Celebrate the Little Victories

We spend so much of life looking for major accomplishments we often fail to take the time to celebrate life's little victories. I guess we need to blame our fallen human nature for that being the case. A week or so ago, I got a card from a parishioner who is a resident at the Victorian Assisted Living facility on Orleans Road.

I've mentioned before that when I go through my mail; I know cards are good; they lift my spirits. It is those long white envelopes with no return address that I've learned to dread. When I opened the card, it was a pretty painting of pastel flowers, and it contained a long, thoughtful note. The parishioner thanked me for my monthly visits to say Mass at the facility, but her genuine thankfulness was for our 2022 Confirmation Class.

Our Confirmandi have been sending residents at the Victorian little holiday remembrances all year long. St. Valentines Day was the most recent holiday, and the student had sent each resident a handwritten note on a red heart. There were also a few Hersey's Kisses to go along with the notes. My correspondent said they had also made thoughtful gestures at Christmas and other times throughout recent months. The parishioner noted how much everyone appreciated the students. She told me she believed the service project was a success. She was confident the Confirmation students had learned the lesson of the rewards of service to others. She wrote she wished she had received similar instruction when she was young. She felt they would now always understand how even small gestures of caring and concern can make a difference to those going through stressful and difficult times.

There is a small victory for the parish and our Confirmation students, and I know many more small victories are going on in this community. Tell me about them so I can recognize them too. Everyone needs to know the little accomplishments that can be overlooked but greatly impact people's lives. When times are challenging, we need to recognize the tremendous amount of good going on.

Those Confirmation students mentioned in the note received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop da Cunha last Friday evening. They are_____, ___ . It was a wonderful celebration, and there were many proud faces in the congregation. Please keep our Confirmandi and their families in your prayers. Pray that the Holy Spirit poured into their hearts may guide them to develop a loving relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Just a Lenten Thought

I can't say I'm often scandalized, but I was the first Good Friday of my priesthood. I was prepared for the simplicity of my typical day of fasting and abstinence when my pastor suggested that I make a special effort to be in the rectory for lunch. When I came to the table, half a stuffed lobster was at my place. It was prepared by a former parishioner of the pastor who brought it to the rectory every year. I couldn't help but think to myself, "Isn't this just a little contrary to the spirit of the day?" I ate it anyway. I had to be polite.

That incident came back to me after I read an article, "Catholics: Stop eating fancy fish on Fridays during Lent." The author's point was there isn't much sacrifice to eating fish on Friday when it is lobster, encrusted salmon, or scallops. They encouraged considering making the main entrée of a Lenten Friday meal entirely fleshless, neither meat nor fish. They asked readers to make a point of savoring their Friday meal. They suggested a possible Friday sacrifice was to take time listening to fellow diners or thinking about those without a meal or companionship. Giving up meat on the Fridays of Lent isn't the be-all and end-all of Lenten fasting, but making a genuine sacrifice should be.

Lent Now Underway

The beginning of the penitential season of Lent in preparation for Easter is now underway.

Lent has three pillars, fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. This year plan to go beyond just the rules for the season for fasting from food and drink. Fast from whatever you feel obscures your holiness. Give alms not just from your excess but make it a real sacrifice that costs you some of your comforts. Take action to strengthen your prayer life. Consider reading Sacred Scripture to stimulate your prayer. Possibly use journaling, meditation, or another new prayer form this year. Show genuine repentance for your sins by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I'm in the Reconciliation Room at the back of the church every Saturday Afternoon from 3:00-3:45 pm. I'm also available by appointment.

Stations of the Cross, a favorite Lenten prayer devotion, will be recited every Friday at 3 pm. We will use The Ecology Stations of the Cross this week. God has entrusted our planet into our care, and we must treat it gently. Join us for this time of prayer.

To guide your Lenten prayer, take a copy of The Word Among Us or My Daily Lenten Visitor Lent 2022 or both from the table at the back of the church. These booklets include a Gospel Reflection, Prayer, and a suggestion for living for each day of Lent. Take one for yourself and one for a friend. They will help make your Lent more worthwhile in 2022.

Prayer For Peace in Ukraine

"Almighty God, Through Jesus' Divine Name

And the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We Humbly We Humbly Ask For Your Mercy

To Obtain Peace in the Land of Ukraine.

May All the People of That Country,

Especially Children and the Elderly, Remain Safe From Danger.

Please Do Not Let Chaos and War Reign in the Land of Ukraine

But Only a Forever Peace That Comes From You. AMEN

Close your prayer with:

Our Father …

Hail Mary …

New Permanent Diaconate Class Forming

Bishop Da Cunha has authorized the formation of a new Permanent Diaconate to begin in September 2022. Men interested in learning more about the Permanent Diaconate Program are requested to attend an Information Night. They may be attended on Zoom or in person. Applications for the program must be submitted by August 1, 2022. For additional details about the diaconate and to register for an information night, go to their website www.frpermanentdiaconate.com. Email inquiries may also be directed to office@ frpermanentdiaconate.com or by calling the office at (508)-990-0341,