Why We Should Accept the Call of Lent

Philip Kosloski - published on 02/15/24

St. John Paul II urges us all to accept the call and challenge of Lent, embracing it with our entire being, instead of brushing it off as too difficult.

For many of us, we may want to embrace the season of Lent, but find ourselves at the end of Ash Wednesday already breaking our personal disciplines.

St. John Paul II urges us all to see Lent as an opportunity for growth and to accept it. He reflected on this call during his Ash Wednesday homily in 1981:

Accepting the call of Lent means accepting the call to a particular cooperation with Grace. This call is pronounced with the words of the liturgy, but it must resonate deeply in the heart and consciousness of each of us.

He goes on to say how, “accepting the call of Lent means accepting the call to a particular cooperation with Christ: “Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘At the acceptable time I have listened to you and helped you on the day of salvation'” (2 Cor 6.1-2).

Lent is a time to accept God’s call to conversion, where we evaluate our lives and see where we need to improve, so that we can receive God’s many graces.

Sacrifice and God’s love

Above all, the various sacrifices we make during Lent should all go back to the love of God imitating his sacrifice on the cross:

[T]he cross is revealed before the eyes of our soul, that is, love.
Proclaiming fasting means remembering this Love with all its force! Remember the cross!

Accepting fasting means accepting the revelation of this love: finding oneself in the dimensions of this love-mercy.

Everything during Lent returns to the cross, which is God’s most clear sign of his love for us.

As we go through Lent, may we accept the spirit of prayer, fasting and alms giving and see it as a response to God’s love.

Posted on: April 4, 2020

Important Message to St. Anne Parishioners

The April – May time frame of this pandemic calls on everyone to play their part. Now is the time to bear down hard on this disease because it will save lives, allow our healthcare system to cope, and support our economy. 

We have a personal responsibility to break the chain of this infection. To protect our family, friends and neighbours, everyone needs to stay home, stop the spread, and stay safe.

Limit outings to only essential needs. 

How St. Anne will handle PALM SUNDAY

Some may be wondering if palms will be distributed this weekend. In keeping with the above message to continue physical distancing and to stay home, blessed palms will be available for parishioners when the COVID-19 restrictions are over. This decision was made by the Pastoral Council and supported by Father Peter. We can stay united by celebrating with the entire archdiocese by participating in the online Mass or one of the televised masses. Also provided is an idea of how to celebrate at home.

Another wonderful opportunity presented to us this weekend is a free Virtual Catholic Conference with many great speakers. 

Weekday and Sunday Mass Live-streamed

Please celebrate Palm Sunday with the archdiocesan broadcasts or one of the televised Masses being offered and spend extra time with God that day. We look forward to the day when will eventually be able to come together again.

Masses are streamed live at 9:00 AM daily. https://livestream.com/accounts/17094656.

Holy Week Live Stream Schedule
Palm Sunday: 9:00 AM - https://livestream.com/accounts/17094656
Holy Thursday: 7:00 PM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQI8vptnz1M
Good Friday: 3:00 PM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4NCNMCFXfo
Easter Vigil: 8:30 PM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GoeILGlS9Q
Easter Sunday: 9:00 AM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl0bUThad3s

Posted on: March 24, 2020

Rays of Hope

The sun never quits shining. Sometimes clouds just get in the way.

Your Pastoral & Finance Councils are with you in this uncertain and unprecedented time in our world’s history. We hope that our parish email communications have helped to connect and inform you of the changing directives and restrictions we are experiencing for our St. Anne Parish Community. 

 

The purpose of today's communication, though, is to share some updates and rays of hope and light with our parish family.

 

We are grateful to Father Peter who has been celebrating daily mass for the needs of St. Anne Parish.

 

Groups within our parish have been adapting and continuing to meet through video conferencing as a means to finding ways to accomplish their work and respect everyone’s need for physical distancing. We acknowledge these and everyone’s efforts to stay active in our parish life and support each other:

  • The RCIA Journeying in Faith group continues their faith journey on Tuesday evenings. Please continue to pray for Ray Arscott, Evan Olson and Danelle Hendren.
  • Sacramental preparation also continues. Please pray for Torin Robertson and Ife Obasi.
  • Conquest has set up online forums for some of its teams and many of the boys have been interacting daily to pray the rosary and do a gospel reflection. This forum also provides the boys with an opportunity to discuss and understand the changing world around them.
  • Our Catholic Women’s League Council has been providing ongoing communication and prayers to CWL members, including Stations of the Cross reflections.
  • The leadership teams of the parish (Pastoral Council, Finance Council, COVID-19 Response team) have all been extremely active through email and phone meetings - not only among the teams but also in collaboration with Father Peter - to ensure the parish needs are planned for.
  • Pastoral Council is initiating a Pastoral Care Plan to personally connect by phone with parishioners in an effort to check on how they are doing and whether they have particular needs. Initially this will be targeted toward those in our parish who we do not have an email contact. As you may know the Archdiocese of Regina Samaritan Project has been set up to deliver essentials to those in need. Our connection efforts are meant to support and dovetail with this project where possible. If you know names of parishioners without email contact, please leave a message with the parish office @ 306-586-0449.
  • Due to the closing of the seminary, with blessings and gratitude from Bishop Don and Fr. Peter, St. Anne is offering a home and refuge for Deacon Christopher Juchacz and Deacon Andrew Lindenbach. They will be moving into our rectory this week. We welcome them with (virtual) open arms as they finish their studies and exams in preparation for their priestly ordinations.

Prayers of the Faithful for Sunday, March 22 (4th Sunday of Lent)

  • For God’s protection for all of God’s children, for the health and safety of everyone during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pray to the Lord.
  • For continuous coordinated efforts among individuals, nations and societies as we all work together to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, we pray to the Lord.
  • For healthcare workers and all who are on the front-lines, especially those in positions of vulnerability as they work to serve their neighbors, we pray to the Lord.
  • That in addition to following all the recommendations of the healthcare professionals, we also remember to appeal to God in prayer, we pray to the Lord.
  • For those are sick and suffering, especially for those who are isolated and without help, for their healing, we pray to the Lord.
  • For those who have died - especially our beloved, long-time parishioner, Joan Niesner - for eternal rest for their souls, and for peace and comfort for those they left behind, we pray to the Lord.

 

Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

 

Denise Nelson, Pastoral Council Vice-Chair

Trevor Novak, Finance Council Chair

 

PS. Below is a list with tips when praying along to a virtual mass (also good ideas when making any spiritual communion from home).

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