Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving – I recently read that fasting has many health benefits. The article explained that when the body is freed from the job of heavy food digestion, it could use its energy and resources to detoxify and heal the body. Apparently, that is why when we are sick we do not have much of an appetite. The body’s resources are shifted to fight whatever is making us sick. Just as we take vacations to give our minds and bodies a rest, fasting or eating lightly can give our digestive system a rest as well. In so doing, it can give the body more energy and make our minds feel clearer. Perhaps that is why fasting has been used for thousands of years as a spiritual discipline, because it helps us clear our minds and strengthen our esolve. Coupled with prayer, our fasting will have spiritual meaning. Our hunger can help us feel compassion towards those who hunger daily. It can lead us to good works, in gratitude for all the blessings we have received. So the spiritual discipline of fasting and abstinence, are key components in the Season of Lent to help us develop a caring heart, a heart like Christ our Lord.
St. Anthony de Sales taught that to grow in holiness, to be a saint, it is not an accident. We can plan for it, just as we plan for our vacations, save for our kids’ college or our own retirement. How we structure our lives can help us grow in holiness. If we make time for daily prayer, make time for Sunday mass, set aside a portion of our time to serve others and to give back to God, these can be habits that lead us to holiness. So I encourage you to make some time during Lent, to reflect on what practices you’d like to put into place in your life, so that they can become tools to help you toward sanctification.
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (AAA) – We are beginning the AAA this Sunday to support the work of the Archdiocese. As I am more involved with the different departments of the Archdiocese, I begin to see the complexity of their work and their dedication. For example, the implementation of the New Roman Missal went smoothly, thanks in large part for the support and training they gave to the priests, musicians and lay pastoral staff. When they do their job well, no one notices their efforts. However, it is only when it is not done well, that we ask who’s in charge and why wasn’t it done better? I think that their sense of service and dedication deserves our encouragement and support. So please consider giving generously to this Appeal. Fr. Mike and I both plan to give $400 each and we hope you’ll join us. Our support for their work is a support for Excellence in the Archdiocese.
On-Line Donation – Electronic bill pay has made life easier and easier. If you’re comfortable with this modern convenience, consider donating to the parish on-line. If you use your credit card, you can earn points while the parish benefits because your transaction will save us time. It will be automatically deposited in our bank and recorded in our parish database. To sign-up for On-Line donation, email Flora Sinajon, our Parish Manager at flora@stbrendanparish.org and she will give you the necessary steps to complete it. No matter whether you give by cash, check or electronically, know that I’m grateful for your ongoing support to our parish.
Fr. Dan
