Pastor's Points: The 40 Days of Lent

The 40 Days of Lent

On February 10 ^th we begin the holy season of Lent. It has come quickly. We ended the Christmas season on January 10 ^th. Lent provides us a chance to prepare well for the observance of the Paschal Triduum as we enter into the Lord’s dying and rising.

Have you thought yet about Lent and what you will do to make this a holy season of prayer, study and renewal? Some suggestions:

• At Christmas we gave away 1,500 copies of Matthew Kelly’s “Rediscover Jesus.” (We could have used more!). Dynamic Catholic, Kelly’s organization, is offering a 40 day email program for Lent based on “Rediscover Jesus.” This would be a great follow up to the book and a good way to do some Spiritual Work in Lent every day. You can sign up for the program at http://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/.
• We are also offering a Lenten Small Group course entitled “Doors of Mercy.” It is an 8-week journey through salvation history, from God’s merciful promises to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, to the prophets’ call to renewal, to the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ. You can learn more at mercystudy.com. To sign up visit stmchapelhill.org/lent or contact Jim Hynes at [email protected] or 919-942-6237.
• Fr. Labosky will be teaching a course on the Passion Narratives beginning on Wednesday, February 3^rd at 7:00pm in the Parish Center. This will be a great way to focus on the Passion of our Lord as we enter into the Lenten Season.
• In addition to Wednesdays at 11:30am and Saturdays at 3:45pm, we will be adding a special time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lent in observance of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Priests will be available on Friday nights from 6:00-7:00pm in/near the confessionals leading up to the celebration of Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm. Also, our Parish Lenten Penance Service will be celebrated on Thursday, March 10^th at 7:00pm.
• Think, too, about the need to extend mercy in your life this Lent. Our God is a God of mercy. I hope you experience that in a tremendous way this Lent. But we must also be agents of mercy. Who is that one person in your life that needs to know your forgiveness, your mercy, your love?

I hope and pray that the coming 40 Days of Lent are truly a grace-filled time for you and that you come to know and to show forth Mercy.