ear Parishioners and visitors,

As we all know, this coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season. A period of 40 days; a penitential time; a time of turning away from sin; a time of preparing to celebrate, with joy and faith, the great Feast of the Lord’s Resurrection, that is, Easter Sunday. The three pillars of Lent are: prayer, fasting, and alms giving. The USCCB tells us that during the Lenten Season, “we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting.”

During Lent we give something up-watching TV, desserts, our favorite libation. But we also should add something, do some- thing extra that will help us grow in faith and become better disciples of the Lord. We might for instance, attend the Stations of the Cross, attend our Parish Penance Service, pray the Rosary, volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Society, attend the parish Prayer Group, or donate to a worthwhile charitable cause. There are many things that we can give up for Lent, and many things that we can add for Lent. Think about what you will be giving up for Lent. Think about what you can do extra for Lent. However, set reasonable goals. Don’t try to do too much or to lessen too much. Be realistic in choosing your Lenten sacrifices. The most important thing is to do something. Just don’t think about it but act upon it.

Masses on Ash Wednesday, February 18, will be celebrated at St. Ann at 8:30AM, 12:00 noon, and 4:00PM. Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe at 5:30PM. Ashes will be distributed at each of the Masses. Please remember the guidelines for fasting and abstinence. Fasting is one full meal and two smaller meals (that does not equal a full meal) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence involves not eating meats on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is for those between the ages of 18 and 59, while abstinence is for all those 14 years of age and older. Both of these practices are ways for us to grow in spiritual discipline and to do penance.

Have A Great Bethany Beach Week!
Stay Safe! Stay Healthy!

1

During the Lenten Pilgrimage, I would encourage all of us to make use of the Blessed Michael McGivney Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Whether it’s a short or an extended visit with our Lord, it will be a time of peace, calm and joy. Time with Jesus is never wasted time. “Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them.” St. Peter of Alcantara

2

This coming June I will have completed fourteen years as Pastor here at St. Ann. I have to say in all honesty that serving here has been a great privilege and a source of great grace for me. Our parish and our community is composed of so very many wonderful people who give so much of themselves to make this both a wonderful parish and a wonderful community. In the past almost fourteen years, we together, have accomplished a great deal. To name just a few: the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel; the expanded Our Lady of Guadalupe parking lot; the new and improved Delaney Hall kitchen; the beautification of the St. Ann Sanctuary; the founding in our parish of groups like the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus, and Walking with Purpose.

I have to say that you, not only talk the talk, but you also walk the walk. As we continue to move forward with our Feasibility Study for the Parish Center, I ask for your prayers that all that we do and all that we say may always be for the glory of God and the building of His kingdom here on earth.

Prayer for Vocations

O God, hear our prayer and our cry. Bless the
Diocese of Wilmington with many vocations to
the priesthood, religious life, and permanent
deaconate. Give Your sons and daughters the
confidence to accept Your call and the love to
follow always in the footsteps of Your beloved
Son with courage and dedicated to Your holy
will.

Amen.

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