The up-coming season of Lent is a time for us to intensify our prayer life, fast from what inhibits us from growing in our friendship with Jesus and with one another, and giving alms which is doing acts of charity for those in need.

Like last year, observance of the Lenten season is being modified because of the pandemic.  There will be changes in our celebration of Ash Wednesday, which will be discussed in a 4-minute of catechesis in our masses next weekend.  Chances are holy week will also be celebrated in a nuanced way.  Despite the adjustments, the three pillars of Lent remain the same prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

In the past, our community was given a pebble as a symbol of our Lenten journey and prayer.  This year, I am going to offer a book entitled: I Thirst. 40 days with Mother Teresa.  This book provides an opportunity to spend a few minutes everyday with Mother Teresa and the thirst of our Lord.  It also provides an opportunity to grow in intimacy and meet the thirst of God with our own thirst for Him.

The book is meant to guide and help us in our Lenten journey.  What we will quickly learn is that it is not only we who thirst for God, but God thirsts for us.  God longs to continue to build that friendship with us.

I encourage all of us to set aside a few minutes everyday during the Lenten season to dialogue with our God.  In addition, I am also partnering with the Growing our Friendship with Jesus team and Leah Harris, to make some plans in making our Lenten journey a prayerful and fruitful one.  As soon as the plan is set, we will inform all you through our website and e-bulletin.

I continue to hold you in my daily prayers and I ask that you please continue to remember me in yours as well.  Stay safe and healthy!  May the Spirit guide us and give us the strength we need.

Image by: St. Maximilian Kolbe Church