It may be hard to believe, but Lent is almost here. Seems like only yesterday we were ringing in the New Year. I hope this has been a successful year for your resolutions, but either way, I want to encourage you to make prayerful resolutions for Lent this year. By living those six weeks a bit differently, with some discipline and sacrifice, we approach Easter with greater aware- ness and appreciation for Jesus’ great love for us.

I’ll never forget when my eldest son graduated from college and started his first job at a construction site, and one of his colleagues asked him what he was going to do for Lent. It caught him off-guard, so he responded, “I don’t know. maybe give up chocolate.” The man responded, “What are you, seven?” That comment humbled him and certainly made me laugh. But it is true; we need to choose Lenten resolutions that are age-appropriate and, as adults, spiritually enriching.

We have a lot of great opportunities at St. Lawrence and Sacred Heart to make 2024 your best Lent ever. We have two programs that I am especially happy to be offering, and I would like to encourage you to join one of them:

No Greater Love is a book and video series that will guide you through the last hours of Jesus’ life and open your eyes to details of Christ’s Passion that you were never taught before. It is fascinating! This 5-week program will lead you to Holy Week and Easter with an enriched appreciation of Jesus’ great love for you. Join us. I promise you will be glad you did.

In this year of Eucharistic Renewal, a great Lenten devotion would be to participate in 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. It includes the book and daily email reflections by Matthew Kelly, weekly discussions, and the opportunity to consecrate yourself to Jesus in the Eucharist at the end. We have three discussion group options: Tuesday AM and Wednesday PM at St. Lawrence and Friday PM at Sacred Heart.

We celebrate the Epiphany and are impressed by the gifts of the Three Kings. For Lent give Jesus an even more valuable gift – the gift of your time, dedicated to knowing Him better.

Scripture: Read Ephesians 1:3-4. What stands out?

Call to Action: See the bulletin ad with the details, then sign up today for either No Greater Love or 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. Share with me your experiences after Easter!