It seems that it was only a yesterday that we were celebrating the birth of Christ at Christmas. Now we are at the beginning of Lent. The word lent itself comes from the old English word for Spring and of course, spring to most of us means a time for new life after the long cold winter. The spiritual meaning of Lent has a similar understanding as it is a time of spiritual new life using the three spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
The Lenten Schedule was in last weeks bulletin. There are extras in the church entryway. It shows all the opportunities available for spiritual growth. Many of the things are the same as last year – Station of the Cross, weekday evening Masses, Wednesday Night Soup Suppers, Adoration with guest speakers, and of course Knights of Columbus Fish Fries.
It is my desire that we have many different opportunities to grow in our faith and to build a strong parish family. I realize that folks have a busy schedule and as the weather gets warmer even more things will pop up on our calendars but, I truly want to encourage you to work hard this Lent and take advantage of every opportunity, especially the times of Reconciliation/Confession.
It is by living our faith and growing in our faith that we can come to inherit the promise of eternal life offered to us through the Paschal Mystery (Christ’s Death and Resurrection) revealed to us that first Easter and made present to us at every Mass at the altar. By following Christ in faith and love we will come to the fullest experience of Easter and the new life offered to us by God.
Blessings, Father Dooley
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT What do I remember most about Lent as a kid? Do I work as hard at spiritual growth as I need to? Does my life fill up with less important things than my discipleship?
St. Mary's/St. Patrick's Parishes 