Dear Fellow Parishioners, As we enter this third week of Lent, we witness Jesus getting angry with those who have turned His Father’s house into a marketplace. We all get angry. Sometimes we are angry with ourselves and this anger, in turn, spills out towards others. Sometimes we have lofty expectations of ourselves and others and when those expectations fall short, we get angry. When we get angry, we need to breathe and show mercy to ourselves and others. During this Lenten Season I am praying the second Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as confession or penance) calls us to “be made friends again” with God, others, ourselves, and all of God’s creation. Each time you hear the word “reconciliation” think “make friends again” and who is it that you need to extend the hand of friendship. This personal examination of conscience prepares us for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Church encourages us to participate in this Sacrament during Advent, in preparation for Christmas; and during Lent, in preparation for Easter. We will have our annual Tenebrae Service on Tuesday evening of Holy Week (March 26) with an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Use these weeks of Lent to prepare to receive the grace of forgiveness and mercy extended to those who desire to be made friends again!
Often, we want our Lenten journey and other aspects of our life to be perfect. Be gentle with yourself and others. Someone mentioned that they were ready to give up. “This Lent has been just awful.” STOP! Take one day at a time and use the many opportunities available to enhance the Lenten journey. Pray the Stations of the Cross either alone or on Tuesday mornings at 11:30 if you can. Daily Mass is Monday-Thursday at 9:00 AM in the Day Chapel. The six prayer stations around the church can add to your spiritual journey. Monday evening in the Day Chapel from 6:30-8:00PM there is quiet time during Adoration. Come spend a few moments in the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. Many are taking advantage of the on-line reflections from Dynamic Catholic, The Jesuit Minutes, Hallow, and others. Do not make the Lenten journey in isolation. This is a time of communal prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. Lastly, I am hoping that you are discussing the Lenten journey with family members, or friends. We are all making the journey from head to heart, encouraging each other along the way. Fr. Bill