Last weekend, you might have picked up a free book by Fr. Michael Denk called “Pray 40 Days.” We are continuing to pass them out every weekend leading up to this year’s mission on February 27, 28 and March 1 from 7:00-8:00pm. Mark your calendars! This mission is truly a kickoff to a season of Lent filled with time with Jesus in prayer. Each evening, in his fun and musical way, Fr. Michael will teach us different ways to pray like Lectio Divina, Praying with the Senses, Contemplative Prayer, Guided Meditation, Scripture Relaxation and Praying like a Pirate. His book will guide you day by day on what to pray and how to do it.

I am grateful that Fr. Michael can come and offer this experience this year as he has been helping celebrate Mass on Sundays. I was assigned with him for a couple years at St. Gabriel and one thing I know from that experience is his love for prayer and helping others learn how to pray.
I am excited about entering into this time of prayer with all of you. On Monday’s at 6:00 pm during Lent (March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4) I will be in the Church to discuss the past week’s prayer time and experience. We will close with Evening Prayer at 7:00pm led by diaconate candidate Bob Stegmaier.

In the book of Jeremiah this weekend, we read “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream…” (Jer 17:7-8). When we pray, we put trust and hope in the Lord and we reach out our roots (hearts) toward the Lord and look to him to fill us and transform us. I pray that you can enter into this coming season of Lent filled with trust and hope in what God is going to do in our lives.

May God’s peace and joy be with you,
Fr. Jeremy

Ps. Please pick up an additional book on your way out of Mass and give it to a neighbor who might not be coming to church. Perhaps this might be the right time to welcome them back. Thanks!