As the holy season of Lent approaches, the Church once again invites us into a sacred time of renewal, repentance, and deeper communion with the Lord. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the saving mystery of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
This year, I invite you to enter Lent with the words of the Prophet Joel echoing in your heart: “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart” (Joel 2:12).
Friends, we live in a world that constantly pulls our hearts in many directions. The demands of work and school, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and the steady noise of media can leave us feeling stretched thin and spiritually distracted. At the same time, we cannot ignore the violence, unrest, and suffering present in our world, which can weigh heavily on our hearts and leave us anxious or discouraged. In the midst of all this, the Lord speaks quietly yet persistently, inviting us not to run faster, but to return—to Him.
Lent is not merely about giving something up; it is about turning back—again and again—to the God who is rich in mercy and eager to receive us. No matter where we find ourselves on our spiritual journey, the Lord gently calls us to return to Him with trust, humility, and hope.
To help our parish respond to this call, we are offering many opportunities throughout Lent to pray, reflect, and grow together in faith. You will find full details in the enclosed flyer, including expanded times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as opportunities for Lectio Divina, Bible Study, Stations of the Cross, and Eucharistic Adoration. This year, I am pleased to share that thanks to the St. Joseph’s Men’s Group, we will have overnight Eucharistic Adoration at Our Lady of the Assumption on Fridays of Lent after the 8 AM Mass, continuing through 8 AM on Saturday. Confessions will be available beginning at 7 AM. We will also have a combined celebration for the Feast of St. Joseph for both parishes. I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you and your family might make use of these offerings as part of your Lenten journey.
My hope is that this season will be a grace-filled time for each of you—a time to quiet the noise, listen more closely to the voice of the Lord, and allow Him to renew your heart. Please know that you are remembered in my prayers, and I ask that you keep our parish and its ministries in yours as well — as we make this journey together.
May this Lent draw us ever closer to Christ and prepare us to rejoice fully in the joy of Easter.
Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. Christopher D. Hughes Parochial Administrator