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February 23, 2022The five seasons of the Church year are Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter and Ordinary Time. This week we transition to the holy season of Lent with its purpose to “… make our minds pure,.. eagerly intent on prayer, works of charity and participating in the holy mysteries…” (first preface of Lent). It is the beginning of a journey that we hope helps us to see where and how the Lord is helping us to grow closer to Him and be better disciples of Jesus Christ.
Lately, my favorite Lenten image is that it is like driving toward the Sun with a dirty windshield. We see the dirt and dust and cannot help but want to clear it away. Lent offers us that opportunity, so that we can see God more clearly, love Christ more dearly, and follow him more nearly, as St. Richard of Chichester has said, as it is quoted in the music of GodSpell and even Greg in the Meet the Parents movie of long ago.
This year we hope that all will be encouraged to the acts of charity that we are asking everyone to be part of. Lent is a time to make change that help us spiritually and practically and the change centered in our hearts and minds allows us to grow in love and generosity and to see Christ more clearly in the other. The universal call to holiness is in part answered by all of our efforts during this time. That is really the purpose of Lent, to allow all of us to grow in holiness. I hope that Lent also makes us more deeply aware of what the love of Christ means to each of us and that we can see it working through us and in others. I hope you have a holy and grace filled Lent
This weekend we also kick off our Annual Catholic Appeal. I am grateful to Patrick Moriarty and Maeve Harrington, who are this year’s co-Chairs. In addition to all they do for the parish, Maeve and Patrick are engaged and will be getting married here in the summer. I am grateful to them as they witness to the great work of the Archdiocese and help us help the needy among us in all the ways we do. Whether it is through our parish life, so central to the church, or education, health care, shelters and other forms, the Catholic Appeal helps us recognize we are part of something bigger than ourselves that is holy and apostolic and far reaching Thanks Patrick and Maeve and thanks to all of you. This year our required amount is $31,500. We are already partway there, due to early givers. Thanks again for all your generosity.
Peace,
Father MurrayBuilding news.
We hope to return to Immaculate Conception Church this week. As I am writing this, the floor company is preparing the floors with one final sanding of the floors. I was told by the company owner that the floors were well worn and that has taken time to complete everything. The new floor product, which is made in Vermont, will have a citrus smell, so we can anticipate that.
At St. James, Chad has finished painting the floor boards in the Sanctuary and so we will be ready for Palm Sunday and Easter.
