February 18 - 19, 2012
Dear Cathedral Community,
We are grateful to have Bishop Coyne presiding and preaching among us today. He will also have the Rite of Election this Sunday afternoon which makes us especially grateful for his time with us Sunday morning.
As Lent approaches with Ash Wednesday this week, I want to say a few things about the observance of Lent.
This season, originally oriented toward those preparing to enter the church at the Easter Vigil, now affords us all the opportunity to review our efforts at personal and communal conversion. Because of our membership in the family of God, our personal efforts always take place and find expression within the larger community of the Body of Christ. One enhances the other. The three traditional pillars of Lenten renewal are: PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING.
The opportunities for prayer are many. Please consult in another part of the Bulletin the Lenten Devotional opportunities in addition to the regular liturgical schedule of Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. These are the prayer opportunities:
Eucharist: Ash Wednesday: 8 AM, Noon and 5:15 PM.
As usual, Monday through Friday: 8 AM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5:15 PM
Reconciliation: Tuesday evenings following 5:15 PM Mass, and
Fridays at Noon.
Please Note the Communal Rite of Reconciliation
scheduled at St. Mary Church on March 29 at 7 PM
Way of the Cross: Friday evenings at 5:15 PM in the Cathedral.
Lectio Divina (Praying with Scripture): 5 PM on the first Sunday of the
month.
Evening Prayer: 5 PM on Sundays March 11, 18 and 25.
Fasting is an ancient practice of doing without so as to experience more of Christ. We are, of course, obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as well as to abstain from meat and meat products on the Fridays of Lent. Fasting might be something to consider one day a week as part of your Lenten asceticism.
There are numerous opportunities for almsgiving. Many offer support to our parish outreach to the poor that includes St. Vincent de Paul and our Cathedral Kitchen. Throughout the Lenten Season there are several “additional collections” for various causes as noted in our contribution envelopes. I would also recommend the monastic practice of going through your clothing at home, and consider what you might want to recycle for someone else’s use. The norm? If you haven’t worn it in the last year, pass it on.
Please note the BONA OPERA FORMS in the bulletin. Bona Opera means “good works”. If you are interested, please note on the form your Lenten Intentions, and place your folded Bona Opera Forms in the basket on Ash Wednesday as you come forward to receive the Blessed Ashes. These forms will be kept in a container at the Altar throughout all of Lent. Simply follow the instructions on the Form. Additional forms may be found at the doors of the Cathedral and the Chapel.
Let us remember to pray for one another during this Holy Season, and especially for our Candidates in the RCIA preparing for Reception into the Church.
Sincerely Yours in The Lord,
Father Noah
