Bulletin Article (February 11, 2024)
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Lent: Learning to Pray, Fast, and ‘Be Generous’
As we begin the Season of Lent on Wednesday, we will hear about the main themes of praying, fasting, and almsgiving (generously giving to those in need). We are meant to practice these virtues for 40 days…so that they become a regular part of our life throughout the whole year!
As you think about what you will ‘give up’ for Lent, try to think of something you need permanently ‘given up’ in your life. In one sense, making a small sacrifice of doing without some food/drink item can be a good practice if it leads to greater self-discipline in our life…which is a huge part of one’s spiritual life. But also think of other things that I know need to be ‘given up’ on a permanent basis in order to grow in holiness and love…and more like Christ.
You will see in this bulletin and our weekly email various ways our parish is trying to help all of us learn these practices better. I call your attention to a few of them particularly.- Monday Nights Mass at 6:00 p.m. followed by a “soup supper discussion” on the Eucharist
- Stations of the Cross each Friday night at 6:00 p.m.
- Eucharistic Adoration Silent time with God every Tuesday from 6 - 7 p.m.
Be sure to check out for Lenten resources, links for daily email reflections from Bishop Barron (Word on Fire) and Dynamic Catholic at stclarechurch.org/lent. See information about our annual Rice Bowl collection for the poor and hungry.
May God’s Spirit bless each of us with a holy season!
Fr. Jim Deiters
