What are we going to do for Lent, which begins today?

It’s a question we’re all encouraged to ask ourselves. Each year, we approach this pivotal season in Christian life seeking to deepen our faith in Jesus Christ and to ensure that our way of life conforms to Gospel values. As we approach the Paschal Mystery of Christ, we embark on this 40-day journey that brings us to the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ into which we have been baptized so as to receive new life.

What are you doing for Lent? I would like to make a few suggestions, based upon three traditional practices (praying, fasting and sharing) that are mentioned in the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday. From the outset, Jesus told us to be discreet, for these practices fall within the realm of our personal, intimate relationship with God. They also help to free us from a sense of busyness, over-consumption and self-centredness, three temptations with which we are often confronted.

Praying. It isn't easy to make time for prayer. We like to be active, on the go, productive, accomplishing all sorts of tasks. We may even feel ill at ease when we are not thus occupied. It may appear that we are not doing anything while praying, and we may even be tempted to turn prayer into an activity. However, prayer helps to put our busyness in check. It takes some determination, I know, to set aside time to be calm and remain silent, the necessary requirements for prayer. Such conditions help us to have a deeper experience of communion with the Lord and to feel more comfortable in his presence.

Fasting. When we think "fasting", we automatically think "abstaining from eating," but we need to develop a broader perspective. Fasting is a way to free ourselves from the grip of over-consumption. We must remain vigilant to recognize the difference between what we truly need versus what is nonessential. Lent is an ideal opportunity for us to evaluate the impact that over-consumption imposes on us and, if necessary, to adopt a simpler lifestyle.

Sharing. The Christmas season with its charity drives wasn't that long ago. Our donations and acts of goodwill, however, didn’t answer every need for help, once and for all. Lent reminds us that sharing is an attitude of the heart and the soul, which keeps us mindful of the needs of others and ready to come to their aid. We think of monetary donations, of course, but there are also other ways of sharing, which include listening, lending a hand, and doing volunteer work. These ways of sharing get people involved and are a way of remembering Christ, who, by the act of washing his disciples' feet, made himself servant to all.

Praying, fasting and sharing: three ways of participating in Lent, while encouraging us to develop healthy-forming habits for Christian life. I wish you a Lent filled with joy, the joy that comes from encountering Christ and from entering into deeper communion with him.

+ Jean-Claude Turcotte
Archbishop of Montreal

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APPOINTMENTS IN THE DIOCESE

DIOCESAN

Abbé Jean-Chrysostome ZOLOSHI, répondant diocésain auprès des fidèles d'origine africaine, sans préjudice de ses autres tâches.


PASTORAL ANIMATION

PARISH

Mme Isabel BARRERA, agente de pastorale sociale à N.-D.-du-St-Rosaire, Ste-Cécile et St-Vincent-Ferrier;
F. Roger BÉLISLE, s.c., agent de pastorale sociale à Notre-Dame, St-Jacques, Sacré-Cœur-de-Jésus, Ste-Brigide, St-Pierre-Apôtre et St-Eusèbe-de-Verceil;
Mme Ariane COLLIN, agente de pastorale sociale à St-Ambroise, St-Arsène, St-Édouard, St-Étienne et St-Jean-Berchmans;
Mme Conceptie GERVÉ, agente de pastorale sociale à N.-D.-des-Neiges, St-Joseph-de-Mont-Royal et St. Kevin;
M. François GODBOUT, agent de pastorale sociale à St-Benoît, St-Isaac-Jogues, St-Paul-de-la-Croix, St-Antoine-Marie-Claret, Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens et La Visitation-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie;
M. Norman LÉVESQUE, agent de pastorale sociale à St-Maxime, St-Martin, St-Pie-X, St-Léopold, St-Ferdinand, Ste-Dorothée et St-Théophile.


FABRIQUE ADMINISTRATION

Renewal

Mr. David GEDEON, vice-chairperson of the assembly of fabrique of St. Brendan.

February 14, 2012
Msgr Michel Parent, V.É.
Chancellor

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Rite of Election for catechumens, taking place February 26, 2012, at 2 p.m.
at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral.

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Youth Ministry

See details of the various activities.