Dear Parishioners,
Ash Wednesday (February 25th) marks the beginning of Lent. The ashes we receive on our foreheads that day are an annual reminder of the passage of time and our constant need for repentance and our need to make a change in our lives. You remembered that last Palm Sunday, we waved those palms in praise of Christ at the beginning of Holy Week and now we must humbly call to mind the many times that we have failed Him since that day. Receiving the ashes on our forehead indicates our willingness to do penance for our sins. The traditional words used as the ashes are placed provide us with a timely reflection: “Remember you are dust and unto dust you will return”. An alternative verse used in many churches, focuses our attention on the deep meaning of our Lenten observance: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” So let’s use Ash Wednesday as a wonderful opportunity to decide how we can live the Gospel message especially during Lent.
For many of us, Lent marks the time we “give up something.” This can be a good idea for families to decide to limit the time for TV or even eliminate TV and use the “extra” time as family time. We can also give up going to the movies, and giving up chocolates. The money you saved can be placed in the St. Vincent the Paul boxes in church.
Lent is a time of conversion and turning our lives more completely over to Christ and His way of life. This always involves giving up sin in some form. The goal of this “giving up sin” is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root it out of our lives forever. Conversion means leaving behind an old way of living and embracing a new life in Christ.
The three most important aspects we should focus on in Lent are: Prayer, Penance and Good Works. These are a “must” for us Christians on our Lenten Journey toward Easter. The simple and somber decorations in the church and the purple banners
hanging on the walls during the Lenten season, will again remind us on this.
In the bulletin you will find the Lenten norms for fast and abstinence. Parents please read them carefully and help your children to make Lent a special time for following Christ.
Every Friday we will also have the Stations of the Cross at 12:00PM and 7:30pm.
Blessings to you and your family, my good people of God.
Father Alex Dalpiaz, c.s.