Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake:
This Sunday is our Fourth Sunday of Lent, half-way of Lent, and is traditionally called Laetare Sunday.  This name is taken from the Latin word which begins the Entrance Antiphon for this Sunday –i.e. ‘Lætare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam...’(Lat).  or ‘Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her... Laetare means Rejoice. Laetare Sunday can be seen as a kind of ‘relaxation’ in a strict penitential characater. However, on Laetare Sunday, we are called to look with hope & expectation to the great Solemnity of Easter, for which we have been preparing ourselves as a Church during the Lenten season.  As you may recall, Lent is a term which comes from the Anglo-Saxon Lencten, which means ‘spring.’ With the brutal winter we have barely gone through, it has been quite a treat to experience the beautiful weather the last several days, as we continue to ‘think Spring.’ Spiritually, Lent invites us to think of our ‘Spiritual Spring’ – a change of minds & hearts for the better in the way of the Lord. Lent is indeed a time to grow closer to Jesus.

Similar to Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent), on our Laetare Sunday priests are also invited to wear a Rose vestment!
As we continue the spirit of Lent –i.e. Repent and Believe in the Gospel, let us continue our Lenten activities, especially the 3 traditional Lenten disciplines –Praying, Fating & Alms-giving, and Rejoice in the Lord.

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. 

✠    In 2019, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6, Good Friday, April 19, Easter Vigil April 20, and Easter Sunday April 21, 2019.