Lent is often one of the busiest times of the Church year. There are increased devotional opportunities, fish fry dinners, and a greater emphasis on charitable giving. These are all good things. Pope Francis reminds us though that Lent is also a time to slow down for deeper reflection and silent prayer. The Holy Father writes, “[Lent} is a time to act, and in Lent to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer in order to receive the word of God… to pause in the presence of God beside the flesh of our neighbor. For this reason, prayer, almsgiving and fasting are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness and self-emptying, in which we cast out the idols that weight us down…” (Pope Francis, Message for Lent 2024) Ash Wednesday, which begins this coming Wednesday March 5, commences a time for us to grow in our love for Christ and his people. During Lent, we are given a gift of 40 days to reflect on how we can truly focus on Christ and eliminate what keeps us from Him. Hopefully, you have all received in the mail a Lenten flyer detailing our parish offerings for Lent. I hope that through these times for prayer, worship, community, and service we can all grow in our desire to see Christ in our midst as we pause and remember his great love for us. 

Shroud of Turin Presentation: This weekend, Resurrection Parish will offer a presentation on the Shroud of Turin, entitled Shroud Encounter with an international expert on the Shroud, Mr. Russ Breault. The Shroud of Turin has been considered for centuries to be the burial cloth of Jesus. This 90-minute presentation featuring images of the cloth will reflect upon the Shroud, its historicity and its significance to people of faith. The presentation will be offered immediately following the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, March 1 and after the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday March 2 at St. Thomas More. Both presentations will be in the Church; there is no cost. We hope to see you for this dynamic and interesting presentation. 

Ash Wednesday: This Wednesday we will begin the Lenten journey with the distribution of ashes. Mass will be celebrated as usual at St. John Capistran at 8:30 a.m. and at St. Thomas More at 11:30 a.m. with ashes distributed during each liturgy. There are also Liturgy of the Word services with the distribution of ashes at St. John Capistran at 5:00 p.m. and St. Thomas More at 7:00 p.m. Although it is not a day of obligation, Ash Wednesday allows us to start this season of penance and discipline with the reminder of our need for conversion and trust in God.

God Bless and Keep You, 
Fr. Mike