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Living within God's LoveLent 2021Furthering the Reign of God,Where All Are Welcome
Dear Madeleine family and friends,Now is the time to leave the shadows of this past year and “livewithin God’s love.” During Advent we reflected on how Godcontinues to release his love upon us. As we journey throughthese forty days of Lent, we will be using a “fast and feast”theme to help us examine our lives and make improvements sowe can live better “within God’s love.”Once again, we have a wonderful variety of believers who havecontributed to this booklet. They range in age from 8 to over90. A special thank you to Therese Fenzl for coaching the nineMadeleine students whose words of wisdom you will find onthese pages.The Sunday meditations are meant to be shared with two ormore people. The daily readings can be shared or read inprivate.Thank you to all of you who participated in this project: thewriters who shared their faith, those who worked behind thescenes editing and publishing, Hugh Hammons, whose artisticand creative talents bring our theme to life, and of course ourwonderful shepherd, Fr. Mike, whose encouragement andsupport make this project possible.We are loved by an amazing God. May you live well “withinhis love” this Lent.Marilyn Robb
Ash Wednesday, February 17Fast from past mistakes.Feast on moving forward.Six weeks ago, January 6, the traditional Epiphany date, we had a national epiphany. Whether deeply distressed, or damned angry, we cannotdeny or detach ourselves from that ugly revelation of us, the USA in 2021.What is expected of us as “ambassadors of Christ”? (2 Cor. 5:20) Whatcan we do? What words can we speak? “The bruised reed he will notbreak, a smoldering wick he will not extinguish.” (Is. 42:3) Ambassadorsaddress differences with a desire for understanding and healing, workingto reconcile differences, not change opinions.Today calls us to be ambassadors for Christ moving toward a new Easterepiphany.—Joan Spiering, RGSThursday, February 18Fast from discontent.Feast on change.Dollie Galter was over 90 when I last spoke to her. One night after dinnerI asked her, “Mrs. G, what’s the secret to a happy life?” Without pausing for a second, she responded, “Embrace change, Michael, embracechange.” She didn’t say “be open to change” – rather, she recommendedthat I seek change and pull it toward me. Mrs. G’s husband had advanceddementia and her daughter struggled with depression. She cared for bothand still, late in her life, she welcomed everyone who arrived and lovedso many, including me. Angels are just like that.—Deacon Mike O’Mahoney2Week after Ash Wednesday
Friday, February 19Fast from discouragement.Feast on hope.I am not a 7th Grader who feels discouraged a lot. But the pandemic andall the changes it has created in our lives has made me feel distressed attimes. I don’t like the limitations it has placed on us. Hope rises when Ireach out to others in love and care.Jesus, help us to find hope as we share love.—Cate Connelly, 7th Grader, The Madeleine SchoolSaturday, February 20Fast from sadness.Feast on goodness.Goodness is God’s way and God’s truth. However, sadness is okay too,but I do not think God wants us to get stuck in sadness. I have experienced sadness when I could not be with my friends in the way I wanted tobe. I have tried to take advantage of different ways to connect and thankGod for the friends I have. I have prayed for them and been hopeful thatthis pandemic is not forever.Jesus, help me to walk in goodness and truth.—Siena Samuelson, 6th Grader, The Madeleine SchoolWeek after Ash Wednesday 3
February 21 First Sunday In LentFast from temptation.Feast on believing.IntroductionOnce again the season of Lent begins, and once again we accompanyJesus into the desert-wilderness for forty days of testing by Satan. Thisgives us the opportunity to think about the nagging temptations that arekeeping us from living a rich and full life “within God’s love.” Can wefast from temptation and feast on believing?Satan has been hanging out with me more this year than in any othertime of my life. He has been quick to remind me of everything I am missing. He makes it a point to assure me that joyous worship with fellowbelievers, smiles, hugs, generosity and precious peace are all things ofthe past. They will never return. He has led me through the lonely darkshadows of each day. He raises my fears and doubts. He opens my eyesto storm clouds and blinds my vision of sunsets and daffodils sneakingout of the cold, wet soil.Yes, in the desert-wilderness of the past year he has been my constantcompanion. But his presence has only caused me to spend more time inprayer and to build a deeper and more lasting relationship with my God,a God who is always willing to accept us in his warm and loving embrace.Share: What temptations have annoyed you this year?†† Scripture: Mark 1:12-15Share: What did Jesus mean by the statement: “This is the time offulfillment”?4First Sunday of Lent
CommentaryMark does not tell us much about this period in Jesus’ life. He tells ussimply that Jesus, like us, was capable of being tempted. For forty dayshe is surrounded by wild animals and in the company of Satan. But he isnever left alone. God sends angels to be with him and care for him. Thisexperience strengthens him and prepares him to proceed with confidenceinto his ministry and fulfill his Father’s plan.Share: How has struggling through times of darkness and temptationstrengthened you?ReflectionThe same Spirit that drove Jesus into the desert-wilderness drives us intoour own desert-wilderness to be tempted. As we strive to live “withinGod’s love” this Lent, let us turn our hearts away from the attitudes andbehaviors that mire our lives in selfishness, unhappiness, and disappointment. We are not being asked to do this by ourselves. God’s Spirit liveswithin us and will help us to fast from temptation and feast on a strongerand deeper relationship with God our Father.Share: What are some of the ways God strengthens you?PrayerBe near us Lord in times of temptation and draw us ever closer to you.Amen.First Sunday of Lent 5
“.a way to describe selfpity is giving in to feelings ofdiscouragement”
Monday, February 22Fast from judging.Feast on tolerance.I am impressed by Immaculee Ilibagiza who survived the Rwandan genocide in 1990. She could hear the voices of the enemies who had killed herfamily. They were searching for her as she hid with seven other womenin a small bathroom. Daily, for three months, she prayed the Rosaryand recited the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. God heard her prayers andeventually she was able to forgive her enemies.She sets a good example for us as we attempt to live within God’s lovethis Lent. Lord, guide us to judge less and be more tolerant of the peopleyou place in our lives. Amen.—Mary Kay DebenedettiTuesday, February 23Fast from anxiety.Feast on living now.Anxiety and I are old friends. I feel secure when I can focus on terriblethings that may lie ahead or extinguish fires that haven’t yet been ignited.But anxiety is a thief that robs me of this present moment and separatesme from God. Instead, why not feast on today’s riches? For me, thoseriches are the love of my family and friends, the beauty of God’s creationso visible in my pets and the nearby pond. Even the nighttime trip tothe backyard with the dog where I can look up and see the constellationOrion encourages me to live for the now, a now that assures me of God’sconstant presence.—JoAnn KloozFirst Week of Lent 7
Wednesday, February 24Fast from gossip.Feast on truth.Words are powerful. Words can heal and words can destroy. “If youcan’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything,” my fatherwould say. Our baptismal challenge is to share only Good News aboutpeople, and there truly is abundant “good truth” to spread around. Iwant to think and listen, read and pray so I have something life-giving totalk about. How much more Christ-like our lives would be if we walkedaway from gossip, and spoke only the good we know about everyone.After such a Lenten penance, we would have that precious habit in ourhearts. What a good thing that would be!— Fr. John McGrannThursday, February 25Fast from self-pity.Feast on thankfulness.To me, a way to describe self-pity is giving in to feelings of discouragement. It is feeling overwhelmed by too much homework without enoughtime for other things that are important to me. When I read the wordsof Jesus from Matthew’s gospel, I remember I have a helper always withme. I thank God for the good school of The Madeleine, my wonderfulteachers, and how homework helps me to learn new things and preparefor the future.Jesus, help me to not forget that you are always with me to help me.—Annalise Woicke, 8th Grader, The Madeleine School8First Week of Lent
Friday, February 26Fast from pride.Feast on humility.Fasting from pride to grow in humility would be an excellent Lentenpenance. But my pride is all over the place—where do I begin? I foundan answer in “Consecration to St. Joseph,” written by Father DonaldCalloway. He calls Joseph’s silence and humility “the foundation of hisgreatness.” Wow. St. Joseph’s silence made me think of times when pridepushes me to interrupt someone to make my demanding point. WithJoseph’s help, I will fast from breaking my silence until a speaker is finished. I will examine my conscience on this at the end of every Lenten day.—David HendricksonSaturday, February 27Fast from seeing differences.Feast on unity.This Lenten season would be a good time in our divided country to putpolitical and racial divisions aside to fast and pray for unity in Christ.Let’s fast and pray that we can see all people through Christ’s eyes. Godhas created all of us to love one another, no matter what our politicalbeliefs are. Loving one another can only help us all to become the bestversion of ourselves!—Ken and Leann VerhaalenFirst Week of Lent 9
February 28 Second Sunday In LentFast from doubt.Feast on understanding.IntroductionHow do you look back and remember the important events in your life?Do you sometimes look back and doubt that they ever happened? As anadult, I write about them in my journal. As a child, I needed somethingtangible that I could see and touch to keep treasured memories alive.My family did not do much traveling when I was growing up. Ourtrips out of town were usually overnight visits to the homes of auntsand uncles. As simple as these trips were, to me they were a memorableevent. So, I began collecting felt pennants with the names of the townswe passed through or visited. I tacked them up on my bedroom wall toremind me of the places we had been, the families we had visited and thegood times we had shared.Peter, James and John were amazed and impressed with what they had experienced on the mountain with Jesus. They had seen the Old Testamenthero Moses, and the famous prophet Elijah. They needed some kind ofvisible proof that this had really happened. So, they decided to constructthree tents as a memorial to the event.Share: How do you remember the special events in your life?†† Scripture: Mark 9:2-10Share: Do you think Jesus knew what was going to happen when he invited Peter, James and John to accompany him up the mountain?10Second Sunday of Lent
CommentaryJesus invites Peter, James and John to accompany him on a walk up themountain. They probably thought nothing about it until they reachedtheir destination and found themselves in the presence of Moses andElijah. Then they witness Jesus having a private conversation with hisFather. Did the whole experience seem surreal? If it were the 21st century,they could have recorded the whole event on their cell phones and sentit to the disciples waiting down below. But the best they could do wassuggest they construct three tents to memorialize the event.Share: What event in your life would you like to memorialize?ReflectionAs you contemplate “living within God’s love” this Lent, are you opento God’s invitation to accompany him on a walk? There is a risk we takewhen we say “yes” to one of God’s invitations. Only God knows thedestination and how it might change us. We have no need to doubt hisplans for us. We are only asked to follow with understanding and trust.Share: When have you felt God was leading you?PrayerMay we always be willing accept the invitation to follow you whereveryou lead us. Amen.Second Sunday of Lent 11
“Faith is like a tandem bike ridewith Jesus.”
Monday, March 1Fast from pessimism.Feast on optimism.Feeling pessimistic can mean being in a sad space. It does not feel good.A few months ago, I felt pessimistic about the possibility that my whole7th Grade year might be distance learning. Optimism has grown withinme now. There is hope we might be back in the classroom in February.When Jesus asks us to be merciful, it reminds me that being optimisticcan help another person remember God’s mercy. It is filled with loveand care for us.Jesus, may your mercy lead us to optimism.—Faye Doherty,7th Grader, The Madeleine SchoolTuesday, March 2Fast from complaining.Feast on appreciation.It is so easy to complain when something doesn’t go the way I thinkit should. When others disagree with me, I feel like complaining andwalking away from them. I am tired of this distance learning and feellike complaining about that sometimes. But then I remember so manypeople and things I appreciate: my family, my dog Penny, my friends.This helps me to remember to not complain.Jesus, help me to remember all your gifts and feast on appreciating them.—Charlotte Smith,3rd Grader, The Madeleine SchoolSecond Week of Lent 13
Wednesday, March 3Fast from talking.Feast on listening.As a 6th Grader, I know it is important to listen as well as talk. I tryto remember that when my parents are giving me advice and when myteachers are giving me directions. When Jesus talks about our need toserve, I think listening can be a way of serving. If someone has a problem,I try to be a good listener and then help them find a solution.Jesus, help us to be willing to fast from talking when someone needs usto listen.—Charles Cooper,6th Grader, The Madeleine SchoolThursday, March 4Fast from being in charge.Feast on letting go.Faith is like a tandem bike ride with Jesus. One day I noticed that Jesuswas in the back helping me pedal and Jesus suggested we change places! Ifelt worried and anxious. Whenever I’d say, “I’m scared,” he would leanback and touch my hand. Trust is hard, but he knows bike secrets. Heknows how to take sharp corners and fly to shorten scary passageways.I am learning to pedal in strange places, and when I’m sure I can’t go on,he just smiles and says. “Pedal!” (Adapted from “Cycling with God”author unknown).Today I will let go of control and trust Jesus to be in front of my tandembike.—Sr. Carmel Irving14Second Week of Lent
Friday, March 5Fast from loneliness.Feast on communication.In this year of COVID-19. there are many people that would love to fastfrom loneliness, but how? I find comfort in knowing that God loves allof us, and he has a plan. Maybe his plan is that we become aware of allthat we have taken for granted: family gatherings, weddings, funerals,warm hugs, seeing smiles. This pandemic shall pass. Will we be betterpeople because of it?Phone calls, emails and hand-written notes are delightful reminders ofbeing connected with those we love. You can be that delight! Reach out,show your love to others. Remind them by your actions and words ofGod’s never-ending love for each of us.—Tuni GarriguesSaturday, March 6Fast from being rigid.Feast on being flexible.The year 2020 taught us that plans change. The pandemic forced us tocancel vacations, adapt to remote work, navigate distance learning, andthe list goes on. Flexibility was, and remains, critical.Christ’s passion was the Apostles’ pandemic. They fully intended to staywith Jesus. One fateful night in the garden upended their lives.Everything happens for a reason. That unthinkable evening 2000 yearsago led to a spiritual awakening. We can’t yet envision life beyondCOVID-19. But much like the Spirit led the Apostles, it will guide us inour own uncertain journey as long as we remain flexible and open toGod’s love.—Jonas AllenSecond Week of Lent 15
March 7 Third Sunday In LentFast from former sins.Feast on forgiveness.IntroductionAs we find ourselves immersed in this season of Lent and attempting to“live within God’s love,” we are challenged this week to do some seriouscleaning, not only physical cleaning but also spiritual cleaning.I remember that day in March last year when everything came to astandstill. We were asked to stay home for two weeks to stop the spreadof COVID-19. Once those two weeks were over everything would return to normal. My daughter and I decided to use those two weeks todo some major cleaning of our homes. We each made a list of drawers,cupboards, and closets that needed to be cleaned out and organized. Lateeach afternoon we would call each other and report on our progress. Weboth were making great headway when rumors began to circulate thatthis time of quarantine was going to last longer than two weeks. At thispoint our enthusiasm and zeal for our cleaning project died.In Sunday’s gospel, Jesus decides it is time to do some major cleaning atthe temple in Jerusalem.Share: What causes you to finally attack a major cleaning project thathas been annoying you for a long time?†† Scripture: John 2:13-25Share: When can anger be put to good use?16Third Sunday of Lent
CommentaryJesus seldom shows his anger, but in today’s gospel reading—which allfour synoptic writers record‚ he lets his full humanity take over. He seeshis holy temple in Jerusalem as a thriving, evil marketplace. It is inhabited by greedy vendors, smelly animals and thieving money changers. Heis overcome with zeal for this place of worship and wants it back andrestored to its original purpose.Share: What worldly distractions interrupt your time of worship?ReflectionIn 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul has a reminder for us: “Don’t you knowthat you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells inyou?” As we strive to “live within God’s love” this Lent, perhaps it istime to do some spiritual cleaning. What dusty old past sins need to beacknowledged, brought forward and offered to God for forgiveness?As Jesus cleansed the temple, God is willing and waiting to take awaythe sins that clutter our lives and keep us from living freely in his love.Share: What changes have you experienced after your sins were forgiven?PrayerCreate in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.Amen.Third Sunday of Lent 17
“If the true worth and value of aperson lies beneath the surface, thendon't we owe it to each other toopen our hearts and see ourselvesand each other as God does?”
Monday, March 8Fast from helplessness.Feast on taking action.Great thinkers in the Church are doers, people of action. Jesus gave usthe idea of the “Kingdom (or reign) of God,” and Augustine developedthe “City of God.” Francis of Assisi when he heard the words “Build myChurch,” thought at first of reforming the Church, but later understoodthese words to mean rebuild the humble little church in which he oftenprayed. For each of them, prayer led to action and building somethingbeyond them.As these people understood, our positive actions connect us with Godand this universe which God is constantly creating. With God, our actions are building something greater than ourselves.—Fr. Jack MosbruckerTuesday, March 9Fast from the negative.Feast on the positive.Looking on the positive while fasting from the negative is a wonderfulproposal for this Lent. God has blessed each human being with manythings, but people in general tend to focus more on the negative ratherthan the positive. Studies show that all negative emotions have immediatenegative effects on our body and mind. On the other hand, the positiveemotions lead one to peace and happiness. Remember the law of attraction – if the person thinks positively, they attract more positive events intotheir life. That is why Jesus advises: “Do not worry about your life. Lookat the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns.” (Matthew6:26) Hence, let us feast on the positive and fast from the negative.—Fr. Amal RayappanThird Week of Lent 19
Wednesday, March 10Fast from failure.Feast on success.It is not hard for me to fast from failure. I like to write and draw, butsometimes I feel blocked. I do not give up, but try to get creative and findanother idea. Then instead of failing, I have something I didn’t expect.That is a way God helps me. I praise God because I know God has helpedme. Why don’t you try it?Jesus, help us not to give up when we think we might fail. Help us to remember that you help us to succeed and want us to feast on our successes.—Madelyne Pepple,3rd Grader, The Madeleine SchoolThursday, March 11Fast from being serious.Feast on good humor.No one ever had a more serious task on earth than Jesus, who came tosave us by teaching us about love, God, and how to live. Yet he had a lotof friends who followed him day and night. I cannot imagine that theydid not have a lot of fun, a lot of laughs. Sometimes we take ourselvesvery seriously. I think Jesus would like us to lighten up and enjoy life andeach other, including not taking ourselves too seriously. “The genius ofGod is evident in laughter its benefits are endless.” (Mathew Kelly, IHeard God Laugh, p.89)—Sr. Cathie Boerboom20Third Week of Lent
Friday, March 12Fast from words that hurt.Feast on praise.“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”I do not agree with that statement. Bones heal, but words once spokenlive on. I have spoken words I wish I could stuff back into my mouth.While forgiven, they are seldom forgotten. James advises us to be quick tohear but slow to speak (1:19). He calls the tongue a “restless evil,” usedto bless the Lord and curse the one made in his image. I am ashamed. Ipraise God and pray for wisdom.God is not done with me yet!—Gay MeslovichSaturday, March 13Fast from making enemies.Feast on making friends.Abraham Lincoln said, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make themmy friends?” This is a challenging statement, and arguably one of themost difficult things for human beings to achieve. Luke 6:27-28 also asksus to look upon our enemies in a different way. “But I say to you whohear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those whocurse you, pray for those who abuse you.”This notion seems a lot more complicated now, in a world where civildisagreement often appears out of reach. In a time when political partiesdefine friendships, and our nation is fractured by fear and suspicion.These obstacles, however, can also serve as an opportunity for each ofus during Lent. To make the love of Jesus real to our enemies as we fastfrom making enemies and feast on making friends.—Carol GlasgowThird Week of Lent 21
March 14 Fourth Sunday In Lent 2021Fast from blindness.Feast on the lightof Christ.This year for Christmas, my granddaughter gave me a copy of what shehopes will be her first published novel. She is 28 years old and has beenworking on this novel for twenty years. The gift was a big surprise. Ialways knew she wanted to be an author. Even in grade school her homework would go unfinished because she had a plot in her head that shehad to get down on paper. She lives in a studio apartment with her littlethree-legged dog and supports herself by making pizza at Dominos. Whenshe is not working or walking her dog, she is writing. As I began to readthe first pages of her novel, I was impressed and amazed to discover theworld that lived within her imagination. Was this the granddaughter Ihad watched grow up and thought I knew?How many times are we blinded from seeing the real identity of someoneclose to us? How often do we let the words of others describe someonewe do not even know?In Sunday’s gospel, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, decides to put aside the description of Jesus he is hearing from his fellow Pharisees and meets Jesusface to face.Share: How did your opinion of someone change once you got to knowthem?†† Scripture: John 3:14-21Share: How would you describe this meeting between Jesus andNicodemus?22Fourth Sunday of Lent
CommentaryWhat an intimate and revealing encounter this was between Jesus andNicodemus. They came together totally open to each other. Nicodemushad arranged for them to meet secretly in the dark of the night so asnot to cause unwanted attention. It is Jesus who brings light into thisdarkness by revealing that he is God’s one and only Son sent into a worldof darkness and condemnation to bring light and love to everyone whobelieves in him.Share: How does God bring light into the dark times of your life?ReflectionGod’s Son comes as a light to enable humankind to realize the great loveand mercy of God. We meet God, the loving parent, the compassionate physician and the good and wise friend in the person of Jesus. It isthrough Jesus that we discover our identity as children of God. Duringthese days of Lent as we strive to “live within God’s love,” we are encouraged to recognize our inheritance as children of God and believe inthe gift of his Son who came to save us and give us eternal life.Share: Do you ever find it difficult to believe in God’s Son?PrayerLord, I believe. Help my unbelief.Fourth Sunday of Lent 23
“To make the love of Jesusreal to our enemies as we fastfrom making enemies and feast onmaking friends.”
Monday, March 15Fast from illness.Feast on God’s healing power.This theme reminds me how blessed I have been with having good healthmost of my life. However, I had the experience of living with a chronicillness for three years. In its midst, I recognized God’s presence with methrough the encouragement, support, and care of so many people in mylife. In the midst of illness, we can feast on healing as we open to the helpGod wants to give us through others.Jesus, open us to the help you send our way.—Therese FenzlTuesday, March 16Fast from hostility.Feast on kindness.I think especially in today’s climate of political vitriol it is important forus to consider our place in the world as Christians. How can we followthe teachings of Christ and implement them in our daily lives? Insteadof engaging in futile arguments, let us instead use our time to make apositive contribution to God’s creation. Be that volunteering or otherwise helping a charity, or even just sending someone a positive message.You never know who could use a little extra support. Now is the timeto spread God’s love.—Olivia Farnsworth,RCIAFourth Week of Lent 25
Wednesday, March 17Fast from tearing down.Feast on building up.We know that a positive attitude is important. So why do negativethoughts and emotions arise so easily? Why am I quick to criticize, butoften unwilling to do the important work of affirming the good in others?What would happen if I chose to refrain from reacting to the qualitiesthat I dislike in others, and instead affirmed the goodness I see in eachperson? Negativity is often the path of least resistance. But I think thatGod’s way requires us to work a little harder. This Lent, perhaps we canfast from tearing down and feast on building up.—Angel Robertsson-SoperThursday, March 18Fast from possessions.Feast on simplicity.Trying to decide what to pack for hiking the Camino de Santiago wasa challenge. One day my Kindle and journal were in, and the next daythey were out.While my pack weighed a mere 18 pounds the first day, it became evenlighter in days to come as I jettisoned superfluous items. I never missedthe extra t-shirts. Clean, dry socks brought great joy. My journal filledand then I bought another! I tenderly tucked my Kindle under my pillowbefore drifting off to sleep each night.From the abundance in my life, I am most grateful for the gift of options.—Christi Bohmbach26Fourth Week of Lent
Friday, March 19Fast from being stubborn.Feast on being open.We must often frustrate our God as we cling to our own ideas for our livesand refuse to talk to him in prayer to understand his much better planfor us! How many of us are like Jonah, who even when we understandwhat God is asking of us, run the other way? Yet, how many of us alsoknow the peace of walking with God as he leads us in ways we neverimagined? As for me, when I stubbornly want to go my way, it is then Iremember the grace of being open to God’s way. Which do you choose?—Donna Mary MasonSaturday, March 20Fast from focusing inward.Feast on hospitality.Today is the Vernal Equinox when daylight surpasses darkness in the racetowards summer solstice. From now until June 20th, each day enjoysjust over two minutes of additional sunlight, roughly the time it takesto microwave a bowl of soup. Seemingly insubstantial, day by day thehospitable gathering of light transforms the world: greening wheat, unfurling leaves and sending bees humming among blossoms and blooms.God’s light dwells in you and me. For us, every day is a Vernal Equinox,a chance to collectively exercise our hospitality of light, to rejuvenate agreen and healthy world, and feast on the goodness of creation.—Daniel O’BrienFourth Week of Lent 27
March 21 Fifth Sunday In LentFast from death.Feast on eternal lifeIntroductionWe would probably all agree that we have been experiencing a kindof death for the last twelve months as we met the challenges of livingthrough a year of COVID-19. It is hard to believe that the last time wewere together as a parish to celebrate and have fun was at Mardi Gras lastFebruary 25. Then the doors closed and only opened for those maskedbelievers who sneak in for weekend Mass or during a weekday schoolMass. We have buried or set aside so many things in our lives that bringus pleasure and joy. We watch life unfold, remotely on a TV screen. Wecommunicate with frie
God’s love” this Lent, let us turn our hearts away from the attitudes and behaviors that mire our lives in selfishness, unhappiness, and disappoint - ment. We are not being asked to do this by ourselves. God’s Spirit lives within us and will help us to fast from temptation and feast o
