Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
 
Another Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday this week. We commonly associate Lent with 40 days of "giving up" things. In fact Lent is a time of more intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for a more meaningful Easter. 
 
These practices build up the theological virtues of faith (in God), hope (for ourselves) and love (of others).  Prayer strengthens our relationship with God. Fasting makes us more aware of what is, and is not, necessary for our life in Christ. Almsgiving draws us into a more charitable response to the needs of others.  Our personal Lenten practices should be regarded as some way to pray, fast or give alms. 
 
We also share communal, or Church-wide, Lenten practices such as abstaining from meat on Fridays of Lent. These general Lenten practices unite us to the Body of Christ, the Church.  The parish has prepared a number of opportunities for parishioners' personal  and communal Lenten practices.

 • Confessions  Saturdays and 3rd Thursdays    

Penance Service, 7pm March 5    Noon to Midnight      St. Thomas, Friday March 2     St. Mary, Friday March 9 

• Daily Mass  6:30am and 8:30 or 9:00am 

• Stations of the Cross 7:00pm Fridays of Lent    (with Confessions after) 

• Lectio-Eucharist 10:45 on Sundays and repeated     7pm on Monday  

• www.FORMED.org   log on and use parish code • daily reflection books  at doors of church 

 
I hope you'll take full advantage of these Lenten practice opportunities as a way to grow in faith, hope and love. Anyone who takes his/her Lenten observance seriously and regularly will discover that Easter has much more meaning for our daily lives. 
 
Your pastor and brother in Christ, 
 
 
 
Fr. Gerry Reinersman