Lent is upon us. Pope Francis reminds us “Once again Lent comes to make its prophetic appeal, to remind us that it is possible to create something new within ourselves, and around us, simply because God is faithful.” As the prophet Joel tells us, God calls us to “Return to me with all your heart”. Lent is a journey for us to walk and encounter Christ in a more profound way.
There are many opportunities to do something extra this Lent. There are evening 5.30 pm Masses at SLdM. Friday nights we have Stations of the Cross at 7.30 pm and opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration most Mondays from 8.30 am – Noon (unless there is a funeral).
Lent is often seen as a season to give something up as an act of self-discipline or penitential mortification and indeed such acetic practice is good. But also Lent is, more appropriately, the season to do more; more prayer, more fasting, and more alms-giving.
Please use the Lenten reflection books (free) ‘From Ashes to Easter” with Pope Francis. And also collect your loose change in a rice bowl and had it in at Easter. We can always do more. And Christ himself in last week’s Gospel was calling us not to be minimalists in our faith.
So have a Happy Lent, full of renewed purpose.
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter