Welcome to Lent! This February 14th is Ash Wednesday, the day on which Lent commences. In the Catechism we read Lent “is the liturgical season of forty days which begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer.”
On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes as a reminder of our death and a sign of internal repentance. What is repentance? This message proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles urges us to change the direction of our lives, to adopt a new way of thinking and acting, to turn away from sin and embrace the discipleship of Jesus Christ. The Greek word “metanoia” means to change your mind and the Hebrew counterpart means to return. So on Ash Wednesday, when I say “remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” or “repent and believe in the Gospel” (basically the words echoing the first public words of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark) you will recall the above. Lent is a season to follow Christ more closely, deepen our relationship and leave sin behind, so we will inherit a share in the Resurrection.
If you have been away for months, years or decades, please come back. You are always welcome here. We are offering a Combined Parish Reconciliation Evening at Borgia on Sunday, March 10th from 7:00- 8:00 pm, and you can always schedule the reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation with any priest. In addition, there will be an opportunity for Reconciliation after the 7:00 am Masses on Sundays during Lent and on the Monday during Holy Week from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
If you have missed a Sunday Mass without a serious reason, know that God’s mercy and forgiveness awaits you in the sacrament of Reconciliation. This needs to happen before receiving the Holy Eucharist. Know that God’s love and mercy are always available to you! As a reminder, the regular times of opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation and our current Mass schedule are listed on the bulletin cover. We also have exposition of the Eucharist on Tuesdays from 7:30 am through 6:15 pm.
If there is anything either of the priests here can help you with, please call the parish office at 636-239-6701.