The Pastor's Pen

 

March 6, 2022, First Sunday of Lent

Lent: A Time of Return: The invitation of the Lord, issued through the words of the Prophet Hosea is the call to return wholeheartedly to God. This invitation might be heard anew as we officially begin the 40 days of Lent today, a season that will conclude at sunset on Holy Thursday evening. The return to God is a return from ourselves, and the world we inhabit apart from God, including most especially the things that distract us and so keep us from a fuller devotion to God. Many of us have been physically distant during the pandemic out of a reasonable sense of caution when infection rates were alarmingly high. There are some among us who must still remain cautious and thus apart as they are immune-compromised and unable to be vaccinated, so they are encouraged to continue keeping a safe distance from the larger gatherings of people as at Mass and will continue to be invited to receive the Eucharist on Sundays between 11:45 Am and 1 PM. However, there are some among us who have perhaps become very comfortable connecting to Sunday Mass via Livestream who could and should return to in-person worship as this pandemic wanes. So let us make this Lent that time of returning, making the effort and accepting the sacrifice that is required to come out to Mass on the weekend, and fasting from some of the activities and entertainments that can easily distract us all from the time we might spend in worship, personal prayer, or charitable service.

Make it Your Mission to Participate in Our Mission: “ Lent: A New Springtime “ is the theme of the Parish Mission to be preached by Fr. Vinny Fortunato, OFM, Capuchin. Fr. Vinny will preach at all the Masses on the weekend of March 12th/13th and then preach on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening at 7 PM. In-Person participation is strongly encouraged, but the Masses and Mission Sessions will be available through Livestream.

Fasting / Abstinence /Alms Giving: During Lent, we are asked to fast which means only taking one meal a day in total on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and we are asked to practice abstinence by not eating meat on all the Fridays of Lent. What we are always asked to consider is to try to go above and beyond what is required so as to take Lenten self-denial very seriously and with the money saved on skipped meals devoted to charity to make that self-denial fruitful as well. So perhaps we might not only abstain but also fast on all or most the Fridays of Lent, and if we would go even further, then to take only one meal on another of the days of the week, perhaps Wednesdays as these have been of our tradition. This year the fruits of our fasting turned into dollars will be collected at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and will be divided between the Matthew 25 Fund of our parish which funds our weekly food pantry; Catholic Relief Services supported by the Diocese of the United States and providing relief around the world; and the El Tablon Project of Food for the Poor through which our parish has made a huge difference for the better in the lives of a whole village in Guatemala.

For Your Prayerful Participation During Lent: There are additional Masses on Tuesday and Thursday Evening at 5:30 PM in St. Jude Chapel during Lent. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held on the Fridays of Lent in St Jude Chapel following the 8:30 Mass and will conclude after the 4 PM Stations of the Cross with Benediction.

Many Thanks: A special word of thanks is extended to all who have participated in the synodal dialogue sessions here in CTK parish either in smaller groups associated with the various organizations and ministries, or last Sunday in the general gathering; your presence and thoughtful contributions bear witness to your faith and commitment. Thanks are also due to Janet Trask and Don Frederico, our ambassadors to the Diocesan Synodal Preparation Committee, for organizing and facilitating the gathering last Sunday and to Donna Erdman, Carlene Flynn, Patrick Flynn, Nicholas Matas, Karen Mullaly-Sweeney, Gail Reilly, and Cheryl Ryan who served as table facilitators. All who attended are indebted to our now reactivated Hospitality Committee for the wonderful food and drink provided to all the participants. May this newly reawakened synodal spirit continue to take root in our own parish and throughout the church as His Holiness, Francis, our pope, so deeply desires it will.