Lent

02-22-2020Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Welcome to the season of Lent as we begin Ash Wednesday this week. The word “Lent” is an English translation of the Latin term “Quadragesima,” meaning forty days, referring to the 40 days of Lent. We begin Lent on Ash Wednesday by receiving ashes on our forehead as a sign of repentance from our sins and to remind us that we were made from the dust of the earth and will return back to dust. The Church requires all Catholics to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Also, all Catholics from the age of 18 to 60 years old are encouraged to maintain a certain level of self-discipline such as fasting and abstinence during the season of Lent. The goal of self-discipline is not to punish ourselves but to consciously deny ourselves of certain desires, or make some sacrifices that will help strengthen our relationship with God. Apart from fasting, we are also encouraged to develop some new good habits like going to Mass, setting aside times for daily prayers, reading our Bible, watching Catholic movies, participating in charity works, etc. Please check our parish bulletin and website for the Ash Wednesday Mass schedule.

Additional Confession Day

I am glad to inform you that beginning this week, Fr. Wilfred and myself will be available to hear Confessions from 5 pm to 6 pm every Friday throughout the season of Lent. This is right before the Stations of the Cross at 6 pm. This is in addition to our regular weekly Confessions on Saturdays. We will evaluate the level of participation at the Friday Confessions throughout the season of Lent to see if there is need to keep it permanent throughout the year. I invite you to come join us at the Stations of the Cross at 6 pm and the soup dinner after the Stations at around 6:45 pm.

Backyard Bash

Finally, our long-awaited Parish Picnic (Backyard Bash) is here this weekend. Please join us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship from 12:30 pm to 3 pm on Sunday afternoon at the Desert Breeze Park in Chandler. There will be food, games, and music performed by Nick and Nikki. I thank Lani Gore, the Events Committee, the Helping Hands Ministry, and the Knights of Columbus for the planning and preparations for the event. Later Sunday evening, we will have our first XLT Praise and Worship Night with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 5 pm Mass in the church. Everyone is welcome to come and join us.

Thank you and remain blessed,

Fr. James

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