February 3, 2008

Dear Parishioners,

God is so good to us and our grateful response of serving Him is a normal response. The interior growth to which we pledge ourselves opens up even more depth in our return of love to the Lord. As we develop the qualities of true sons and daughters of the Lord we also find happiness. Today, the prophet Zephaniah describes the qualities of the faithful remnant – those who want to live in communion with the Lord. These qualities are echoed in St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and we find the summary of the qualities of a person in communion with the Lord in the Beatitudes in St. Matthew’s Gospel. All of them are qualities of the person who is in communion with the Lord; we don’t just live one or the other. And our Lord gives us an explanation of the blessing which comes from living each quality. These are good for our children to memorize so that later in life they can interiorize them. The point, of course, is that the person who develops the qualities of character explained here will be living in a happy communion with the Lord in this life and in the next. God has created us for happiness and we can possess the joys of the Kingdom now. The day to day life of the Christian is to grow in those qualities through our Sacramental encounter with the Lord through His Church. Here is real stewardship: as we grow in grace, we in turn focus on the directing of our time, talent and treasure to show our love for the Lord. It is a win-win situation.

There is a great and immediate need for assistance to our Chaldean Catholics in Iraq as they face the devastations of so many years of problems and suffering. The Catholic Church in Iraq, though small in number, is continuing to work for the proclamation of the Gospel through the activities of the Dioceses and the parishes. Some local groups have already begun obtaining donations of medicines and supplies. Someone is now working on a generator for Fr. Imad who is the Bishop-elect of the Chaldean diocese in Southern Iraq. He is the representative of the Christian community (Syriac, Assyrian, Armenian Orthodox and Protestant) and their efforts and project for the benefit of the general community, Muslim and Christian alike. They are in need of financial help for their medicine, nursing care, education, homeless assistance and various other ministries. During Lent you are invited to assist by helping by offering alms at the Wednesday night Masses and on Fridays at the Soup and Stations.

Lent begins this Wednesday, February 6, Ash Wednesday. We will have Masses and the distribution of ashes at 8:15 AM; 12:00 Noon; 7:00 PM; and 8:00 PM in Spanish. While Holy Communion and other Sacraments are only celebrated by Catholics, all people are invited to share in the sacramentals of the Church and so are welcome to approach us to receive the ashes. Remember, by approaching us to receive the ashes, a person is making a pledge to enter the holy pilgrimage of Lent and work at further conversion. The goal of this conversion is to prepare us to renew our Baptismal promises at Easter so that you can experience the grace of our Easter Communion. Our Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving will lead us to the renewed hearts which will lead us deeper into the spousal union with God. Be sure to make your Lenten Plan to be with us, your family. What will be your plan? Write it down and place it in your prayer book so you pray over your plan each day.
Daily Mass?
Daily Mass Readings?
Daily Rosary?
Wednesday Mass at 7 PM with sermon on the Characters of the Passion; collection or Catholic Ministries in Iraq
Friday night Soup and Stations of the Cross? Soup at 6:30 PM (collection for Catholic Ministries in Iraq;) Stations at 7:00 PM
Fasting? Prayer? Almsgiving? What specifically will you do?
Personal mortifications?

Lenten Regulations:

Fasting: All Catholics 18 – 60 Only one full meal (two smaller ones permit- ted) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Abstinence: All Catholics 14 and older No meat on every Friday of Lent

Let us walk to Easter which can only be done through the Cross.

Anyone or any group who would like to cook and host one of our Lenten Friday Soups before the Stations, please call the parish office. We are also in need of a group or individual to lead our “International Dinner”. This annual fund raiser is needed for our many ministries and activities here at St. Michael’s. Last year’s team has good notes to help in a smooth organization for this year. Give me a call at the Parish office.

May our Lord bless you and our Lady keep you in her care.
With my prayers,

Fr. Arnsparger