The Bishop’s Note
Our pre-Lenten season, which is called Septuagesima, begins today. In olden days, during Septuagesima, Catholics began giving up certain types of food each week until all dairy, eggs, and meat had been cut out of their diet completely and the full Lenten fast had begun. Today, our fast is not nearly as difficult, especially here in the United States, where our meals are not restricted to a certain number of ounces as they are in Europe. Although there is no need to begin fasting today, this very short season is still meant to be a time of preparation for Lent, and a time to ease into the penitential season. Start making your resolutions and planning out the sacrifices you will make, the virtues you will work on, the vices you will give up, the books you will read, the daily Masses and Stations of the Cross that you will attend. The Lenten theme that we will follow in our daily sermons and in our weekly bulletin is the life and writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori. This theme will provide everyone with more than enough material to choose from.
Many families have been sick lately, but Lucia, I hear, is doing quite well. Still, it will be a number of weeks before she is able to come back to Mass. Please continue your prayers for her. Margaret Walz, a young lady from Brooksville, Florida, has been quite ill for over a year now and has recently undergone several surgeries and procedures. The last word I received is that she is doing better than she was, but still has a long way to go to complete recovery. Keep the prayers going. We will remember them both in our Sorrowful Mother Novena which began last Friday and continues through most of Lent.
Bishop Nkamuke took me on a virtual tour of the place where he resides in Nigeria when we were having a video conference the other day. It is quite a nice place, guarded by two German Shepherds. He has three minor seminarians who, at the time, were busy trying to finish their homework before it was time to turn off the generator for the night. With the donations you gave him back in January he was able to begin the project of installing solar panels for lighting. They have not arrived yet, but all is ready for when they do. Bishop’s car has been totally repaired, and the engine for Fr. Ojeka’s car was completely overhauled. It was good to see His Excellency, and to see the work which he has been doing.
Wednesday’s surprise birthday party for Fr. McKenna’s 40th was really a lot of fun. A lot of people came to attend Mass beforehand, which was very nice to see. Father had no idea that there was going to be a party. This is almost miraculous, considering the number of people who knew about it. The slideshow was particularly… um…interesting. Actually, there are many, many stories behind each of the photos!
Certainly, there must be more news than this, but I have to sign off for now. May Our Lady grant you a good preparation for the coming Lenten season!
– Bishop McGuire