamental rights which have their origin in the image and likeness of God impressed upon every human being.
Grant eternal rest to the dead and quick recovery to the wounded, we pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.”
Lent began on Ash Wednesday as we took up the call to pray, fast, and give alms. St. Francis De Sales reminds us that “Lent is the autumn of the spiritual life during which we gather fruit to keep us going for the rest of the year.”
We can gather the spiritual fruits needed for our lives as disciples in various ways. Certainly, attending Mass faithfully on Sundays and even daily, as well as frequent Confession, is the best way. In addition, we take up extra prayer practices like spiritual reading, spending more time praying in Church, and attending Stations of the Cross.
We must also fast from those pleasures and comforts we like and desire more than we should. Fasting makes room for our love of Christ to grow. St. Alphonsus Ligouri suggests: “Fasting is wonderful because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower.”
Our almsgiving, the practice of giving to the poor, is also a fundamental part of Lent. So please consider sacrificing for the poor and give to Operation Rice Bowl, OLM Outreach, and the Catholic Charity Appeal. We can also assist those suffering deprivation from war and disaster, including the 1.000,000 refugees from Ukraine. Caritas Internationalis, a Catholic group of 160 aid organizations and Catholic Relief Services, provides direct aid in Ukraine.
And finally, one of the best ways to have a fruitful Lent is to make the Parish Mission this week. I welcome our Mission Preacher, Monsignor Kieran Harrington, to OLM in your name. He is a native of Brooklyn, NY, where he served as a pastor and held many other important roles for the Diocese. Monsignor and I first met many years ago on the way to a Catholic School Conference at Notre Dame. We were seated next to one another on the plane. He is a good friend, a talented preacher, and a fine priest.
The Mission is a great way to enter more deeply into the Season of Lent. Join us on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7:00 pm for the Mission Talks. Confessions with four priests begin at 6:00 pm before the Mission. Make the Lenten Mission and gather the spiritual fruits needed “to keep us going for the rest of the year.”
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless! Pray, fast, and give alms! See you at the Mission!