December 10, 2008
Dear Parishioners,We had a good beginning to Lent with our Ash Wednesday Masses and imposition of Ashes. How edifying to see you ready to make the commitment to the Lenten pilgrimage to your Easter Renewal of Baptismal Promises and your Easter Communion. It was a good beginning and we can trust in the Lord’s Grace to assist us in this spiritual journey.
Today, Jesus goes into the desert after His Baptism. St. John Chrysostom comments on why Jesus went to the desert for this first and public encounter with the Devil: “He did this in order that the baptized should not be troubled if after Baptism they suffer still greater temptations, as though such were not to be expected.” We will be tempted each in our own way as Msgr. Ronald Knox reminds us: “the devil is not going to offer you and me all the kingdoms of the world. He knows his market; offers...just as much as he thinks his customer will take...if he sees the chance he is not slow to point out to you and to me how we could get the thing we want if we would be untrue to our better selves, and not infrequently if we would be untrue to our Catholic loyalties.”
But Christ sends His angels to be with us and He Himself stays with us through the Sacraments to give us strength. Staying close to Him in the Sacraments of His Church you and I will be victorious over our temptations as the Lord was with the false offerings He received in the desert. Our journey of Lent will strengthen us to enjoy the freedom to live in, with and through Christ. I hope you are finding the literature we mailed to you helpful in your spiritual journey; especially the “Magnificat Lenten Companion” Here are some other things happening for you:
“ Soup and Stations” Each Friday we gather to spend time with each other and encourage each other in our spiritual journey to Easter. Sign up each week for our simple soup dinner at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center. Join us for our family way of the Cross at 7:00 PM in the Church. You can donate at Soup or at the Stations to the fund for the Catholics in Iraq.
Rite of Election: Sunday, February 16 our Most Reverend Bishop will be at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Charlotte to pray over those who will be coming into full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter. By “election” we mean “calling” and it is a calling to the Easter Sacraments. The Catechumens are those who have never been baptized; the Candidates are those who have been baptized but in a non-Catholic Church or who were never catechized. Pray for all of them from our parish and all the parishes of our area. Bishop Jugis has three “Rites of Election” in three various areas of the Diocese. You are welcome to join us there.
Young Adult and Youth Lenten Pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey: Sunday, March 9 (2:00 PM – 6:15 PM) is the Year of the Eucharist Pilgrimage to Belmont Abbey for all Young Adults, College Students, High School and Junior High Students. Bishop Jugis and Abbot Placid will welcome the youth to the Abbey. There will be speakers, a Eucharistic Procession, Holy Hour, sermon from Bishop Jugis and Vespers with the Monks, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Please call Mrs. Webster to sign up for this pilgrimage. I will be going with you.
“ Stational” Churches of Rome: You may want to research on the internet or in a library the “Stational” Churches of Lent for the daily station Masses in Rome: Sunday: St. John Lateran; Monday: St. Peter in Chains; Tuesday: St. Anastasia; Wednesday: St. Mary Major; Thursday: St. Lawrence in Panisperna; Friday: Church of the Twelve Apostles; Saturday: St. Peter’s in the Vatican; Sunday: St. Mary in Domnica.
“ For Profit Private Detention Center”: There has been some news about the possibility of a For-Profit Private Detention Center coming to Gaston County. The building and running of such a facility has many facets of concern and many consequences which need to be studied and discussed so the best decision for the community and the service to those persons who may be housed in such a facility can be made. I hope you will research the issue and help Gaston County by your participation in the discussion and your contacting of those who will have the responsibility of making the decision.
The United States Conference of Bishops has written a statement which refers to the principles which are involved in the treatment of people who are detained for whatever reason. The statement is entitled: “Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice”. You can access this statement on the web: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/criminal.shtml# introduction.
The Committee of the Bishops of the South issued several statements in this regard. You can access one of particular interest which refers to the “For-Profit Prisons”. The web address is: http://www.glenmary.org/Whats_new/ 2007/11/prison_pastoral_02.htm. I have placed copies of this in the vestibule of the Church.
You may find information also from the Gaston County Board Commission.
Have a good and fruitful Lent. May God bless you and our Lady keep you in her tender care.
With my prayers,
Fr. Arnsparger