How will you journey with Christ this Lent? As we approach the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday,
March 6th, I invite you to make this a special time to RENEW your spiritual life. We have mailed a Lenten spiritual guide entitled The Magnificat Lenten Companion to all registered families. Each day, there is a short reflection, a prayer and a suggested penance. As you reflect daily with this guide, know that you are joining with others in our parish community and the universal Church in prayer and penance. We are all companions on the journey as we follow Christ on the way to Calvary. I also invite you to participate in the many programs and Sacramental opportunities that we will be offering during Lent. A complete listing can be found to the left or by visiting annunciationorlando.org/lent. This year we will be highlighting the THIRD Week of Lent with speakers and community activities.
Please remember that there are three traditional pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Our focus on prayer can range from a brief conversation with the Almighty, an effort to learn and pray a Catholic devotion (the Rosary or Chaplet of the Divine Mercy), remembering a special person or need each day, or stepping aside from our hectic schedule and spending a quiet moment with the Lord before we leave the house or rest for the night. Fasting and abstinence are important disciplines that serve as acts of penance and remind us of the poverty (spiritual and material) that abounds. Almsgiving is a reminder of our baptismal commitment to support works of charity with a genuine care and concern for others. These three pillars lead us to draw nourishment in our lives from an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord.
Please know that your presence, prayers and support are a true blessing to our parish family. Thank you for being a companion on the journey of Lent 2019. Over these 40 days, I will especially pray that you have moments of peace to Discover Beauty, Understand Truth and Inspire Goodness. We may not see each other each day but may we meet each day in our prayers.
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.
Pastor