Lenten Preparations

On the cusp of Lent, we have several things to look forward to and to focus on. We look toward the Sacred Triduum, in which we are afforded an opportunity to participate in the Lord’s saving work, beginning with the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist on Holy Thursday and culminating in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. This is what our Lenten journey leads to and what our Lenten practices are meant to point us toward.

We will have a Lenten series on the Mass, called “Source and Summit,” taken from the Second Vatican Council’s document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. There will be four Thursday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m. throughout Lent – March 3, 10, 31, and April 7. Fr. Aaron and I will each take two classes. We will also have two days of recollection, one for women and one for men, on March 12 and March 19, respectively. I would also like to encourage you to make mental prayer a part of your daily routine this Lent and continuing beyond Lent.

In the season of Lent, we are encouraged to increase prayer, penance, and almsgiving. So perhaps you could choose a Lenten practice in each of these areas. Make your Lent an opportunity to draw closer to our suffering and crucified Lord, Who died for your sake and the sake of all mankind. We are indeed a privileged people as Catholic Christians to know the love God has for us in sending His Son, Who died so that we might have life.

We are beginning work on the stained-glass windows in the church, so please be patient if there are any inconveniences that this causes. I am glad that we are getting the opportunity to finally fix the stained-glass windows, because there are certain aspects of their maintenance that have been neglected. Unless we acted now, in the coming decade, we could begin to lose significant portions of the stained-glass windows. Please stay tuned for updates.

On the solemnity of St. Joseph (Saturday, March 19), we will have the return of our St. Joseph Brinner. The Brinner will take place immediately following the 4:30 p.m. vigil Mass. Come out to enjoy breakfast for dinner and fellowship with the people of Holy Angels. If you’d like to volunteer for this event, please call the Parish Office at (937) 498- 2307. See you there!

On Thursday, March 24, we will have our Lenten Day of Grace. Confessions will be heard from 6:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on that day. Please take this opportunity to return to Confession if you have been away for a while. Also, please invite family members who have been away from Confession for a prolonged time, and even if they have been away from the practice of the Faith. The Lord came to reconcile us to the Father and that is what He does in the confessional when we stray again and again. He does not tire of forgiving us, it is us who tire of asking for forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance (Confession.)

Thank you to Fr. Aaron, who, time and again, goes above and beyond to serve the people of Holy Angels and to make the life of the pastor much easier. His personable approach and authentic desire to draw others to the truth are just a few of his wonderful contributions to parish life at Holy Angels.

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Jarred Kohn