The Meaning of Lent

Aquinas is a network that gives Catholics easy access to Catholic products as well as locations to meet with other Catholics and those interested in the Catholic Faith.They have this article below which explains Lent. Hope you enjoy.

Lent is the 40 day season prior to Easter. It is a penitential time of prayer and fasting. The season begins Ash Wednesday and concludes at the end of Holy Saturday, with the Easter Vigil. In the Roman Catholic Church, the 40 days of this season do not include the six Sundays of Lent. Sundays throughout the year are considered "mini-Easters" - they always celebrate the joy of the Resurrection of Christ.

The word "Lent" itself comes from lencten, simply referring to the Spring season. However, since the Anglo-Saxon period (9th century) it has been a popular term for this penitential season. The Latin name for the season, quadragesima, is more significant, as it means “forty days” or “fortieth day.”


Read more about Lent and its early history here.

Let's Celebrate Christmas Everyday in 2009

"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Savior who is Christ the Lord."

"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."

All I want for Christmas is "Peace on Earth".

All I want for Christmas is "Peace on Earth". That's a tall order considering there are over 1500 wars and conflicts taking place around the world as of today. Hundreds of thousands of people in Zimbabwe, Darfur, Sudan and other locations around the globe are fleeing for their lives as rebels terrorize their homes, towns and way of life.

We hear in the news daily about the stories of conflict in Israel and Palestine, and other parts of the middle east. Even Jerusalem, still remains in conflict and has for the past 3000 years. King David prayed, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces'" (Psalm 122:6-7).

Here we are today, still praying for peace. God chose this historical city, He's saved it many times, He's even divided it. It seems to be a symbol for the rest of the world. As we enter the Christmas season, we might ask, can we continue on with world conflict like this? Will men and woman of this world ever be able to live together in world peace? I think we will, in God's time, not ours.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Saint Francis still plays a part in the role of mankind today, just like Jesus. Merry Christmas to all the world and Peace on Earth.

Thanksgiving for the Poverty Stricken - You're Invited

I met a guy recently who gets up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a bus so he can make it to his part-time job and be there on time by 7 a.m. He had rode his bike to get where he was going today in 27 degree wet icy conditions. He stopped at the food bank on his way home today to get some groceries because he is broke. While he was there he spotted some nice warm coats that would be just right for the winter conditions. This is just one example of thousands of people in need. Is this the country that is blessed? I think we are responsible to help pull someone out of the depths of hell on earth while we're here sucking air.

Poverty in United States is a moral and social crisis that threatens the health and well-being of our country. With record foreclosures, job losses, natural disasters, and family breakups, it has become time to renew our commitment to action on behalf of the poor and vulnerable. The food banks are in need of more donations of food and money, we can clean out our closets to donate warm winter clothing or buy a special gift for that children gift tree at church.

Just think, if every person in the USA who is blessed with the gift of a warm home, a job, and food on their table gave just a few dollars or some can goods to make someones life a little better this Thanksgiving, what a difference it would make.

Make a commitment today to get involved this Thanksgiving by giving or volunteering your time, and thank God you are blessed enough to do so. I'll start tomorrow, how about you?

Have a blessed day, Mike