Lent has begun. We should all have a plan for Lent: it may involve a deeper prayer life; it may involve being more intentional in giving alms; it may involve eliminating a bad habit or vice; it may involve good deeds done in charity. Whatever the plan, we all need to carefully spell out the plan so that it doesn’t fade away as a forgotten good intention. All of us are asked to abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent, a simple act of penance during this season.
I offer a reminder that the Stations of the Cross are offered at 7 p.m. on the Fridays of Lent and also at 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Join us as we reflect on Christ’s passion.
We have an exciting Lenten program planned this year at St. Charles. Dr. Tom McGovern, author of “What Christ Suffered: A Doctor’s Journey through the Passion,” will give a series of three presentations on Sunday evenings, finishing on Palm Sunday. Dr. McGovern has extensively researched the medical aspects of Christ’s passion and death, combining ancient histories, medical insights, and some new archeological finds. He will give us a better idea of a Roman crucifixion and the details of Christ’s passion. Along with these descriptions, Dr. McGovern will share papal teachings about the theology of suffering. He will show pictures and share his story in the church at 6:30 p.m. on three Sunday evenings, March 15, 22, and 29.
Our parish Lenten almsgiving project this year is centered on the work of the Passionist Fathers in Haiti. Fr. Rick Frechette is a Passionist priest, a medical doctor, and the author of a book about his ministry in Haiti. I met Fr. Rick once at the invitation of Karen Robertson, a parishioner who was working to help fund his efforts. I quote from one of his newsletters:
“It is difficult for the reader to imagine what Haiti is like- because there is very limited or no news published. Haiti is a country of deep anguish, lived out in the shadowy edges of human concern.
The entire population is in agony.
The number of internal refugees, fleeing the terrorist gangs- not once but over and over again, is recently published at 1.3 million. The number of kidnappings, the number of brutal killings, is staggering.”
The Passionists are in Haiti, helping with hospitals, orphanages, and many good ministries. If you would like to make a donation, write a check to St. Charles and write “Haiti” in the memo line.
