Lent is a time when the whole Church enters a time of more intense soul-searching and repentance, a changing of mind, heart, habits, attitudes and actions. The Lectionary readings includes God’s guidance for our journey and purification through Lent. The music also changes and the use of silence during the Mass becomes more significant, to help us enter into these forty days of retreat and reflection.

This year we are journeying with a dozen parishioners who will be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Each Sunday of Lent our candidates (those already baptized) and catechumens (those not yet baptized) will be dismissed after the Scripture readings to reflect more deeply on what God’s Word has to say for them. Let us pray for them, and all those preparing to receive the Easter sacraments.