From the Pastor’s Desk
With the beginning of Lent this coming Ash Wednesday we are all challenged to review our lives with an eye to letting go of selfish attitudes opening our hearts and minds and becoming more aware of God’s grace within us. God’s presence within us began at our Baptism and continues throughout our lives barring serious sin. Lent is the time to “grow” His grace and celebrate it by appreciating others and caring for them. Lent is also the time to reacquaint in deeper ways the Lord with whom we walk day by day.
Ash Wednesday Masses and distribution of ashes will be celebrated at 9:00 am, Noon, and 5:30pm. Because of COVID protocols ashes will not be marked on our foreheads but be sprinkled on our heads, the actual practice for many centuries in the early church.
Lenten rules for fast and abstinence include not eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent for all Catholics 14 years or older. For those 18 — 59 years are to observe the fasting practice of not eating between two small meals which do not exceed the main meal. Exceptions for reasons of health can be made. Any questions should be addressed to the pastor or deacon.
As we begin in a few days this holy and serious season let me quote a fellow priest’s thoughts on Lent. Fr. Thomas Connery shares this:
“An 87 year old woman was admitted into the hospital. The intake nurse asked, “Has your diet changed?” “Yes” she replied. “For Lent, I gave up whipped cream on my Jello, hard candy and my two beers a night — and look where it got me!” SO WHERE WILL LENT GET YOU? If it is only a means to drop a few pounds or quit some uncomfortable habit, then maybe not far enough. There’s nothing wrong in losing weight by our fasting, it’s an extra bonus. Yet it is not the motivation for our fasting.
We want to be more like Jesus. We want to be better versions of ourselves. Lent is that opportunity. Don’t waste it. Choose a Lenten practice for these next 40 days.”
Hope to see you in church this coming Wednesday.