Looking Towards Lent
As we continue through the winter season, next month (almost exactly a month from now), Lent will be upon us. Please be on the lookout for the Lenten Schedule (Days of Grace, extra confession times and Stations of the Cross). Get to confession early in the Lenten season as lines can get rather long in the days immediately leading up to Holy Week and Easter, as this will help you and others to make a more fruitful confession by giving the priest and penitents more time for each confession.
I would also encourage you to start thinking about what practices you will do for Lent. Keep it simple, a few things will suffice to make your Lent a fruitful journey to the Cross and the Resurrection. While giving up sweets or adding some temporary practices are wonderful commitments, I would also encourage you to use Lent as a launch pad for placing another brick in the spiritual edifice of your soul well beyond Lent. (1 Peter 2:4-7, Ephesians 2:19-22) Instead of only making a holy hour each week throughout Lent make a commitment to continue your holy hour into the coming year and beyond. Try to identify something that needs a permanent change in your life. When I decided to give up video games in college seminary, it changed my life for the better. So perhaps the Lord may be asking you to let go of some habit or worldly activity in a more permanent way.
During Lent, we will have our St. Joseph, Pillar of Families Lenten Mission from Sunday, February 25-Wednesday, February 28. The first night’s speaker will be Bishop Earl Fernandes. Bishop Earl Fernandes is bishop of the Diocese of Columbus. He was ordained for the archdiocese of Cincinnati as a priest before becoming the bishop of Columbus. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be Fr. Tom Steinke who is originally from Fort Loramie and is a priest of Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE). There will be a special focus on the Eucharist and the Mass for the Mission. Each evening will begin with a talk by our speakers and then move into Eucharistic Adoration during which time multiple priests will be available for confession. The talk will start each night at 6:30 PM. Mark your calendars now for this amazing opportunity to grow in your Faith and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Some people have asked if the new document from the Vatican on the meaning of blessings has condoned gay marriage or same-sex unions. The simple answer is “no”. The document only seeks to emphasize that because unions that are “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children” are the only unions that can be defined a marriage in the eyes of the Church and God Himself. (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4–6) Yet in our current cultural experience which is permissive of immoral lifestyles the Church must encourage individuals in objectively sinful unions towards conversion to Christ and His Church. Thus, the Vatican instruction makes it clear that in any blessing those in a homosexual union such a blessing must never give the impression that the Church approves of their iniquitous relationship but at the same we want to show them that the Church still sees them as human beings created in the image of God and thus, worthy of care and concern. Which then permits a cleric to deny such a blessing if it would cause confusion or scandal. If such a blessing is to be given in hope that the grace of such a blessing is not sanctifying grace but a grace that plants the seeds of conversion to live the fullness of the truth and turn away from sin. The document states that “when one asks for a blessing, one is expressing a petition for God’s assistance, a plea to live better, and confidence in a Father who can help us live better.” Thus, the Vatican document is attempting to order us away from mere condemnation towards repentance of sin and belief in the gospel. Thereby assuming the best in persons created in the image and likeness of God. (Mk 1:14) The Vatican instruction emphasizes that such a blessing must never be done publicly and without appearance of a rite to prevent scandal and confusion about the true nature of marriage as between one man and one woman that is stable, life-long, and open to life.
This coming week we have some schedule changes and Tuesday and Wednesday Mass at Holy Angels will be moved to Ss. Peter & Paul at 8 am on Tuesday and Wednesday. This is because of the electrical work on Holy Angels that will require the church to be shut down for a few days to continue the required work.
I will also be on retreat this coming week. I am looking forward to the opportunity to be with the Lord and my brother priests. Retreat always bestows some unseen blessings upon me. Know of my prayers for all of you, and I ask for them too in return.
Thank you to our many incredible employees and the many good things they do for St. Joseph, Pillar of Families. What amazing people we have working to serve the Lord and all of you. Do not forget to support them with your thanks and generosity.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Jarred Kohn