March 5, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Our “40 days” of Lent is a round number with symbolic meaning. The Jews spent “40 years” in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Jesus spent “40 days and 40 nights” fasting in the desert before beginning his ministry. In the early centuries of the Church, the fasting days leading up to Easter varied ~ in some places two days, in others a week. Gradually this grew longer and longer, and by the mid-fourth century, Lent began six weeks before Easter on the first Sunday of Lent.

However, fasting was always prohibited on Sunday, which meant that there were only 36 fasting days in the six week period. To make the Lenten fast include 40 days, the Church added four days of fasting (Ash Wednesday and the three days following). Lent itself ends on the evening of Holy Thursday, thus beginning the Triduum. 

As we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday this week it would be good to begin to sketch some possible Lenten plans. Getting ready for Lent is as simple as stop, look and listen: Stop your activity for a few minutes; take a look at your life; listen to the Holy Spirit within you. When you do that, you will be able to tailor your resolutions to your own needs.

With that in mind, how about trying something new this Lenten season. Instead of giving up something this year, how about giving back something...yourself!!

Take these 40 days to discern where the Lord is calling you to use your gifts and become more involved in one of our parish ministries. On the weekend of April 5th and 6th, come with that sense of purpose in mind and meet with all currently involved in our parish ministries after mass in the church hall.

So treat yourself this year during Lent and enjoy the things you love and grow in your relationship with the Lord by serving others by joining a parish ministry.

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly