I'm sure all of us, at one time or another, have used the phrase "more or less..." As we are on the doorstep of entering the Lenten Season (which starts this Wednesday), I would say that this is a season of more AND less. Firstly, we are called to LESS or at least to lessen our time doing some "eartly things" such as eating or watching television, or of entering into conversation that too easily gets into the "business" of others. Our focus, as well as our time, talents and treasure should be MORE in the ways of the Lord. In the areas of our prayer life, we can all do more on our own and at home with our "little book" (which you will receive this weekend) or by praying a daily rosary and/or chaplet of divine mercy, or some other spiritual practice that you are already doing and increase in one way or another. Some or all of these can be done before Jesus, present in the Monstrance in our chapel, at a time that works for you, day or evening. This is an excellent time of the year to try out a Holy Hour that is scheduled once a week (committing for the seven weeks of Lent and deciding after Lent to keep it going during the 7 week Easter Season and maybe beyond). There is also weekday Mass which you might consider attending at least once a week throughout Lent. As usual, the Wednesday 5:00 Mass will be followed by a light supper and a 20 - 30 minute video series, "This is Our Faith" (Michael Crumble). I hope more than a few of you will participate in our 5 week study on the Eucharist in Sacred Scripture that is being offered three different times (morning, afternoon, and evening) on Thursdays. After doing the reading and reflections on those readings each week, you will join with others in sharing and/or listening to others reflections and grow in knowledge and in your relationship with the Lord. Please consider joining in some or all of our Stations of the Cross prayer opportunities on the Fridays of Lent. The first two will happen at 4:30 p.m. (February 24 and March 3) and the next 4 (March 10, 17, 24, and 31) at 6:00 p.m. The later times consider the reality of more daylight and will better accommodate those who are still working outside or inside the home. Finally, in addition to choosing acts of charity or committing some of your time and talents to our Helping Hands Ministry (call Cathy Wedwick at 501-915-8456 or Pat Widlowski at 501-922-1395) which assists parishioners whose needs vary from person to person, I hope everyone will participate in "Operation Rice Bowl" by taking a bowl with written materials that help us to appreciate and sympathize with needy people who are poor or who are recovering from a natural disaster. They will also benefit from our prayers and the money we save up and give at the end of Lent which will go (mostly) to "Catholic Relief Services" which assists people all over the world. Some (one fourth) will go to Catholic Charities of Arkansas to assist people closer to home. The opportunities to make this coming season of Lent a great blessing to us and in most cases to the others are these and others. The key is to choose some and be consistent throughout this relatively short season of the year. It has the potential (and even purpose) of making our Easter Season (a time of rejoicing in Jesus' Resurrection) our best one ever and a source of blessing for the rest of the year and, even, the rest of our lives!