Fr. Brad's Weekly Message
Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that in just three days we will celebrate Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of the Season of Lent. As you will note in the bulletin, our Masses on that day will be at 8 am., 12:05 pm., and 7 pm. When we think of Lent, we often think of it as a period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This season that originated in the fourth century of the Church, spans 40 weekdays, beginning on Ash Wednesday and climaxing with the celebration of the sacred Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. As we draw closer to these celebrations, I will be providing more information about each of the High Holy Days.
Originally, Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptized, a time of concentrated study and prayer before their baptism at the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord early on Easter Sunday. But since these new members were to be received into a living community of Faith, the entire community was called to preparation. Also, this was the time when those who had been separated from the Church would prepare to rejoin the community.
Today, Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as the Sundays in Lent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance.
During this season, three concepts are stressed, namely, penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Some churches today still observe a rigid schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent, especially the giving up of meat, alcohol, sweets, and other types of food. Other traditions do not place as great an emphasis on fasting, but focus on charitable deeds, especially helping those in physical need with food and clothing, or simply the giving of money to charities. Most Christian churches that observe Lent at all focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, repenting for failures and sin as a way to focus on the need for God’s grace. It is really a preparation to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live and hope for, as Christians.
Below, I have spelled out the Lenten Regulations. Both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fast and Abstinence.
Fasting is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.
Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
To conclude, I want to thank you all for the welcome you gave our two novices, Michael Gonzales and Christopher Labadie. For the quick month they were with us, they became involved in a good number of different aspects of parish life. They now have a sense of what happens, day to day, in an active parish. I know they expressed their gratitude last weekend. They really enjoyed their stay “in paradise.” I ask that you keep them in your prayers as they finish the remaining half of their Novitiate year which ends with the profession of vows on July 28, 2012.
Fr. Brad