Fr Peter’s Message
Lent is a period of six and half weeks from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. During Lent for 40 days (excluding Sundays) fasting is recommended for all Catholics. The 40 days remind us of Jesus’ time in the desert before he began His public ministry.
Lent is also a time of spiritual preparation for us to celebrate the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. It is a time of penitence other than fasting. It is a time of prayer.
Vatican II declares: “The Lenten season has a two-fold character: - It stresses a penitential spirit - It recalls baptism or prepares us for it.” This time is an opportunity to pay closer attention to the word of God. It is also a time for more ardent prayer. The Church provides an extra prayer of blessing at the end of the Lenten Masses, to help us in the effort we make during this season. This prayer supports us in the efforts we make. The three key words of lent are:
PRAYER - FASTING - ABSTAINING
Remember No meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Many choose not to eat meat on Fridays during Lent. Perhaps part of our prayer would be to pray together as a family or come to one of the weekday Masses.
