Depriving ourselves of sweets, treats, food, wine, liquor, and other indulgences during Lent is only a form of self discipline and not much different than dieting unless it has enabled us to set aside that which we would have spent on our own enjoyment of these treats for the good of the poor. So the day of reckoning is soon upon us with the end of Lent coming as evening falls on Holy Thursday this week. At the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on April 13th we will take up the collection which should represent what we gave up for the sake of others during Lent. Thus so if you gave up Scotch - then you ought to be putting at least the price of a half gallon of your usual brand in the basket - or the cost of several quarts of ice cream or a box or two of chocolates, etc.. If we have denied ourselves nothing or not kept our promise to give something up then perhaps we should double the cost of what we kept enjoying and put that in the basket. Truly putting in "a buck or two" for the poor as the fruit of an entire Lent falls far short of the increased charity we are invited to engage in through our self- denial during this 40 day penitential season. The charities which are designated to benefit from our Lenten sacrifices are:
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - for the poor of our local community.
Catholic Near East Welfare Association- To aid our Christian Brothers and Sister throughout the Middle East.
Catholic Relief Services - for victims of disasters, disease, famine and war throughout the world.
The Students of St Aloysius Seminary in Tanzania -who cannot afford to pay $600 for tuition.
Kindly place your offering as cash or check in a plain envelope marked LENT. If you wish to designate which among the 4 charities you would like to most benefit, kindly list them on the front of the envelope, otherwise the parish will split your contribution evenly among the four. If you cannot attend the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper then please return your envelope to the parish within the next week or two so that these charities may be receive their support.
As we have been richly blessed by the sacrifice of Christ - may those in need in turn be blessed by our Lenten sacrifices!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - for the poor of our local community.
Catholic Near East Welfare Association- To aid our Christian Brothers and Sister throughout the Middle East.
Catholic Relief Services - for victims of disasters, disease, famine and war throughout the world.
The Students of St Aloysius Seminary in Tanzania -who cannot afford to pay $600 for tuition.
Kindly place your offering as cash or check in a plain envelope marked LENT. If you wish to designate which among the 4 charities you would like to most benefit, kindly list them on the front of the envelope, otherwise the parish will split your contribution evenly among the four. If you cannot attend the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper then please return your envelope to the parish within the next week or two so that these charities may be receive their support.
As we have been richly blessed by the sacrifice of Christ - may those in need in turn be blessed by our Lenten sacrifices!
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