8th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Lent & Sacred Heart Radio

Greetings in the name of the Lord:

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. I would like to extend to everyone, Happy Lent! Happy Lent because we are taking the focus off of ourselves and refocusing on whom we must always give ourselves completely:  Jesus Christ. Frequently in the season of Lent, we think “What am I giving up for Lent?” I would like to share with you what my first spiritual director said to me as Lent was approaching.

Instead of our typical “giving something up,” how about adding something for Lent? Some examples to add for Lent:  going to Eucharistic Adoration and confession, partaking in faith formation opportunities in our Family of Parishes, spending more time in prayer, reading from the Bible, reading a good Catholic book, or taking up a new devotion. Another opportunity is to become active in one of our many outreach ministries in our Family. When it comes to fasting, consider bread and water on the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent for 2 meals and eat just one regular meal.

A goal of our Lenten experience is that it should be something that continues beyond Lent and into the next year, then becoming a normal part of our day every day. This strengthens us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Finally, I would encourage everyone to become a regular listener of Sacred Heart Radio 740 AM / 910 AM or livestream on your smart phone via the Sacred Heart Radio app. With Sacred Heart Radio, you receive many kinds of Catholic teaching for 50 minutes every hour. You can use the QR code below to download the Sacred Heart Radio app. I learn so much listening to Sacred Heart Radio because we are all students of the faith. There is always more. Happy Lent!

Yours in Christ:
Fr. Haft