In a football game, or any sporting event, if a player or participant is not alert and active in the early part of the contest, he can fall behind and struggle to catch up and pull out a victory.  Something similiar is true when it comes to the Lenten season, especially the one this year in our parish.  Getting involved early in private time and prayer before Jesus in the Monstrance in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, participating in daily Mass, and Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent, our Wednesday offering of Mass at 4:30 p.m. followed by a soup and sandwich meal and a video presentation by Archbishop Sheen; and, our parish Lenten mission which occurs early in Lent, March 1-4, are all ways to get off to a fast start and stay ahead in this wonderful season of renewal and repentance.  As I preached this past weekend, it also leads to a meaningful and even life-changing experience when we enter into the annual celebration of the paschal mystery at the Easter Triduum, April 2-5.  This year we have the extra blessing of two men, Ted Giraud and Junior Wilken, who are preparing during this time of Purification and Enlightenment for the Easter Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil.  It is our call and responsibility as a community of faith to pray for them, encourage them, and support them throughout the Lenten season and welcome them into Christ's Body, the Church, at the Easter Vigil.  The fact is:  No matter how we get started and participate in Lent, the victory is assured through Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.  We can be a wonderful part of that victory celebration, IF we participate in our Lenten journey at the beginning and throughout this blessed season!