First Sunday of Lent

Dear friends in Christ

We have begun the pilgrimage that is Lent, by receiving the imposition of ashes last Wednesday—the outward sign of our desire for inner conversion and purification. The essence of this holy time—a gift from the Church each year—is so that we may become closer to Our Lord, more committed to His Church and more detached from the passing nature of this life. I urge you to use this Lent as a unique opportunity to achieve with more fervour, all that we should be doing throughout the entire year. There are several helps to our spirituality in these days: the liturgical timetable, reading matter available at the back of church, the various series of Talks you will find published in this Newsletter, to name a few. Above all, try to persevere in what you promise Our Lord and arrive at Easter feeling that this Lent has been a true time of renewal for you.

I remind you to pray this weekend for those from across our Diocese and Parish (fourteen from Leigh) who with their Sponsors are presented to the Bishop this Sunday afternoon in our Cathedral. Also, for our young adults who next weekend will begin their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at Pentecost. May God increase their love and devotion to His Holy Church in this intense time of preparation for the Sacraments. Pope Leo, in his Lenten Message, gives us a simple programme for this time:

Lent is a call to conversion: a call to hope, to trust in God and his great promise of eternal life. Let us ask ourselves: Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded? May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede for us and accompany us on our Lenten journey. 

We can read the full text of the Holy Father’s Lenten Message.

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale