First Sunday of Lent February 18, 2018

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake:

This past WED we celebrated Ash Wednesday and began our season
of Lent. The word ‘Lent’ comes from an old English word to mean
‘springtime,’ which may bring to our minds some kind of spring
cleaning and the new life in nature.

The season of Lent, therefore, invites us to do some spiritual ‘spring cleaning’ and enjoy ‘new or renewed life’ as a result. The invitation when we received Ashes this past WED was along the same line: ‘Repent and Believe in the Gospel!’ This invitation, which set the tone for our Lenten Season, indeed has 2 parts: • We need to repent, renew & turn away from sins in order to bring our sins to ashes; I Believe in, live and be faithful to the Gospel & the way of the Lord! With the grace of God we want to bring about a spiritual springtime to our faith journey.

As you know, the 3 traditional Lenten disciplines are: PRAYING, FASTING and ALMS-GIVING. In our effort to honor these disciplines, may I suggest the following:

•   In addition to participating in weekend Masses 
  faithfully, go to weekday Masses when you can;

•   Pray over the Scriptures before Mass. Do some spiritual

  Lenten readings (available at the back of the Church). SPECIAL: Matthew Kelly’s Book entitled ‘Perfectly Yourself - -Discovering God’s Dream for You’ has been offered to you. If you wish you may want to join the two book discussion groups (1 led by Linda Zuleger & 1 by Deacon Bill).

•   Participate in the Stations of the Cross, Holy Hour, Rosary, etc.

•   Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).

•   Find ways to give alms –i.e. sharing, such as

  participating in some charity causes;

•   Observe the Lenten Fasting & Abstaining Regulations

  of the Church.
  
  Your own initiatives?
  
   LENTEN REGULATIONS: Each Catholic is asked to preserve the penitential purpose and character of Lent, which begins ASH WEDNESDAY. Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent and Good Friday. In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday until they celebrate their 59th birthday are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may only eat one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. These practices are designed for spiritual growth. Catholics are not to excuse themselves lightly from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.

 

Fr. Philip