Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Ash Wednesday and Lent
The beautiful penitential season of Lent begins this Wednesday.  Take these last few days of preparation to discern well how you can open your heart to more graces through the practices of this holy season.  Remember the focus of our penances is to help us prioritize rightly service of God and neighbor.  The discipline trains us so we can love better.  This can be a time also of reparation as well as reconciliation with God and others.  It is like a six-week long retreat for the whole church. 
Ash Wednesday schedule:
7am - Distribution of Blessed Ashes (Mass is NOT celebrated). 
8:30am - Mass in Ordinary Form with the distribution of Blessed Ashes.
6pm - Mass in the Extraordinary Form with the distribution of Blessed Ashes before Mass

Prayer for Continuation of Extraordinary Form
Over the past months, as our bishop and we try to process the confusing restrictions regarding the ancient liturgy, I have received requests to offer public opportunities for people to pray.  After reflection I have decided to offer a series of holy hours on the Mondays of Lent. I encourage everyone to participate since more prayer is always a good thing.  Even if one does not attend the EF Mass, there are many people who have entered into the life of our parish through this form of the Mass. Its fate will have a direct impact on how we all move forward as a parish. Each Holy Hour will begin at 6pm and conclude with Solemn Benediction. 

March 7  -  For the pope and the universal church
March 14 - For the bishop and local diocese
March 21 - Parish of St. Paul
March 28 - Unity in the Church
April    4  - Deeper Reverence in the Liturgy

New Process for Distribution of Holy Communion
I would like to simply try something for Lent.  Again, this is a trial period.  As people come to receive Communion, I notice that sometimes people seemed rushed, not because of an inattentive disposition, but simply the practical matter of going up in a line. There is a person in front and behind which naturally “pushes one through the motions.”  Some people prefer to kneel as well.  This too can feel a little rushed. Also, there are some who find it difficult physically to walk and receive unhurried (perhaps having a cane or walker or carrying a child). Receiving Holy Communion is a privileged encounter with the Lord so we want to make sure people can be prepared and comfortable.  A possible solution to this is to use an altar rail.  We do this at the Thursday 11:30 Mass, and I think works pretty well.  With this option the priest does most of the moving.  This allows a communicant to come unhurried, receive communion, and even say a small prayer before returning to the pew.  Everything else is the same.  People may of course receive standing or kneeling. They may receive on the tongue or in the hand.  The priest will of course still come to those who are infirm sitting in the back pew. Ushers will help direct the “traffic,” but I think it is worth a try.  And not that this should matter at all, but this option may also be more “gracefully efficient,” by which I mean quicker.  But this could allow for even more time of silent reflection after Communion, which is not a bad thing.   

Synod on Synodality: Communion, Participation, Mission
Our listening sessions are approaching. My bulletin columns over the past month go into greater detail and explanation about the purpose and process we are using.  You can access those columns from our website.  All sessions will be held in the PAC.
Listening Session Dates:
Saturday March 5      10-11:30am
Monday March  7       6-7:30pm
Tuesday March 8       2-3:30pm
Thursday March 10   10-11:30am
 

Here are some other sources you may want to explore as well.
https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/synod
https://www.usccb.org/synod

As we continue praying and preparing these are some other helpful resources.
A classic way of Christian mediation is of course the Rosary. Check this link to learn how to pray the rosary.
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/rosary/how-to-pray-the-rosary.html

Another is Lectio Divina. Here is a link to some more info on this method. 
https://spiritualdirection.com/2012/04/21/what-is-lectio-divina-and-will-it-help-my-prayer-life-a-guide-to-lectio-divina

Also good is the examen prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Here is a link for more info. This link may seem complicated, but the prayer itself is not. Give it a read, and try it.
http://www.sfcatholic.org/youth/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/04/Examen-St.-Ignatius.pdf


Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr