I feel as if the Christmas decorations have just come down, yet, here we are on the doorstep of Lent and celebrating Ash Wednesday.

I want to personally invite each of you to come to mass on Wednesday, February 17, and begin Lent with the reception of ashes. There will be a mass at 8am and another at 7pm on Ash Wednesday. Start the Lenten season with a spirit of hope and repentance by receiving ashes and dedicating yourself to a Good and Holy Lent!

Receiving ashes is a good start, but there is so much more you can do. Some of the other spiritual activities at St. Joseph to consider for Lent are Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7pm, confessions at the appointed times, and attending the additional Lenten Monday Evening Masses at 6:30pm.

Lent brings much to those who seize upon the opportunities to grow your spirit, refresh your soul, and stay on the “straight and narrow.“ This is your chance to turn away from the darkness imposed upon all of us recently and reach out once again to touch the true light of our lives.

May your Lenten journey be a tremendous blessing to you. Let us pray for each other, dedicate each other to the Lord, and trust our families to the paternal care of St. Joseph, and, after 40 days, be ready to celebrate the central act of our faith, the resurrection on Easter weekend. God bless you!