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February 20, 2020
Lent is just around the corner with Ash Wednesday on February 26. It’s the time in our liturgical calendar to remind us to “awake from our slumber,” not only begin preparing our minds and hearts for the joyous Easter season, but to reconnect with the living God, who longs to be in relationship with us. When we turn away from God, we lose focus on the gifts and joy that God wants to give us each day.
To quote St. Emily de Rodat, “I was bored only once in my life and that was when I turned away from God.”
It’s time to return to him.
How can we do that? As Catholic families, we have three spiritual tools to access: prayer, fasting and alms-giving.
As families, we can take time to communicate with God, to speak to him, but especially listen for how God is trying to touch our lives. We can also put God’s words to us in action by sacrificing and giving up things, not just our favorite food, but fasting from other pleasures, like our favorite phone app or TV show. We also can give to others, not just in food or clothing donations to the poor –although those are very important – but time volunteering to help others also is a valuable gift that we can offer during Lent.
A great way to start is joining us for our annual Parish Mission at 7:00 p.m. this Sunday through Tuesday in the church. Presenter Fr. John Kartje, rector at Mundelein Seminary will share on “The Holy Spirit: Living in the Mystery,” and how we can invite the Spirit into our Lenten Journey and beyond.
Have a blessed Lenten season,
Dave Retseck, Director of Faith Formation
