Lent, A New Beginning

My dear Friends in Christ,

Pope Francis reminds us that “Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ who lives in His word, in the Sacraments and in our neighbors.” Part of that is resisting temptations. The devil tries to seduce Jesus three times with the promise of bread when He’s hungry, the glory and power of all the world’s leaders, and the promise of rescue paired with the suggestion that God is not sufficient to keep Jesus safe. All Jesus has to do in return is worship Satan. Jesus will not be led down this road because His focus is strictly on doing the will of the Father. No form of temptation will break Him. We too often focus on things that we shouldn’t do instead of placing our hope and trust in the Lord that He will guide us in doing what’s right rather than wrong. Satan tries to undermine Jesus’ relationship with the Father. All the more reason to turn away from temptation, evil, and sin by letting God’s love and mercy work in and through us.

Since the ACA video last week, the faithful of our parish have pledged $9,095 toward our goal of $50,000. This is approximately 18% of our goal. The outpouring of support from you helps sustain the important ministries across the Diocese of Trenton. If you have yet to give, please pick up a pledge card from tables in the Church and mail directly to the address on the pledge card or go to www.dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal. Thank you for helping us meet our goal.

May God bless you all,

Father John