Dear Friends,

This Holy season of Lent is a great opportunity to increase our holiness and trust in God. As Lent begins, the Lenten call to prayer, penance, and fasting remains the best way to deepen our faith, grow in holiness, and be at one with God – ever thankful for the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This call remains as valid today as it was two years ago, or 2,000 years ago when Jesus called for the same repentance and conversion. Lent is a fine time to build up our families and the Church. Even the Blessed Mother, as she appears around the world, reminds us to fast, pray and repent. Her words are but an echo of God's continuous love for us. During Lent we humble ourselves before Him and push away pride and arrogance. This intimacy which God seeks from us is achieved through regular, daily prayer. Only by talking with God can we ever hope to know him or his deep love for us.

As it is with prayer, fasting and penance also add to our edification in Christ. If we want strong families, we must fast and pray for them. If we want strong churches, we must heal that which would divide. If we are to have true peace in the world, then we must pray, fast, and do penance. For by bringing peace to our own hearts first, only then will peace in the world be realized.

We have all sinned and need God's forgiveness – so go to confession. No excuses, no attitudes – just go. If there is a particularly bad habit or sin you seem to repeat often, apply fasting to it. Fast to overcome a bad habit or sin. Give something up, eat less, but remember to apply your intention to a specific need (a habit or sin to overcome). Finally, don't forget to pray - for your family, your priests, the Church, our schools, our neighbors, our country, the world. True humility focuses on the other. This humility is best practiced in prayer.

May this Lenten season bring you closer to Christ. May Easter be a true day of great peace achieved only after completing the struggle to be more holy.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor M. Heinz