Ash Wednesday: Lent is upon us once again as Ash Wednesday is March 1. Lent is 40 days long as we live out Jesus’ temptations in the desert by the devil. Yes, there is a devil, and in Scripture and tradition he is called Satan or Lucifer. And yes, he wants to lead you away from God. That’s his whole purpose. He is the great “liar” and “accuser” and “deceiver.” People usually give up something for Lent. May I suggest some other ideas for our Lenten season:
♦ Write down five things you are thankful for each day. A thankful heart is a joyful heart.
♦ Commit to more family meal times. This is more important than we realize.
♦ Keep Holy the Sabbath. If we are missing Mass on Sunday, our priorities are not in order and our life is out of sync.
♦ Instead of giving up food, perhaps do some technological fasting. We need more silence in our lives.
♦ Read the Bible every day, perhaps choose one of the four Gospel writers. The Bible feeds the soul like water and food for the body.
Lenten Stations and Fish Fry: Another great thing to do during Lent is attend Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings at 7 pm. Before you attend the Stations, please stop by and enjoy a fish dinner in the parish hall from 4 – 7 pm. Proceeds go to help our youth.
Witness to Hope Campaign: We are getting there. We are at around $3.6 million. So we just need $400,000 to reach our goal. Seems like a long way, but we can do it. Thank you again to all of you that have given. I know it’s a tremendous sacrifice for many of you.
RCIA Rite of Sending: At the 10:00 a.m. Mass this Sunday the RCIA will have its Rite of Sending. It won’t be long now. About 20 people will be joining the Church and receiving the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
Fire and Wind Talks: This Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, we begin our six-week seminar on the Holy Spirit titled, “Fire and Wind.” I am giving the first presentation this Tuesday on the “Call of Love.” I hope to see you there. Jesus always wants to give us more!
Parish Directory: I’ve been asked by a few people when the parish directory will come out. Good question. The directory just went through a first proof and will soon go through another proof. Hopefully it will come out in the next month or so.
Priest Assignment Committee: On Thursday, March 2, I head to Lansing for another priest assignment committee meeting. Please pray for this endeavor.
Death of Norma McCorvey: Norma was the famous “Roe” in the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court Decision that legalized abortion in 1969. After some time, however, she was baptized. She eventually became Catholic and became a leading advocate for the pro-life cause. She was 69 years old. There is a lot of arguing and tension in our country and world. Cling to Jesus, who lives forever. Have a blessed week walking with our Lord.
In Christ’s love and prayers,
Msgr. Jerry
Some quotes on Lent:
“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.” — Pope Francis
“As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…’Repent and believe’ Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor — He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.” — Saint Teresa of Calcutta