In all sporting events, we are used to seeing a team practicing before a season begins.  The efforts put into the pre-season workouts will lead, in most cases, to positive results when the season begins.  Such, I believe, is the case for those parishioners who participated in the pre-Lenten season workout of our recent parish mission.  Whether you did or didn't hear the wonderful talks of Father Lukefahr, the fact is that the season of Lent is now upon ALL OF US, and the opportunities for growth in The Lord are awaiting us.  Firstly, there is the Mass, which will be celebrated on Monday through Friday throughout Lent at 9:00 a.m. and on Wednesdays also, at 6:30 p.m.

We will give out the "Little Lenten Reflection Books" on Ash Wednesday and at the Masses for the First Sunday of Lent for your use each day of Lent at home.  We will also encourage participation in "Operation Rice Bowl" which asks us to save money for the poor throughout Lent and bring our rice bowls back around Holy Thursday (March 28) so our money can be combined for the efforts of Catholic Relief Services to help lift people around the world out of the throes of poverty.

We will offer our Soup and Dessert meals on Wednesdays of Lent at 5:00 p.m., followed by a video that will help us grow stronger in our knowledge of the faith through the presentations by Michael Cumby (a convert to Catholicism) and videos from Liguori Publications on "What Catholics Believe".  We will offer insightful teachings on "Catholicism" from Father Michael Barron, a well known theologian from Chicago on the Tuesday and Thursday mornings of Lent after Mass.  Finally, we will pray the Stations of the Cross each of the Fridays of Lent at 6:30 p.m. and our Lenten Reconciliation Service will take place on Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m.  It's a full season of growth in holiness and knowledge of the Faith in this "Year of Faith".  Please make this season a fruitful one and helpful to get ready for the NEXT blessed season, that of Easter.