THE CALL OF LENT

The Church’s message to us during the Holy Season of Lent is to encourage us on our own personal journeys toward a deeper and richer relationship with God the Father who created us, God the Son who redeemed us, and the God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us. That’s why the Church urges us to fast, to pray and to give alms as important ways of expressing our desire to become better and holier people. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1434)

FASTING – Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence
for all Catholics between 18 and 59, who are limited to one full meal. All
Lenten Fridays are days of abstinence from meat for all who have reached
the age of 14.

Without endangering your health, why not consider fasting from favorite foods
and beverages? How about fasting or abstaining from unhealthy conversation,
unsavory TV programs, books, and magazines, Internet material, excessive
computer time? Sacrifice a visit to a favorite restaurant and instead, give the
money to a needy cause. The idea is to fast and / or abstain from things which
do not make us better and holier people as well as to fast and abstain from people
who are not good influences in our lives.

PRAYER – Remember, the greatest prayer we have is the Mass. Daily Mass during
Lent is possible for some but not for all. Why not try some time in private prayer
in our Adoration Chapel? How about the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7:30
P.M., or praying the Rosary at home? There’s a lot of good spiritual reading out there.

ALMSGIVING - Giving to help the poor is a work of charity as well as justice. A donation
to “Loaves and Fishes” will help to feed hungry men, women and children as does
your support of our Diocesan Soup Kitchens through our monthly collection. Your
support of our Facilities and Repairs fund has helped us to maintain our Parish
buildings. Have you ever thought of volunteering some time to help at the Dorothy Day
Soup Kitchen, the Midnight Run or our Sister Parish, Saint Peter in Bridgeport?

May God bless us all with the graces of the Lenten Season, especially the grace of repentance of heart.




Msgr. Laurence R. Bronkiewicz
Pastor