Dear Friends in Christ,
The Holy Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14th. The Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have as their goal the purification from sin and vice so that we may be renewed in the graces of baptism, through which we die and rise again with Christ and become sharers in his Divine nature.
I wanted to point out a few special Lenten opportunities available here at Saint Francis de Sales this year. First, each Friday in Lent at 7pm we will have the traditional Stations of the Cross devotion. We also will have Lauds each Monday-Friday morning at 6:45am, just before the 7am daily Mass. We also have our usual Confession schedule on Saturday and Sunday mornings, along with a special opportunity with several visiting priests on Monday, March 18th, which will also be our celebration of First Penance.
If you’re Looking for a remote evening option to increase your Lenten devotion, join AJ and Patti DeBonis for a virtual book club centered on the great spiritual classic He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Cizek, S.J. It will meet via zoom at 8pm on February 28th, March 13th, and March 27th. RSVP to familyformationdesales@gmail.com to learn more about this book and to access the reading guide. As you know, Sister Alice for many years organized Faith Sharing Small Groups for Lent. If you would like to continue meeting in your faith sharing group from years past, great! Parishioners are encouraged to continue on in the groups formed over the years. If you are new to our community, have questions, and would like to join a group contact Toni Bush at: tonibush2@verizon.net.
Live, Jesus, forever in our hearts!
–Father Eric Banecker