February 18, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Years ago, a non-denominational minister I knew asked me why we Catholics “make such a big deal about Lent since it is not in the bible.” It is true that Lent is not in the bible, however we see the number 40 (there are 40 days in Lent) and the practices we undertake in this season used repeatedly in the bible. Before Jesus began his public ministry, following the call of the Spirit, he went out into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days and was tempted by the devil. Jesus gives us the example of spending significant time in prayer and fasting, especially before something important is going to happen or if we need to make a major decision. In the book of Exodus, when God finally freed his people from slavery in Egypt, they wandered in the desert for 40 years before entering the promised land. This time was a time of purification and helping the people to have the right spirit so that they could fully appreciate the good things waiting for them in the promised land. Noah spent 40 days in the ark during the time of the great flood, when God purified the earth of that which was evil. So, the idea of lent has a biblical basis, calling us to prayer, fasting, being purified of our sins and preparing us to have a heart ready to receive the graces of Easter.

Please plan on joining us for our Lenten mission on March 4-5. I have known Fr. Duy Le since he was discerning going to the seminary and have heard him speak many times. He is insightful and his passion for the Lord is contagious.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer

February 11, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Wednesday we begin the holy season of Lent in which we draw closer to the love of Jesus manifested by His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our salvation. In addition to fasting on Ash Wednesday (you might want to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday—the traditional day to feast before Lent began) and Good Friday, we are called to abstain from meat (beef, chicken, pork) on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter. The reason we do so is that these small sufferings remind us of how much Jesus suffered for each of us.

In addition, we are invited to strengthen the disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This Lent consider spending extra time each day in prayer, maybe praying the stations of the cross (feel free to join us for Stations and Soup) or the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary or reading the Gospel accounts about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and all that happened through the time of His death. Fasting or giving up something strengthens our willpower just as exercise strengthens our muscles. The more we do so, the stronger our willpower will be when we are faced with temptations. Almsgiving (if you have not made your PSA gift, this is a great opportunity) allows us to share in the generosity of Jesus who gave Himself to us at the Last Supper and gave us His own mother to be our mother as he died on the cross.

These disciplines are to help us grow in the awareness of God’s love for us, to gain control over our passions and to be grateful for the blessings we have received. I hope you will take advantage of these wonderful disciplines.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer

February 4, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A few years ago, I was visiting a family from one of my former parishes.  In the course of the conversation, they mentioned that they were very frustrated with the education that their children were receiving in the local public school.  The most recent incident was that after the Christmas vacation/winter break the teacher asked the students what the highlights of their vacation were.  My friends’ daughter started to say that she really enjoyed going to las posadas (the novena the nine days before Christmas in which we reenact Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem and being turned away, until finally someone lets them in).  The teacher cut her off and said that she can’t talk about religious things at school. 

My friends stated that they wished they could send their children to a Catholic school, but they knew they could not afford it. I asked if they knew that we have financial assistance through the Pastoral Services Appeal.  They did not, applied to the local Catholic school, and received the necessary financial assistance.  A year or two later, my friend told me about how their oldest son now reads the bible on his own, reminds the family that it is time to pray, and likes going to daily Mass.  This is all possible because you have generously given to the PSA.  I ask that you continue to support the PSA this year.  As I mentioned last week, we have a great deal of deferred maintenance on our church and restroom building ($42,000 in immediate repairs and $63,000 in the first year of deferred maintenance.)  Thank you for your generosity. 

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer