February 19, 2012

Dear Parishioners,

Lent is upon us! After these weeks of winter and Ordinary Time, our attention now turns to this holy season which causes us to reflect on our baptism and our call to holiness and to look for ways that we might more fully live the Christian life, relying on God’s help to be true disciples of His! As we prepare for this holy season and reflect on how we might live it, let us remind ourselves that this is not just a time to ‘give up’ or to ‘diet’, refraining from the food and drink we really don’t need any way! It’s a time to renew ourselves in our faith- through prayer, fasting and the giving of alms. And so let us ask ourselves how I might come to know Jesus even more fully, perhaps through daily Mass or prayer, by coming to the Stations of the Cross, or in so many other ways. And let us ask ourselves, am I willing to be reconciled, willing to come before the Lord to acknowledge my sins and to ask his forgiveness, knowing that his love and mercy know no bounds! And let us ask ourselves, how can I more fully share my time and talents with those in need, recognizing that everyone I see is my brother or sister, part of our family, someone I am responsible for! And let us ask ourselves; from what do I need to fast? Is it just certain foods, or is it perhaps certain behaviors or attitudes? And let us ask ourselves; what does it mean to be a baptized Christian and how can I more fully live this life I promised to live? Lent us a time for reflection and doing, not just from refraining from certain foods! I am hopeful that you will use the next few days to reflect on how you will live this season and make the most of this time!

I call your attention to the Bishop’s instruction for the season of Lent, found within this parish bulletin and on our parish website. I am hopeful that his remarks will help you to enter more fully into this holy season.

Our own parish schedule for Lent has been mailed to all registered parishioners (and will be highlighted in the bulletin and on the website!)….so you know that Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday and that Ashes will be distributed at all Masses and Liturgy of the Word services. This year we are offering a Liturgy of the Word service at 12:15 in place of Mass to better accommodate the many (majority) of people who come to this Mass from local businesses on their lunch hour, the service will be a bit shorter and so I am hopeful that these people will be better able to focus on the prayer and celebration and not be so worried about the time!

I encourage you to join our parish community for the celebration of the Stations of the Cross on each of the Friday’s of Lent. Last year we were not in our own building and so prayed these at the Cranbury Presbyterian Church. We were grateful for their hospitality, but it will be great to be back home to pray the Stations in our own building! I am hopeful that many of you will take advantage of this and join us in prayer these nights!

Lent is a holy time, let us use this time well, allowing ourselves to live more fully the Christian life that we will come to Easter with hearts renewed and ready to recommit ourselves to living the life we are called to live!

In Christ,

Msgr. Robert