Brothers:
Here we are already in the second month of the new year. Seems to me we just put the Christmas decorations away! Sign of old age I guess, when time seems to go faster and faster! At any rate here we are in February.
And February, though short in duration, is full of opportunities for Holiness and Grace. February 2nd is the great feast of The Presentation of the Lord, commemorating Jesus being presented in the temple according to Mosaic Law. The obedience of Mary and Joseph in this act, speaks to their understanding of the importance of communal-religious life. Their Faith was important and so was their expression through worship in the temple. It is a great example as to how we should cherish and love our temple, the Church, the Body of Christ and how we must participate and build up the parish community.
We will have this opportunity the very next day, with the Blessing of Throats on the Feast of St. Blaine, an old and beautiful practice.
Then on February 18th, our holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. We can assure the holiness of our Easter celebration if we begin our Lent of penance and alms giving in earnest. Please make it a point to, not so much “give up” something for Lent, but to “give in” to Christ’s call to walk his walk of the Passion and Crucifixion, so that we might also experience His Resurrection.
And so, I hope you see, February is short and yet so important to our Spiritual Life. Take the opportunity to grow closer to Christ in His Church.
May God Bless You and may Mary Keep You Always In His Love!
PS Don't forget to adhere to the Fasting and Abstinence regulations, if you are able!
Fr. Corey,
Chaplain
Here we are already in the second month of the new year. Seems to me we just put the Christmas decorations away! Sign of old age I guess, when time seems to go faster and faster! At any rate here we are in February.
And February, though short in duration, is full of opportunities for Holiness and Grace. February 2nd is the great feast of The Presentation of the Lord, commemorating Jesus being presented in the temple according to Mosaic Law. The obedience of Mary and Joseph in this act, speaks to their understanding of the importance of communal-religious life. Their Faith was important and so was their expression through worship in the temple. It is a great example as to how we should cherish and love our temple, the Church, the Body of Christ and how we must participate and build up the parish community.
We will have this opportunity the very next day, with the Blessing of Throats on the Feast of St. Blaine, an old and beautiful practice.
Then on February 18th, our holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. We can assure the holiness of our Easter celebration if we begin our Lent of penance and alms giving in earnest. Please make it a point to, not so much “give up” something for Lent, but to “give in” to Christ’s call to walk his walk of the Passion and Crucifixion, so that we might also experience His Resurrection.
And so, I hope you see, February is short and yet so important to our Spiritual Life. Take the opportunity to grow closer to Christ in His Church.
May God Bless You and may Mary Keep You Always In His Love!
PS Don't forget to adhere to the Fasting and Abstinence regulations, if you are able!
Fr. Corey,
Chaplain