Dear Parishioners:

Our solemn fast of forty days has begun! The ashes from Ash Wednesday have been washed away. However, the appeal to "Repent and Believe the Gospel!" remains before us. And so we commit ourselves to more prayer, penitential self-denial, and generous almsgiving.

Lent has its origin in the early days of the Church. Converts seeking to become Christians, mostly adults at that time, spent several years studying and preparing. Under the threat of Roman persecution, becoming a Christian was serious business, so their preparation process was intensive! They went through a final period of "purification and enlightenment" for the 40 days before their baptism at Easter. The rest of the Church began to observe the season of Lent in solidarity with these newest Christians. It became an opportunity for all Christians to recall and renew their commitment to their baptismal promises.

Lent calls us to conversion as we acknowledge how we have turned away from God in our lives. We focus on turning our hearts and minds back toward God through the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These observances help us turn away from whatever has distracted or derailed us and to turn back to God. Giving up something for Lent is ultimately a form of fasting. We can deprive ourselves of some small pleasure or indulgence and offer that sacrifice to God. Or we might "give up" a bad habit, such as swearing, to positively turn our life back toward what God wants for us.

Lent is a time to accompany Jesus into the desert, imitating his example of prayer and fasting. Jesus' regimen was rigorous in the wilderness. St. Luke explains how he "was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, he was hungry."

Giving up something for Lent is a powerful way to imitate the sacrifices of Jesus in the desert and unite our hearts with his heart in prayer. While Catholics are technically not obliged to make such a sacrifice, the Church has always encouraged the faithful to do something to enter into the penitential Spirit of Lent more deeply. By making such sacrifices, we remind ourselves that we are not made for life on this earth but are called to something greater. It is up to us to make good use of our time and to find ways to refocus our attention on God, choosing the narrow road that leads to eternal life.

One of our high school altar servers told me that last Lent, he gave up "Tik Tok," the Chinese-owned social video-sharing app, and has never returned to using it! Good for him! His Lenten fast from social media produced good fruit! What are you giving up? Let's pray it produces good spiritual fruit for you!

Pope Francis said: "Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt."

Since Lent is a time to renew and reinvigorate our relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to make the Parish Lenten Mission. It begins next weekend with Dominican Friar Father Justin Brophy, OP, preaching on "Our Relationship with Jesus: the Pearl of Great Price." Fr. Brophy is preaching at the Masses next weekend and offering a Mission Talk each night on Monday through Wednesday, March 6-8. Also, four priests will be available each night of the Mission for Confession beginning at 6:00 pm. Be sure to put the Parish Lenten Mission on your calendar!

I again wish to thank the 161 parish families who have made their pledge to the Catholic Charity Appeal. We need every parish family to support the CCA if we are to reach our goal of $190,000 this year! If you still need to pledge, please consider pledging $350 over ten months at $35 monthly. The CCA funds the Diocese of Providence's many charitable good works in serving the poor and needy of our state. In the name of the poor and needy, I thank you for your support.

Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless! Lent has begun, take up your cross. Pray, Fast, and Give Alms!!

Lent Has Begun! Take up Your Cross!