Dear Parishioners and Friends,

On Ash Wednesday, March 5, this coming week, the Catholic Church throughout the world will begin the solemn season of prayer, fasting, penance, and almsgiving known as Lent.  I like to recall that the word “Lent”, used only in the English-speaking world, goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon days.  “Lent” is similar to the word “lengthening” which refers to the time of longer days or what we call Spring.  Thus, Lent is springtime for our souls.  It is that special time of year when through His Church Jesus calls each of us to His Way: to take up the Cross and follow Him.  The Lord Himself personally invites each soul to enter more fully into the great mystery of His death and resurrection.

In conversation, some speak about the traditional practices of Lent as if they live only in the past, in quaint memories of yesteryear.  I have even heard some say that they observe a “modern” Lent, which leaves off penance and even prayer and focuses only on works of charity or not even that.  What is the correct way to think about Lent?  The tradition of the Church will always offer to men and women of good will the tried-and-true means and methods utilized by the saints who have gone before us and those who are striving to be saints today. It is the Way of Our Lord Jesus Christ set down for the ages.  Therefore, an authentic, complete, Catholic Lent, must involve prayer, penance, and almsgiving, not just one or the other or nothing at all.  Saint Pope John Paul II, who was beatified in May 2011 and canonized a saint in April of 2014, mirrored all three in his heroic, holy life.  We are called by name to do the same; using the identical, certain means, the Church places before us to attain the desired result of union with God on earth in anticipation of eternal happiness with Him in heaven.

Please take a few moments now during these days before Lent to formulate your Lenten plan.  Prayerfully, in your heart of hearts, look at your life in the light of the teachings and demands of Christ and His Church; and then formulate, even in writing, your personal Lenten program.  Do this right now before you forget!  Don’t delay!   Time is fleeting!  Then as you receive the blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday begin your holy Lenten journey to Easter.  No Lent, no real Easter!  No cross, no crown, no glory!  May you have the best Lent of your life!

Please note our schedule for Ash Wednesday Masses and services for Lent.

Let us rise up and enthusiastically respond to the Lord who calls out: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.  Now is the time of fulfillment!”  

Yours in Our Most Holy Redeemer,

Fr. Mark G. Mazza