Here Comes Lent!

02-23-2020From Fr. Antony's DeskFr. John Barbella

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent. Masses will be offered in our Church that day at 6:45, 8:00am and at 12:10, 5:00 and 7:00pm. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at all those Masses.

There are several ways of looking at Lent. Some people see it simply as a time of penance. We give up treats we like to show that we are sorry for our sins and want to do better in the future. This is a good way of looking at Lent.

Other people look at Lent as a time to do something extra for God. They go to Daily Mass, or practice extra charity as a way of going the extra mile for God during this holy season. This is also a good way of looking at Lent.

I personally think that it’s best to see Lent as a little of both. It is indeed a time of penance, but also a time for spiritual growth. This means that we make the most of Lent by both repenting of sin and doing something extra for God! There will be many opportunities to do this in our parish this Lent.

We will have a Parish Lenten Mission on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 2nd, 3rd and 4 th. I am happy that Fr. Michael Venditti, who usually celebrates our 12:10pm weekday Mass, will preach our Mission. Those who attend that Mass regularly often tell me how much they enjoy his homilies. I hope that many of you will come to the Mission and take advantage of this opportunity for spiritual nourishment.

We will also have a series of Lenten Wednesdays on the Wednesdays of Lent at 7pm. Every Wednesday a different priest or deacon will expose the Blessed Sacrament, preach a Lenten homily, and give Benediction. I encourage everyone to attend at least one-if not all-of these evenings.

We will, of course, pray the Stations of the Cross in Church every Friday of Lent at 3 and 9pm. Stations will also be prayed in the Church on Tuesdays in Spanish. Praying the Stations of the Cross is a great way to remember what Jesus did for us on Good Friday, and to do something extra for Him!

Another good thing to do for Lent is called Best Lent Ever, It is a series of free, daily video reflections you watch or listen to on line. You can sign up at www.DynamicCatholic.com/Lent2020.

Rice Bowls will be distributed as a means of helping us practice charity this Lent. As usual, I encourage every family to take one and fill it up this Lent. A good way to do this is to put spare change in it each day, or to eat a simple meal once a week this Lent and put the money saved in the Rice Bowl for the poor.

Confessions will be heard every Saturday during Lent, and extra Confessors will be assigned to help hear them. Additionally, we will have a Lenten Penance Service on Monday, March 23rd at 7pm. At least 10 priest will be here to help hear Confessions that evening. Participating in a Penance Service is a great thing to do for Lent.

My hope is that everyone will take advantage to these opportunities to repent of our sins and do something extra for God this Lent. Indeed, let’s all resolve to make this the best Lent of our lives, so that we can celebrate Jesus’ resurrection this Easter with our faith, renewed and reenergized!!

Also, we will have a Parish Meeting in Mercy Hall following the 9am Mass next Sunday, March 1st. I will give an update on our parish projects, the capital campaign, and Financial Report. Some members of our Finance and Building and Grounds Committees will also be there. Coffee and donuts will be provided, of course! Hope to see you there.

Have a great week!

Fr. John

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