Last weekend’s celebration allowed
us to put forward the best of St. Timothy Church. Our 8th
graders were “on” – once they got passed their shyness! – and were able to
answer the Bishop’s questions. He asked
them public questions that everyone could hear and they responded. The Bishop even commented that they were the
first group to get the right answer to the question; “What is the only
commandment to include a blessing?” (Do
you know? Ask an 8th
grader!) Their proud Pastor applauded
for them from the sanctuary on that one. The Bishop also asked them private
questions as they came forward to receive the Sacrament, most often about their
chosen patron. In every case, the
student was able to respond right away to the question asked. What was most impressive was the variety of
confirmation names chosen. This year,
there was even a Timothy!
Our Parish and School community has
been blessed by the Gift of the Spirit just in time for Lent. This week, Ash Wednesday opens the cycle that
celebrates the Paschal Mystery – Lent-Easter-Pentecost. All are called to renewed discipline so that
we can be docile to the work of the Spirit in our hearts. This year, as the Church prepares for the
Extraordinary Synod on the Family, and as we continue to hear the call to the
New Evangelization, let us enter into Lent with a family spirit.
When you choose your Lenten
practices of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving (works of Charity), do so in the
key of Family. Turn your attention
toward devotions and prayers that include your family. Pray together. Join together in a common act of “giving up”
something that is good, but that serves to free you for the Lord. Find a way of contributing something of
yourself to your family and with your family to those in need. Don’t miss your chance to grow in the Spirit! Happy Lent.
The Bishops of the United States
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/index.cfm
Catholic Lenten
Regulations
1) Abstinence on all the Fridays of Lent, and on Ash
Wednesday and Good Friday.
- No
meat may be eaten on days of abstinence.
- Catholics
14 years and older are bound to abstain from meat. Invalids, pregnant and
nursing mothers are exempt.
- Fasting
means having only one full meal to maintain one's strength. Two smaller,
meatless and penitential meals are permitted according to one's needs, but
they should not together equal the one full meal. Eating solid foods
between meals is not permitted.
- Catholics
from age 18 through age 59 are bound to fast. Again, invalids, pregnant
and nursing mothers are exempt.
http://www.focolare.org/en/news/category/parola-di-vita/
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