This Week Letter – March 3, 2019
From the Pastor’s Desk…
Sincere thanks to all who responded to Cardinal Cupich’s plea and made a commitment for the needs of Christ’s Church. I ask all who have not yet had the opportunity to respond to the Catholic Appeal to do so today or at your earliest convenience. Pledge forms are available from all the ushers. Completed forms may be brought to the rectory, dropped in the collection basket or mailed in. I believe that if all of us take part in this Appeal, our parish will reach its goal.
It is hard to believe that this coming Wednesday , March 6th, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. We start this holy penitential season with Mass and the traditional blessing with ashes. I invite you to take part, also, in our other Lenten services such as Stations of the Cross and Polish Lamentations. A full schedule of Lenten devotions is printed in this bulletin.
Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years and older on Ash Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one‘s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not allowed. The special Paschal fast and abstinence are observed on Good Friday with observance on Holy Saturday encouraged.
When we put God first in everything and live by the word of the Lord instead of living from the bread of the world, then we
Fast from fear; Feast on Faith
Fast from despair; Feed on hope.
Fast from depressing news; Feed on prayer.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger and worry; Feed on patience.
Fast from negative thinking; Feast on positive thinking.
Fast from bitterness; Feed on love and forgiveness.
Fast from words that wound; Feast on words that heal.
Fast from gravity; Feast on joy and humor
. God Bless… Fr. Rich
