Dear Parishioners and Friends,
 
Individually and as a parish family, we continue to walk our Lenten journey from the dryness of ashes to the abundance of new life at Easter. The portrayal of the season of Lent as a journey inspires us to take daily steps of conversion, renewal, and spiritual growth. This concept of Lent suggests a movement from one state of being to another. “When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and see things as a child does, and think like a child; but now that I have become an adult, I have finished with all childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11). It is important to see the world through the innocent and trusting eyes of a child. However, we need to grow in spiritual maturity, deepen our faith and knowledge, and become more aware of our “sacred- self.” We move from hurt to healing, from sin to forgiveness, from selfishness to self-giving, from the abyss of spiritual apathy to the vibrant and clear awareness of God’s loving presence. “Let us strive to know Yahweh; that He will come is as certain as the dawn. He will come to us like a shower, like the rain of springtime to the earth” (Hosea 6:3).
 
Thomas Merton, a well-known spiritual writer of the 20th century, offers practical and helpful insights concerning self-awareness and knowledge of God. He reminds us that God reveals Himself in our inner being, and in the community of believers – in the communion of those who seek, love, and serve our Creator and Redeemer. Therefore, it is important to become active members of the parish family – the living Body of Jesus Christ! Merton writes: “This is what it means to seek God: to practice silence and listen to the voice of God; to withdraw from illusion and pleasure, from worldly anxieties and desires, from the works that God does not want, from a glory that is only human display. We need to know ourselves before we can know and communicate with other people and with God. A person who is not at peace with himself projects his interior fighting into the society of those he lives with, and spreads a contagion of conflict all around him. What can we gain by flying to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest is useless. Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. Love is our true identity and destiny.”
 
In Christ’s abundant Life,
Fr. Stanley
 
 

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes the faithfuland the catechumens to celebrate the Paschal Mystery – the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. We are called to listen more intently to the Word of God; devote ourselves to prayer, fasting and charity; and prepare our whole being through a spirit of repentance to renew our baptismal promises (cf. Ceremonial of Bishops).  The prayers for Ash Wednesday exhort us to “follow the Lenten observances, that we may be worthy to come with minds and hearts made pure to celebrate our redemption and newness of life in our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Guided by the Holy Spirit and inspired by prayerful support of our brothers and sisters, we entrust our Lenten journey to our gracious God - “who is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4).

The call which our loving God addresses to us through the prophet is strong and clear: “Returnto me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12). Pope Francis writes: “During Lent, the Church renews her appeal to repentance, the call to change one’s life.  Conversion is not the question of a moment or a time of the year; rather, it is an undertaking that lasts one’s entire lifetime.  Why must we convert and return to God?  Because something is not right in us, not right in society, not right in the Church, and we need to change and give it a new direction.  This holy season reminds us that it is possible to create something new within ourselves and around us, simply because God is faithful, rich in goodness and mercy, and always ready to forgive and start afresh.  We are invited to embark upon a journey on which, by defying routine, we strive to go beyond outward forms and vague intentions, and engage and transform our entire person, the whole being.”

In Christ’s abundant Life,

Fr. Stanley