Dear Parish Family,
 
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." These words, spoken by our Lord, are a great motivation start to our Lenten Season. Lent is a time for spiritual growth, renewal, and conversion. It is a time to root out sinfulness, to come back to God, and to be open to the growth that He wants to bring about in our lives.
 
So how do we enter as fully as possible into this season of growth and renewal? I want to challenge each of us to see this Lent as a time for a “spiritual” workout. We need to exercise our souls!
 
A couple of things to try:

• Firstly: Prayer and Silence each day. This is essential. Communication with our Heavenly Father, through His Son who died for us, and inspired by His Holy Spirit is a gift and a treasure. If we are going to grow we must be in a prayerful relationship with God. If you don’t know where to begin with prayer then start simply. Try saying the Rosary or reflecting on the readings for the day or just telling God about your day: where you are at, what you need, your hopes, needs, and fears. Silence is also a very important part of this process. Silence can be awkward and uncomfortable – that is ok! As you reteach yourself to be in the silent presence of God (and this can mean going through the withdrawal of having our phone or TV on and in front of us at all times) Christ will strengthen our soul and teach us to long for Him in the quiet. Pray through it! No pain no gain!
• Secondly: get to confession! Growth means just that: growth. If we are complacent and content we are not growing. If we think “I don’t need to grow” we are prideful. We all need to grow. We all need to change. We all need to root out sinfulness and to grow in virtue. Big or small God wants to move us this Lent. Reconciliation is key to this movement and growth. We need God’s mercy, His love, and His help to change. Avail yourself of these gifts in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Thirdly: Give something up! Something difficult to give up. You may fall and fail but keep trying. A good example would be to give up all screens for Lent – no phone, TV, computer, etc. (You can use these things for work, to help your children with schoolwork, etc. and not break the fast). Just like when we diet and workout – this is not going to be easy but the results will be awesome! When we mortify ourselves through fasting (be it from food or technology or whatever we give up) we work out and strengthen our soul. We are refocused on God and we become more prepared to fight temptation and to fight spiritual battles.

 
It is my prayer that this Lent is a time of authentic growth and spiritual renewal for each member of our Parish Family. May God continue to watch over and protect us! St. Michael be with us and strengthen us! Blessed Mother give us your faith and perseverance!
 
In Christ,
Fr. DeBlock