Cathedral Family,

This coming week we will observe Ash Wednesday and with it enter into the life changing season of Holy Lent. The longer I live the more important I have discovered, this Spring time season of the Church year truly is. It marks the hope of the Christian life. Namely, at the heart of the message of Lent is that we can change. We don’t have to remain stuck in bad habits, compromises and sin. In fact, Christ came precisely to liberate us from the “bonds of death,” which is more than the moment of our earthly death, but includes the daily turning away from sin and living for the gospel. We are heading toward life, or heading toward death---depending on how we live each day.

As I write this letter to you, I am pondering my own call to conversion. “What should I do for Lent?” In my prayer this morning it occurred to me that God was asking me to first of all review my life with Him—a kind of examination of conscience---where am I today with you Lord? Where do you want me to risk more? To trust more? To abandon myself more? These questions are the beginning of what I need to ask myself in helping decide what I will “give up for Lent,” “what will I do for Lent.” I invite you to do the same. Spend some time these next days asking the Holy Spirit to guide you to first believe and know that God is speaking to you. He wants to connect with your heart. He wants to call you “into the dessert,” where He will make you new. And then determine if it is really true that God wants more for my life and I want more for my life---what am I willing to do in order to say yes to that invitation?

Please join us for Ash Wednesday Mass and the distribution of Ashes. This is a day of fast and abstinence---all those over the age of 14 until the age of 59, if in good health are required to abstain from meat and all meat products as well as to fast---to limit the intake of food to one regular meal and two small meals---so as to experience hunger. In this way we learn that we do not live by bread alone---but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

The Ashes we will have marked on our forehead is a reminder that we must die to ourselves in order to live for Him. We die to our sinful habits and pride. The ashes proclaim that we are sinners in need of God’s mercy. In the early Church those who wore “Ashes” were telling the community they need the prayers and help of others in order to be faithful to their commitment to Christ. May we see our Ash Wednesday, and all of Lent, as our journey in solidarity with each other to Gods’ Kingdom. We need one another for challenge, comfort and comradery on the journey of life. Christianity is a team sport.

Please know of my prayers for all of you every day. And please pray for me and the parish for deep renewal this Lent.

Father Christy