“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The forty days of Lent are a sacred season of prayer, penance, and renewal. During this time, the Church invites us to grow deeper in our love for God and in generous service to one another. As we fix our eyes on the Cross of Christ, we are reminded that through His suffering and death we are led to the glory of new life.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Thursday. While repentance is an important element of this season, the heart of Lent is the mystery of our redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, is the center of all our Lenten efforts. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are essential spiritual practices, but they are not ends in themselves. Rather, they are ways for us to respond more fully to the mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Everything we undertake during Lent should draw us closer to Jesus, who suffered and died for our sins.
Please remember that Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence (no meat) for Catholics aged 14 and older. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, fasting is also required for those between the ages of 18 and 59. Fasting means one full meal per day, with two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal, and no food between meals (liquids are permitted).
I warmly invite you to join us in prayer throughout Lent. The Stations of the Cross are celebrated each Friday at 4:30 PM at Sacred Heart Church. On Tuesday, March 24th, we will pray the Outdoor Way of the Cross, walking from Christ the King Church to Sacred Heart Church at 6:00 PM, followed by soup, salad, and bread in the Sacred Heart auditorium. In case of inclement weather, we will gather at Sacred Heart Church at 6:00 PM.
For our Polish-speaking parishioners, Stations of the Cross in Polish are held on Fridays at 6:30 PM, and the Gorzkie Żale devotion takes place on Sundays at 5:00 PM.
To help us enter more deeply into Christ’s Passion, we will sing the Lenten Lamentations during Adoration every Saturday at 4:30 PM. They will also be sung on Sundays at 8:40 AM before Mass. I encourage you to join in this beautiful prayer as we contemplate Christ’s love for each of us.
The Polish Lenten Retreat will take place from March 1st to 4th and will be preached by Fr. Przemysław Ilski, CSsR. Our Parish Lenten Retreat in English will begin on Saturday evening, March 7th, and continue through Tuesday, March 10th. The retreat will be preached by Fr. John Olenik, CSsR. A parish retreat is a grace-filled opportunity to renew the very foundation of our faith and to strengthen our hope. Take this time to deepen your relationship with the Lord and approach the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to receive God’s mercy.
Let us pray that the Lord will look favorably upon our prayers, sacrifices, and works of charity, and that He will abundantly bless our parish throughout this holy season.
Wishing you a truly blessed and fruitful Lent.
With prayers for God’s abundant blessings,
F.Stan
