Letter from the Pastor
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February 22, 2026
As we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent, we enter the desert with the Lord. So, it is good for us to consider how we will observe the next 40 days. Lent is a season of preparation for the greatest moment in human history: The Resurrection of the Lord. So, it is good for us to think about what prayers and penances we will do during this season of holiness and purging.
We need to be concrete about what we will do. We have all been taught we must give up something during Lent, but we forget the second part of that equation, we need to replace what we have taken away with something beneficial for our immortal souls. Virtue replaces the vice.
We should look at ourselves deeply, ask what the one thing I need to be rid of in my life, that one vice. Most of us think immediately of fasting from alcohol, or sweets, or social media, the better question might be: What struggles have I faced lately? Or what vices can I not seem to let go of? What could I fast from that would directly help me grow in virtue in these areas of struggle? What must I take away that will make me a holier person?
Then replace the time that you spend doing those things with virtuous activities such as works of charity, visiting the sick or volunteering, prayer time or spiritual reading. Attend a daily Mass, pray the Stations of the Cross. There are several retired people in our parish, and even though a good number of people attend daily Mass, and the number of Mass-goers certainly increases during Lent, more can attend Mass one or more days during Lent. Even if you want to sleep in, St. Aedan’s and OLSH have afternoon Masses.
Through the generosity of a young parishioner, who donated the Crux books on the Usher’s tables; it is a daily program for Lent. Fr. Columba Jordan, CFR offers daily reflections and Scripture passages to help you pray, meditate, and surrender yourself to God. You will read through the entirety of the Gospel of Mark, reflecting on your identity as God’s beloved child, and respond through prayer and practical action. Crux helps you unite the physical and spiritual disciplines of fasting, exercise, Scripture reading, and a daily Examen into one transformative Lenten experience that will lead you closer to Christ.
Another spiritual exercise which most people find difficult: just sit for five minutes—ten, if you have the time—every day without doing or thinking anything. Simply be still, listening to the stillness. Don’t think of anything. Just be! God speaks in silence. You may have to get up 15 or 20 minutes earlier than usual, before the kids or spouse awakens and just sit in silence. Other spiritual activities, pray the rosary or attend Exposition, make a daily visit to the Church. There are so many ways in which we can grow in holiness. Don’t let these special days elude you this year. Remember this is a marathon, start out strong and steady the race.
This past Wednesday we began Lent with ashes, to remember who we are, and where we came from and remembering without God’s breath giving us life; we are but dust and ashes. We need God and we need His grace.
Ashes also remind us that one day we shall die. However, given in the context of Lent, ashes remind us that death isn’t the end of the story. The day on which Christ comes to earth again then, we who struggled and fought the good fight and not give up or give in; we shall live forever in His Presence.
Have a Prayerful and Blessed Lent.