Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey.  When we began Lent last year, we were vaguely aware of this mystery virus that had emerged in China had begun to spread to Northern Italy. We had no idea at that point that a whole year later, so much of our society would still be in lockdown, our churches still closed – that tens of millions of people in the world would be infected, that several million have died.

The French word for Lent, « carême » is taken from the Latin word «quadragesima», which means 40. Through the 40 days of Lent, we are invited to embark on our own “Journey to Resurrection”. The opening prayer of the Ash Wednesday liturgy sets the tone for this intense period of spiritual preparation: “Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As we begin the discipline of Lent by prayer, fasting and almsgiving, make this day holy by our self-denial.”

Lent is a privileged moment to refocus our attention on the essential dimensions of Christian life.  Lent invites us to consider to what extent our daily life is influenced and energized by the power of love, and by the new life that flows from our baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ.

The pandemic has raised in all of us a deeper awareness of our need for conversion, and for a deeper relationship with the Lord.  During Lent, let us journey together as a community, recognizing the vision that Christ offers, and confronting the obstacles which get in the way of our following him more fully and more freely.”  May this drawing closer to our heavenly Father also draw us nearer to all our brothers and sisters throughout the world, that we may see Christ more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly – day by day by 40 days!

Rather than a full Mass, Fr. Raymond will be presenting an Ash Wednesday Liturgy of the Word, with the blessing and imposition of ashes.  It will be available for viewing as of 7:30 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, at the following link:

Fr. Lloyd will be available to impose the blessed ashes, the visible sign of our desire for Lenten renewal, from 10:00-10:30 AM and again from 5:00-5:30 PM on February 17.  As when we receive the Eucharist, please enter by the front door, sanitize your hands, come receive the ashes, and leave by the side door.  This year, ashes will be sprinkled on the head, rather than marked on the forehead.

Please mark Saturday, March 13 in your calendars!  Fr Raymond will be animating a Lenten retreat day on our “Journey to Resurrection” theme.  The retreat, co-sponsored by the OEPS and the Catholic Women’s League, is titled WHEN TOMORROW COMES! WALKING THE JOURNEY FROM DEATH TO RESURRECTION WITH JEAN VALJEAN, and is inspired by the beloved character created by Victor Hugo in Les Miserables!  More details will be forthcoming next week.  

God bless and have a great week!

Fr. Raymond