March, the month of Lent! March, like Lent, is a mixed blessing for many Catholics. The winter is almost (but not quite) over. There is a hint of spring as maybe a few crocuses are spotted and then the next day they could be covered in snow. The days are a bit brighter but not too much warmer. The wait is almost over but not over yet.
Our parish theme for Lent this year is “Return to the Lord with all your heart”. In part it is a follow up to our Advent and Christmas “Come Home for Christmas” ministry where we pray for family and friends to return to the practice of the faith. In Lent we focus more on ourselves and our need for continual conversion. Bringing our hearts back to the God who created them. In what would be his final encyclical, Pope Francis reflected on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and reminded us that the heart is more than a bodily organ: it is where our love, hopes and memories are found. This Lenten season is filled with the hope of the coming Easter Season as we make time to prepare our hearts to love God more and our neighbors as ourselves.
The Lenten Schedule includes daily Masses (except Thursday) 8:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross are prayed every Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. Confessions will be Mondays from 3-4 p.m. and Saturday afternoons from 2:30-3:30 p.m. A special “Young Artists” series of Lenten themed coloring pages are available in the vestibule for our little ones to either color and decorate their own home or to share with the parish on our video boards and social media.
A presentation on grief through the eyes of faith is being prepared. More information will be available in our bulletin and social media. Let us set our hearts free from grief and deepen our awareness of God’s love and mercy in this Lenten season.
For a full list of events and happenings the Lenten month of March, and all the details for Holy Week, please follow us on Facebook or visit our website http://www.sacredheartct.com
A better Lent, a better heart, a better life!
God bless,
Fr. Joe Keough, Pastor