Dear Sisters in the League and Fr. Mike,
“May our new year be filled with hope for a lasting Peace in the world, in our communities, and in our homes and hearts. Pope Frances has chosen to focus on Hope and said that “Hope is a gift from the Holy Spirit, Hope is what Mary, Mother of God, sheltered in her heart during the darkest times of her life: from Friday afternoon until Sunday Morning. That is hope: she had it. And that hope has renewed everything. May God grant us that grace”.
Pope Francis has chosen 2024 as the year of prayer in preparation for Jubilee Year 2025, entitled Pilgrims of Hope. I am attaching the prayer forwarded to me by Rolande Chernichan, National Chairperson of Faith. We are invited to pray this prayer on a regular basis.
With the Season of Lent on the horizon we are encouraged to place more emphasis on spiritual programs during our meetings as well as personal prayer. Symbols of the Lenten season serve as strong reminders of the beginning of something new and different. Purple vestments, banners, altar covers are just a beginning. The major environmental effect we observe in our churches is that of emptiness, sparseness the absence of flowers. Penitence and reconciliation become more prominent in our liturgical services. The Alleluia is “buried” for the season. Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we’ve done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need.
There are many resources available to us through the cwl.ca website. I am attaching a Faith & Spiritual Development Online Resources 2023 for your consideration.
Our calendars are almost full with special events beginning with February 11th – World Day of the Sick. The subtitle chosen for the 2024 observance is Healing the Sick, Healing Relationships. Through our baptism we are called to accompany those who are ill and offer them our love and support.
February 14th – Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten journey. Again many resources are available to us but I would like to draw your attention to our 1 Winter2024 Magazine. It has some interesting articles one being from Shari Guita, National President. In her article she introduces us to her theme “Here I Am Lord, send me” (Isaiah 6:8) The graphic of her theme is eye catching and her explanation is thought provoking. The prayer created by Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, National Spiritual Advisor speaks to all of us. I will be using this prayer throughout the year.
March 1st – World Day of Prayer. As in past years we are invited to take part in the Women’s Inter Faith Council of Canada annual Wond Day of Prayer. Palestine is the authors of this year’s prayer service entitled “I Beg You….Bear with One Another”
March 2nd – Diocesan Development Day being held at St. Jospeh’s the Worker Parish, Victoria. Check with your President for more details.
This Lent, let us embrace this hope Pope Francis speaks about while living out our Diocesan Theme “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with Great Love”.
In closing, I offer this prayer by Joyce Rupp:
Create a clean heart in me, God. Dust off the unmindful activity that constantly collects there. De-clutter my heart from harsh judgments and negativity. Wash away my resistance to working through difficult relationships. Rinse off my un-loving so the beauty of my generous and kind heart can shine forth. Remove whatever keeps me from following in your compassionate footsteps. Amen.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Diocesan Development Day on March 2nd.
Kathy Fadum.