I write this on a sunny, early (very early) Spring day, hoping the fullness of this season of rebirth will soon be ours: sun in the soul as well as the sky; rebirth for our spiritual, family and church life. Meanwhile Caravaggio and Puccini are unusually chipper and frolicsome. I think they are on the trail of some nice baby bunnies, though I wish they would stick to mice.

“Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, when brethren dwell as one.” How comforting to see Helfta Hall last week full of Recollection children, contently munching on their chicken McNuggets. (Thanks to all who helped!) How good are our Friday night suppers, between Mass and Stations. Thanks to our master chef, Jim Soli, and all who participate. Thanks to our Lenten Vegetarian cooks who are feeding the clergy. We had Fr. Saavedra with us for a very pleasant, international meal last Monday – Mexican, French and American.

Lent at St. Gertrude is the season for fasting, but also for eating. These meals promote charity and maintain a friendly, united spirit. Come, eat with us!

Well, I have Mexican food on my menu this week, as I make my annual trip south of the border. I will pray for you all at the “Baby Doctor’s office” in Tepeaca, the shrine of the miraculous image of the Holy Child Jesus, Doctor of the Sick. I also go to Dos Rios and Atlalaucan for Mass, Confirmations, and visits with the clergy and faithful. Please keep me in your prayers, as well as Fr. Siordia who is kindly putting me up, and accompanying me on my trip.

We thank Fr. Disposito for helping us today, as Fr. Cekada (seminary week) and I both prepare to depart for a few days. When we return, it will soon be time for St. Patrick, St. Joseph’s Mass and Table, the Annunciation Ordination to the Diaconate, The Seven Sorrows and a special talk on the Holy Shroud, and then Holy Week and Easter. These are the best days and weeks of the year. Spring is here!

May St. Joseph bless your March.
–Bishop Dolan

“Come Winter, have another flight,” the verse reads for a sunny Candlemas dawn. Ours was cloudy, but Winter came back anyway, giving us, with its difficulties and crosses, many opportunities for Lenten sacrifices. The ones God chooses are always better than the ones we pick.

Persevere in your devotion to the Poor Souls, and extra Lenten Masses, as well as giving alms for Masses for them. I was edified at the good number of Mass offerings we received. Please keep it up. What a reward comes to the merciful!

We priests are edified as well by the devotion of our school boys who want to continue our tradition of Noontime Lenten Vespers after Mass. They not only sacrifice part of their lunch period, but also participate quite audibly, and well, in the chant. God reward them for this extra sacrifice for His glory. Perhaps you would like to attend the Vespers sometimes as part of your Lent?

Through the good work started with the Baptism of Joseph Murphy on Death Row twenty years ago, a number of other prisoners have “put on Christ” and been converted. Some of them are scheduled for execution and need the support of our prayers. God bless Fr. McGilloway and the other CMRI priests who have continued and expanded this apostolate. Fr. Palma, who has often visited and helped us here at St. Gertrude, has been installed as the successor, after many difficulties, of Fr. LeBlanc, at Our Lady of the Sun in Phoenix. The Sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas have moved their novitiate there to the spacious house built by the devoted founding pastor, and will be opening a little school. Please remember this apostolate, and the Sisters, and Fr. Palma in your prayers.

March opens tomorrow with St. Joseph’s patronage. Our week closes with All Night Adoration. Please pray to St. Joseph for a successful one, as there is no greater remedy for all of a church’s needs than Solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We have missed two months in a row due to New Year’s Day and a snowstorm. May all unite around the Monstrance!

Father Cekada reports a good week at the seminary, and progress towards the publishing of his book. We look forward to having some of the Florida clergy and seminarians with us for Holy Week.

May God bless you for a wonderful Lent. See you at Stations, and maybe even at Vespers!

–Bishop Dolan

Read about Bp. Dolan’s most recent European trip.

Bishop’s Corner

We started this Lent in the cold dead white of Winter. The Holy Souls, however, provided warmth against the chill by their presence which filled the pews and swelled the congregation, as they drew near to find relief, and speedy assistance by our prayers. May their Spring be in paradise, and our Winter soon ended.

I very much appreciate all of you who made such a successful St. Valentine’s Day Bake Sale, and as well those who literally dug themselves out of the snow Tuesday morning so that the children would not miss their Mardi-Gras, and all would be ready for Lent come Ash Wednesday morning. We offered the Mass of the Holy Face and closed the Triduum before going on to one last pre-Lenten party, which was enjoyed by all.

For so many, however, this Winter has been no party. Some seniors, having no one to dig them out (think of the Poor Souls!) or help them to church, languish at home with holy desires. Meanwhile, one wonders if perhaps all of this ice and snow across the United States is not an editorial comment from the Creator on the already debunked myth of Global Warming. The reality of hell’s incredible heat, and that of Purgatory, “the pain of the senses,” is replaced by a fable. Let us, at least, not be deceived, and dedicate our Lent to rescuing many souls from the real pain of Purgatory’s mystic fires.

The first full week of Lent opens today! Have your plan, your prayers and penances to hand. Pray quietly at home, in your Holy Hours, and here at church, in Holy Mass and Stations. Use the daily devotional you receive with your bulletin for some quiet reflection and prayer each day. Make the Friday Evening of Recollection with us. Pray the Rosary.

Fr. Cekada goes to the seminary today, and Fr. Ercoli has kindly come to assist us. By exception this Sunday we are giving out again ashes, due to last week’s weather. Remember, you who will one day return to dust, to give your good works and prayers to the Poor Souls this Lent. May they lend us something of their flames to warm our hearts with true devotion these days.

God bless you,
–Bishop Dolan

After Candlemas’ cruel promise of early Spring, Winter has come for a second flight. Its severe beauty dazzles us, leaving everything white in its snow reflected light, cold and bright. The world has forgotten what Winter is in its obsession with “global warming.” Our Creator, however, has seen fit to remind us as the Psalmist says, “He made us, and not we ourselves.” Let us then praise God again for ice and snow, and do our best to get about His business each day, as weather permits.

Still, Spring waits at the door. “Holy Spring,” Lent, comes for its annual visit on Wednesday, and surely Mother Nature will not long lag behind Mother Church. The longer days point the way, and we continue to pray for timely relief from Winter’s blasts. Let us ask the Holy Souls to help us with this, and all of our needs this springtime of the soul, which this year we dedicate to them.

Happy St. Valentines’ Day, and an enjoyable Mardi Gras to all, these last days before Lent. Relax and rejoice some before the penance comes, but do be thinking and planning how you will help the Poor Souls come Wednesday and its blessed Ashes. May they inspire us and help us to help them so that for all of us this will be the best Lent, the most charitable Lent, ever.

Fr. Cekada has been working intently on the final touches for his book on the New Mass, the fruit of many years of research and thought and writing. Please pray St. Francis de Sales to bless this work, and render it fruitful for God’s glory.

As usual, ashes will be given out all day long on Wednesday. Be thinking what time you and your family will come to receive this powerful sacramental. Start your Lent well. You will be surprised at what will follow.

God bless you for a blessed Shrovetide.
–Bishop Dolan