Dear Parishioners,

Lenten practices- Prayer, fasting, works of charity.  In prayer, we realize that there is a loving, merciful God watching over us each day.  Find a place in your house where you can take quiet time to pray each day- a place where there are no distractions! Fasting makes us hungry- hungry for God, hungry for forgiveness, hungry for inner peace.  Fasting also puts us in solidarity with those around the world who are starving.  When we feel hunger pangs, it is a small reminder of the poverty that many people endure.  Works of charity or almsgiving is also a part of our Lenten practice.  Jesus told us "Give to those who beg." Even the liturgy "fasts" during Lent.  The Lenten season is marked by two very distinct liturgical omissions. Neither the hymn is known as the Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest) nor the Alleluia verse sung before the Gospel is permitted during the entire 40 days of Lent. The Gloria is a hymn that celebrates the coming of the Lord using words from the angels at Christ’s birth. Here at St. Margaret's, we do not ring the bells at the words of institution, "This is my body, this is my blood."  The Church, during Lent, returns in spirit to the time of Jesus' suffering and death.  And yet, Lent is meant to be a joyful time of refreshment, cleansing, and personal renewal for the whole church.  Enrich your Lenten days with prayer, fasting, and giving to others.

On Saturday, March 30th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass, I will be offering the Anointing of the Sick to anyone who wishes to receive God's healing grace.

A P.S. on my homily from last weekend.  At the 4:00 p.m. Mass, I forgot to mention that the trucking company that had G.O.D. on the side of its trucks stood for "Guaranteed Overnight Delivery!"

Many thanks. God Bless You, Fr. Paul J. Alciati