Those who participated in Mass here on Ash Wednesday may recall that in my homily, I encouraged choices of Lenten practices in the areas of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that are such that we will continue them long after Lent is over. Some of us "give up" something during Lent with the intention to resume what we "gave up" once Lent is over. I challenged folks at Mass to see Lent and the practices we choose during this holy season, as opportunities to grow in the Lord and in the ways of the Lord, that will have a positive impact on our lives during Lent and hopefully for the rest of our lives. In the area of prayer, I urge you to come to at least one daily Mass each week of Lent (remembering that we have Mass during Lent on Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. and an additional Mass on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Since I have been here, I have continued to celebrate daily Mass at 9:00 a.m. which, I'm assuming, is good for those who are coming. In fact, it may not be good for many of our parishioners for one reason or another. After seeing the Mass attendance during Lent at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, I may consider doing another poll to see if any change in the current daily Mass schedule may lead those who are not coming at all, to come if the time was somewhat, or greatly, different than it is now. While I certainly don't want to upset those who currently and faithfully come to daily Mass, I am confident that most of them would be open to some change if it will mean that more people will join them for Mass during the week.
In the area of amsgiving, I pray that our attention to the needs of the Poor by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" and other other opportunities to help the Poor in our area with our time, talent and/or treasure, will connect us closer to the Poor and to God (whose special love for the Poor is brought out clearly in the Old and New Testaments) and that our connection grows deeper as we continue to give attention and care to those who are poor for the rest of our lives.
May our Lenten practices, not only prepare us for the joy of Easter, but also lead to continued joy in the Lord throughout our lives and we pray, through God's mercy, for all eternity.
ADDENDUM
After finishing my Pastor's Column, I came across a pamplet entitled: "The Infinite Value of the Holy Mass" which I intend to order and make available for all of you to read. In light of my emphasis on the blessings of participating in Mass, I would like to quote one section from that pamphlet here. "The Eucharistic Liturgy is also the summit of our life like the mountain peak for the climber. We are baptized so that we might come together to praise God by partaking of Christ's sacrifice and consuming the Lamb at His wedding banquet." Let us reflect and meditate on this powerful statement in our prayer time(s) this week.
Since I have been here, I have continued to celebrate daily Mass at 9:00 a.m. which, I'm assuming, is good for those who are coming. In fact, it may not be good for many of our parishioners for one reason or another. After seeing the Mass attendance during Lent at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, I may consider doing another poll to see if any change in the current daily Mass schedule may lead those who are not coming at all, to come if the time was somewhat, or greatly, different than it is now. While I certainly don't want to upset those who currently and faithfully come to daily Mass, I am confident that most of them would be open to some change if it will mean that more people will join them for Mass during the week.
In the area of amsgiving, I pray that our attention to the needs of the Poor by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" and other other opportunities to help the Poor in our area with our time, talent and/or treasure, will connect us closer to the Poor and to God (whose special love for the Poor is brought out clearly in the Old and New Testaments) and that our connection grows deeper as we continue to give attention and care to those who are poor for the rest of our lives.
May our Lenten practices, not only prepare us for the joy of Easter, but also lead to continued joy in the Lord throughout our lives and we pray, through God's mercy, for all eternity.
ADDENDUM
After finishing my Pastor's Column, I came across a pamplet entitled: "The Infinite Value of the Holy Mass" which I intend to order and make available for all of you to read. In light of my emphasis on the blessings of participating in Mass, I would like to quote one section from that pamphlet here. "The Eucharistic Liturgy is also the summit of our life like the mountain peak for the climber. We are baptized so that we might come together to praise God by partaking of Christ's sacrifice and consuming the Lamb at His wedding banquet." Let us reflect and meditate on this powerful statement in our prayer time(s) this week.