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

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,


Thank you all!
Thank you to all for a great Feast Day celebration last week, and for all who participated in the St. Paul Novena prayers and events.  The disadvantage of having our patronal feast at the end of January is that we are in the middle of winter, so weather and the cold can keep us from celebrating as much as we would like.  Even so, I think this practice of the novena and offering multiple events is helpful for people to engage with what I think is a really important date.  Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t understand parishes that skate through their feast day without their parishioners even knowing or the celebration is so minimal it does not register with folks.  We take another approach - we emphasize and extend the celebration in order to give God thanks for the blessings of our patron and our parish. While it is true that we are all Catholic and share in the one true faith, thus we are united throughout the world and time with other Catholics, yet it is only through our parish that we engage that universal faith.  That faith is lived in and through our parish at this time and place in this particular community.  This is no small thing.

Just a thought, but perhaps it would be worth noting another special feast day. In six months is the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29). While not technically our patronal feast, St. Paul is a part of it.  Perhaps a parish picnic, social, or other event would be appropriate then as well.  Plus, the weather would be better.  I’m open to thoughts and ideas how we can continue fostering  true communion as disciples of Christ here at the Parish of St. Paul.

Getting ready for Lent
The great season of Lent begins Ash Wednesday, February 22.  It can surprise us how quick it happens and we find ourselves unprepared.  In our Catholic tradition there is a three-week period of “Pre-Lent,” which is time of lighter penance used as a time gear up for the real penitential practices of Lent itself.  I encourage everyone to take time in prayer to discern how to celebrate Lent this year. Perhaps even start next week with some light fasting to prepare for a more rigorous discipline later.  We want to be discerning and intentional with our Lenten practices. If we wait until the last minute, then we will either do nothing or just repeat some old practice that really lacks spiritual benefit.  Next week I’ll give some practical advice on Lenten practices, but do not be afraid to start asking God now, how He wants you to receive His graces this season. That should be the question - not “What do I want to do for Lent?” but, “How is God calling / challenging me to live this wonderful penitential season?”

St. Paul, Pray for us!

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr