Ash Wednesday is the beginning of our Lenten season. You will see in the bulletin the  times for Confession and the Stations of the Cross as well as the regulations for Fast and Abstinence. This year we are having an evening of Recollection on March 29 and are planning more prayer opportunities.

What is Lent? Traditionally Lent is a penitential season, and so it is; but it can be so much more. The traditional practices of Prayer, Fasting and Acts of Charity are recommended to us to help us grow in our Spiritual Life, our relationship with God and with the Community. Lent can be a Transformational Season, a gift of time and grace to transform us more closely in the image of the Crucified and Risen Christ. As we begin this Lent, I encourage all of us to prayerfully ask God where I need to be transformed, where in my life do I need God’s light and grace; what specific concrete actions or changes can be made in my life to make me more closely resemble Jesus. Ask God for these graces and this light this Lent.
God Bless and may we all have a holy, Spirit filled and transformational Lent.
Fr. Dan

Days of Abstinence: No meat can be eaten on Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays during Lent. This applies to all Catholics 14 and older.

Days to Fast: Only one full meal is permitted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for Catholics between 18 and 59. Two smaller meals are permitted, but the small meals should not equal a second full meal. Drinking coffee, tea and water between meals is allowed. Snacks between meals are not allowed.

One is not bound to fast if health or the ability to work is affected.

Dear Parish Family,
This weekend a number of our children will be celebrating First Penance; not only is this a blessing for our parish, but also a time for each of us to reflect on our own celebration of this great Sacrament of healing. Confession is one of those Sacraments that seem to have fallen out of favor with many; perhaps we don’t believe that we are in need of forgiveness, or perhaps we think that my ‘sin’ is only between God and me. So why should I go to the priest for absolution? First, we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness, St. John writes: “Whoever says that they are not a sinner has made God out to be a liar.” Sin is not just a breaking of a law or a commandment, it is a disruption of righteousness and relationships. When I sin, I choose to diminish (or in the case of mortal sin) cut off my ability to receive and experience God’s grace. If God’s grace was only given to me for me then I do not need to be reconciled with anyone other than God. However, God’s grace is given not just for the individual, but through the individual for the community and the world. My sin, my refusal to love, affects my relationship with God, with my authentic self (the person God created me to be), the community of the Church and the world. I need to be reconciled, not just with God, but with myself, the community and the world. In the Sacrament, God forgives sin, restores relationships and empowers one to live more closely in line with Jesus’ life. Also, in this sacrament we experience both pardon and peace. Take a moment and prayerfully ask yourself: “When was the last time I went to Confession?” If you can’t remember or if it has been over a year then it is time to reacquaint yourself with the celebration of this great gift of healing, reconciliation, restoration and grace.
God Bless,
Fr Dan

The Diocese of Syracuse will no longer mandate that masks be worn in diocesan churches and offices, effective February 10. Although not mandated, the faithful are more than welcome to wear masks out of concern for the health and safety of others.