The oft-heard Lenten song tells us, “In these days of Lenten Journey, we have seen and we have heard, the call to sow justice in the lives of those we serve.” We are invited to show mercy and peace, compassion and care by nurturing a renewal of faith during this season of penance.
This year, Lent began on Valentine’s Day, February 14. How fitting that the preparation for the greatest act of love in the history of mankind began on that day this year! During his lifetime, Jesus was the perfect model of compassion and love for the suffering and the poor. As we journey through this 2018 season of Lent, we have the opportunity to pledge to be his hands and his feet, and bring his love to all those we meet. In Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice dying on the cross, he gave us an everlasting example of the New Commandment: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
This Commandment is a tall order for us today, during this harried period chock-full of distractions and division. However, there are many opportunities at Saint Elizabeth Parish to help us re-focus on our Lenten journey with Jesus, to strengthen our Christian commitment and celebrate an Easter of hope made possible by love.
In addition to the Ash Wednesday services and the Lenten Soup Supper held in February, there are numerous opportunities to reflect, pray and prepare for Easter during Lent.
Here are a few:
- EFF Stations of the Cross, which will be held on March 5 and 7 at 5:00 PM, and March 6 at 6:30 PM
- Special EFF Lenten classroom activities
- Parish School Lenten Prayer Service, held on March 28 at 11:00 AM in the church
- Join in the online Lent preparation program called A Lent to Remember
- Participate in “Operation Rice Bowl” throughout Lent.
Lent ends with the Triduum, a period lasting three days, during which we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of the death and resurrection of the Lord. It is a beautiful time of solemn reflection and begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of The Lord’s Supper. The Triduum continues through the solemn observance of the Crucifixion and veneration of the Cross on Good Friday and reaches its high point with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. The Easter Season continues with the eight-day celebration of the Octave of Easter and concludes on Pentecost.
Please see our website for liturgy times.
Saint Elizabeth Parish provides many ways to make Lent a season for conversion of the heart in preparation for the solemnity of the Triduum and the joy of the Resurrection at Easter.
~ Lisa Sheronas