Lenten Prayers and Devotions- Father Kevin Louis's Bulletin Column - February 25, 2007
Thank you for your kindness on my 44th birthday! I am grateful for your thoughtful cards, delicious goodies, generous gifts, and assurances of prayers. May the Lord bless you for your goodness!
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel’” (Mark 1:15). This proclamation of Jesus of Nazareth at the beginning of His public ministry retains its full rigor and vigor for you and me today! He calls us – indeed, the whole world – to conversion! “Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1427). Even after Baptism “Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1427) in the lives of all those who call themselves Christians. “This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church . . . This endeavor of conversion is not just a human work. It is the movement of a ‘contrite heart,’ drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1427). The liturgical season of Lent is that period of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that “are meant to help lead the believer to ongoing conversion and a deeper faith in the Lord who redeemed us” (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 518).
Please take advantage of the many opportunities provided for you this Lent to ready yourself for the annual celebration of the saving Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The parish Lenten calendar is a useful tool in establishing your spiritual program for this season. Of special note are: Mass twice each weekday (8:00 am and 5:15 pm); Sacrament of Penance (Confession) Wednesday through Saturday at 7:15 am, Monday through Friday at 4:30 pm, Saturday afternoon from 3:00-3:45, and Sunday morning from 7:00 to 7:45; small faith-sharing groups; adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 5:45 pm Tuesdays through 8:00 pm Wednesdays and again 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Fridays; 40 Hours preached by our own Father Sakowski Monday through Wednesday March 5, 6, and 7 at 7:00 pm; Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays (7:00 pm including Divine Mercy chaplet as well) and Fridays (12:10 pm), and the penitential soup luncheon on Fridays (12:30 pm). For additional opportunities throughout our area, please consult the Stevens Point Deanery Lenten calendar available in the Saint Faustina Room.
During this Season of Lent please pray specially for all those who are participating in our parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. For the second year in a row we have a large group that since September has been gathering each Monday evening for 90 minutes of prayer, study, and reflection. Two young adults are preparing to be baptized, five others – having been baptized in other Christian denominations – are readying themselves to be received into the full communion of the Catholic faith, and a number of other young people who were baptized as Catholics look forward to completing their initiation into the Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. It is such a joy and inspiration to work with all of them. Led by Phil Lawson we are blessed to have numerous parishioners who are assisting them in their journey of faith as RCIA team members, sponsors, and godparents. You will recall that in the fall our parish officially accepted and welcomed them within the Mass as catechumens (those preparing for Baptism) or candidates (those preparing to be received into the full communion of the Catholic faith or those seeking to complete their initiation into the Church through Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). On this First Sunday of Lent they take a second solemn step forward through their participation in the Rite of Election of Catechumens and of the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. In this beautiful and moving liturgy with Bishop Listecki they join other catechumens and candidates from throughout our Diocese to prayerfully mark the beginning of their final, more intense preparation for the sacraments to be received at the Easter Vigil. Our parish has so many involved this year that we have rented a bus to transport us to and from
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!