I am writing this in between snow storms. Hopefully, the snow will stop before Tuesday, when we will be celebrating Mardi Gras, New Orleans Style. Tickets are still available, just see a Tolton Member for them. And then let the good times roll. I hope to see y’all on Tuesday at 5:30 – 7:30 PM with good food and good company. Just to get you thinking: Where was the first Mardi Gras Parade in the US?
Of course Lent begins on Wednesday. We will have Mass with Ashes at 6 PM. Fast and abstinence regulations are listed above. It is a long standing custom to give up something for Lent. Some common things are: giving up smoking, drinking of alcohol, candy, etc. We give up something in Lent as a penance, since it is the penitential season preparing for Easter. This is like in the Bible when people put on sack cloth and ashes. It is a reminder of God’s love for us, as we give up something to show our love for God. This becomes clear in our Ashe Wednesday liturgy when we are asked to do three things: pray more, fast, and give to the poor. So, let’s celebrate on Mardi Gras and then pray, fast, and give alms for the forty days of Lent.
Stacey Clark is signing people up for the 90th Anniversary Committee. Please see her, if you would like to help out.
There is a new community organizing effort taking shape in Northern Indiana. It is called Faith in Indiana. I have attended three clergy meetings. It is an interfaith organization looking at systemic change for the better. The diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend backs this with groups in Fort Wayne, Elkhart and St. Joe counties. It should develop into a lay led organization to make things better for everyone. If you would like more info on this group, please see me, Father Len. This is a leadership development process. Three parishioners have already shown interest, but we could use many more. As small as we are, we have a big reputation in the city.
I am looking for some help to hang a banner over our entrances in honor of our 90th.
Ordinary Time will only run for a few weeks, since Lent begins the middle of February. Today we celebrate the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Lent starts on Wednesday!
In our first reading today from Leviticus, Moses imposes some harsh penalties on lepers. Can you image walking around and shouting to everyone that you are “Unclean, unclean!” Leprosy was a greatly feared disease. In Moses’ time they knew nothing of germs but felt leprosy was caused by demons who could jump from one person to another simply by touch. A leper was therefore cast out of the community, but there was a process to cast the person out. It was done by a priest, who examined the person and decided to cast the person out or on the other hand to welcome the person back, if the leprosy was gone.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus cures a leper and tells him to go to the priest to be declared clean and welcomed back into the community. But Jesus breaks the law by first touching him, when he was unclean. Jesus breaks down barriers that people put up.
In our second reading, Jesus tells the Corinthians and us: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” He also tells us to imitate him as he imitates Christ. He says he tries to please everyone in every way and asks us to do the same. Pope Francis uses the expression in this way, he asks us to build bridges, not walls.
The National Black Catholic Congress has published a Pastoral Plan of Action. It can be found on their website. Remember that February is Black History Month. Read a little Black History this February. It is a great part of the American Experience.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.