Welcome to Lent!!!

Welcome to Lent!

Welcome to Lent!

The 18th was Ash Wednesday, the day on which Lent commenced. In the Catechism, we read, "Lent is the liturgical season of forty days which begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary penitential season in the Church's liturgical year, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer."

On Ash Wednesday, when the priest or minister distributes ashes, he has two options to say: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return," or "Repent and believe in the Gospel." The words "repent and believe in the Gospel," echo the first public preaching of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 1:15). This message proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles urges us to change the direction of our lives, to adopt a new way of thinking and acting, to turn away from sin, and embrace the discipleship of Jesus Christ.

What is repentance? The Greek word "metanoia" means "to change your mind," and the Hebrew counterpart means "to return." On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes as a reminder of our death and a sign of internal repentance. Therefore, Lent, a season of repentance, helps us follow Christ more closely, deepen our relationship with Him, and leave sin behind so we will inherit a share in the Resurrection.

If you have been away for months, years, or decades, please come back. You are always welcome here. We are offering a Combined Parish Reconciliation Evening at Borgia on Sunday, March 15th, from 7:00-8:00 pm. You can always schedule the reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation with any priest. In addition, there will be an opportunity for Reconciliation after the 9:00 am Masses on Sundays during Lent and on the Monday during Holy Week from 6:30-8:00 pm.

If you have missed a Sunday Mass without a serious reason, know that God's mercy and forgiveness await you in the sacrament of Reconciliation. This needs to happen before receiving the Holy Eucharist. Know that God's love and mercy are always available to you! As a reminder, the regular times of opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and our current Mass schedule are in the bulletin. We also have Exposition of the Eucharist on Tuesdays following the 8:00 am School Mass through 6:15 pm.

If there is anything either of the priests here can help you, please call the parish office at 636.239.6701 x 1510

Peace, Father Maassen

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Dear Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ, Before you hit send, is this an act of love? Before you say what you are about to say, is this an act of love? This is especially true on e-mails and social media. There are countless scripture quotes on how to treat other people, your neighbor, and even your enemies. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" Luke 6:27. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” Matt 5:44. "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them" Luke 6:31. There are many more Scripture passages on how we are to treat our neighbor and even our enemies. Jesus does not condition loving anyone on whether we agree with them on any issue. Jesus does not condition any of these commands on whether we are angry or not. Jesus’ commands are unconditional. As Catholics, as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to rise above our anger and disagreements and treat one another with love. This does not mean we have to agree. It does mean we are to love. I also encourage you to talk face-to-face with someone you are angry with or disagree with; this takes courage and is the loving way. The following is right out of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 2477 and 2478): Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty: of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor; of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failing to persons who did not know them; concerning them. I will end this letter with an incredibly challenging quote from Dorothy Day: "I really only love God as much as the person I love the least." Peace, Father Maassen