Father Maassen's Message - 03/10/2024 - Saint Francis Borgia

Dear Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ,

We have just begun the wonderful opportunity for joy, spiritual health, and holiness we call Lent. I compare Lent to Catholic camp. As we have baseball, basketball, and soccer camps to help us become better players. Lent - through penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - helps us be the joyful, loving people that God created. Lent helps us to be the best Catholics, hence the best people we can be. Below I’ve thrown out some suggestions for Lent. There are great opportunities to have a personal encounter with Christ, especially in the Sacraments.

· Sacrament of Reconciliation
· Weekday Mass
· Eucharistic Adoration: changes lives for the better
· Daily Private Prayer: even if just for a few minutes, set a time to pray. Come to church and pray! In your prayer, imagine a conversation with the Lord; hear Him tell you, “He loves you, and you are loved.”
· Rent a religious movie: watch it as a family
· Pray together as a family: children often like petitionary prayer (i.e., praying for someone)
· Have nightly family dinners: engage in God and faith talk or read a biblical story to your children.
· Fast: from raising your voice, being critical, yelling, sarcasm, condescension, television

Last, and certainly not least, try the new craze to help you lose weight, become healthy, be happier than ever, significantly improve all your relationships, and grow your hair. Well, maybe… but indeed, help you be open to the transforming grace and love of Jesus Christ.

What is one thing that you can do this Lent?

Peace,
Fr. Maassen