The Lenten Season is FAST approaching (pun intended) so before you know it this Holy Season will be upon us. Lent is a Holy Season because it is meant to help to grow in holiness. Let us pray that we can use this time wisely.
This year, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.
Lent’s Meaning and Purpose
Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. A humble understanding of knowing that we are all born with the curse of sin and that repentance is required. The purpose of Lent is to fully recognize our brokenness as humans and the need for a Savior. The time period of Lent allows us to reflect and open our hearts to Jesus.
The main observation of Lent, fasting, is done to clear distractions and focus on Christ. Giving up something and replacing it with prayer and worship gives way to a deeper relationship with God.
“A more profound and closer communion with God is the reward of sacrifice and devotion. His love and one’s salvation are not reliant on denying oneself chocolate or beer, but idolatry stands in the way of worshiping the one true God. These 40 days are set aside to praise and worship the Lord; to read the Bible more, and to pray more often. Christians who observe Lent correctly anticipate deeper intimacy with the Lord, which is the blessing; they do not expect rewards such as more favorable answers to prayer or the resolution of health concerns, although many Christians have reported that, following Lent, they experience freedom from long-standing issues.” ~ Excerpt from the Meaning and Purpose of Lent by Candice Lucey.
You can also sign up with Dynamic Catholic to receive daily e mails for the Season of Lent. Just go to dynamiccatholic. com/lent.html#form-signup. It’s free!
Deacon Roger’s funeral last Saturday was very beautiful and prayerful. We are very grateful to have had Bishop Michael Woost with us to celebrate the funeral Mass and Fr. Stephen Moran to lead the Vespers on Friday afternoon as well as Fr. John Mulhollan, who gave a very beautiful homily for the Vespers. Many of you may know that Fr. John is a son of the parish. His Mom and Dad, Paul and Bonnie, live here in Wadsworth.
I am very grateful to all who helped make Deacon Roger’s funeral so prayerful and beautiful, especially Fr. Joe Robinson, Deacon Rich, Annette Bernard, and Lisa Hanna who helped with the planning and preparations for the vespers and funeral Mass. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus who served as honor guards and ushers in the church during the Vespers for the wake, through the night, and for the funeral Mass. As always Eric Pandrea and Sue Fajt did a beautiful job with the music. I am also grateful for the efforts of our altar servers. They are always ready to serve at the altar and do it with great reverence. All in all, it was a great testament to Deacon Roger as well as to our parish family serving others and worshipping God for all He does for us. May Deacon Roger and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
