Saying You're Sorry

We know that there are times when we hurt each other, when we get mad or frustrated at someone else, or ignore them entirely. Those are times when the first step to fixing things is to say "I'm sorry".  Lent is an especially good time to examine our lives, determine where and how we could be doing better in living as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Conversion is a life-long process, and as Church we help each other in various ways. One important way that we recognize and ritualize the merciful forgiveness of God is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Here is a page with a lot of good resources to help you prepare to celebrate (yes, celebrate!) the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you are looking for some reassurance that God is not a judge or policeman just itching to punish you, please read through the 15th chapter of Luke's Gospel... you'll find a God who loves us so much and is so impatient to forgive us and relieve us of the burdens that we carry around ... and who rejoices when we do take a step towards conversion!

Next Thursday, March 31, we will have a communal reconciliation service at St. Andrew, starting at 7pm. Now, the 'communal' part does not mean that you get up in front of everybody and announce your sins! The communal part means that we come together as the Body of Christ- in recognition that by our sins we have failed to represent the Body of Christ as clearly as we should have, to ask each other for support and prayer and forgiveness as we express our sorrow to God.  So please, come next Thursday. If your children have already received their first reconciliation, help them prepare to celebrate the sacrament again. If they have not yet celebrated this sacrament, have them come and observe, anyway: the example you show by 'saying your sorry' is one that will be planted deep within their own hearts.

Ash Wednesday and Lent

With a smudge of ash and solemn words encouraging us to remember the important things, we begin the season of Lent. Keep in mind that Lent doesn't exist without Easter. Centuries ago, these weeks began to be designated as the time for final preparation for those who would be baptized at Easter. And it evolved as a season for the whole Church (all the baptized) to look within ourselves, face the temptations that make it hard for us to follow and love Jesus, and pray for God's help in this process of life-long conversion.

Remember how Jesus went out into the desert after his baptism and before his public ministry? He was tempted with the sorts of things that would have kept him from being authentic and effective: aspirations of fame and wealth, and lack of trust in God's providence.

What are the things that your son or daughter could name that make it hard to for them to be their very best? Are there struggles you feel comfortable sharing with them that make it hard for you to be a good Christian?

It's generally been popular to give up something for Lent. In that discipline we might discover that some things we thought were 'needs' are just 'wants', and find new and more productive uses of the time and/or money invested in those wants. 

How will you change as a result of this Lent? Will your family pray together every day? Give up 30 minutes of facebook or xbox or netflix time to do some reading (for personal edification or family together-time)? Find some opportunity to make someone's life a little better? Participate in the many Lenten activities at your parish? (Go to the St. Andrew Parish Website for a listing).

Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but it IS a helpful way to mark our intention to get ready for the new life promised us at Easter. Masses at the parish are 6:30 and 9am and 5:30 and 7:30pm. There is also a Noon Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes.