Well, this Lent is going like a bat out of ____!  We are already at the fourth week of Lent, Palm Sunday is two weeks away, and Easter is three weeks away.  The weather of the past week reminded us that it can still get cold, and that warm weather is not a shoo-in.  Neither is heaven!  We live each day as a gift from God, and try to make it the best day of our lives.  We live for the future—spring following winter, heaven following this life.  The only problem is that there are bumps in the road!  We must keep moving forward to get ahead, and not let the bumps stop us or discourage us.  We are still alive and have hope.  That is why we keep reminding ourselves and you that Lent is a big opportunity for all of us to be strong in faith, hope and charity, to get to heaven.

Reminder!  Come to the Soup-Supper/Speaker event on Monday.  Sister Biri is great and challenges us to think about our own lives, finding God in our daily lives, and assuring ourselves of His presence and help at every moment of our lives.  So often, we hear from the children and others:  “You did not tell us, or ask us”.  I doubt if we will be able to use that excuse when we come to the judgment seat of God.  Please come for your own sake!

Thanks to all who have supported the Catholic Services and Mission Appeal so far.  We are still short of our goal in participants by about 50 donors.  Please try and get your gift in as soon as possible.  Make it over a period of time, and it will not be a set-back to your budget, and will enable the Church of Belleville to do much good for its various ministries and services.

There will be a second collection these Sundays until, and including Easter, to help the poor.  Part of it will be to support our local St. Vincent de Paul Society, and part will go to help in the wider diocesan program.  Make checks out to the parish, and we will forward a single check to destination.  If you want to mark your contribution number of your gift, we will register it.

Don’t forget our Lenten Mass on Wednesday evening at 5:30 P.M., and the Stations of the Cross and Benediction on Fridays at 5:30 P.M.  It is gratifying to see the number of persons who have been making the special sacrifice to attend these services.  Also, the number of persons attending morning masses has increased, and is a great example to the school children when they attend.  Thanks to all who are making this Lent a very special Lent in their lives!

Fr. Abraham and I are hearing Confessions today and next Sunday for the PSR students after the 8:00 A.M. mass.  Our Parish Penance Services will be at Holy Childhood on the 12^th  of April, St. Nicholas in O’Fallon on the 13^th, and St. Clare of Assisi in O’Fallon on the 14^th.  We ask you to make plans to receive the Sacrament so that Easter can really mean a NEW LIFE or NEW BEGINNING in your spiritual life.  Many will have to admit that they have not received this Sacrament in years.  It also means that we have missed many an opportunity to gain the graces we need to better our lives, and let Christ fill us with his goodness and love.  Lent is here to help us repair and renew our faith.  We must do the work, and let God help us get to heaven.  Neither God nor we can do it alone!

LENTEN REGULATIONS

Each year the Lord Jesus calls the entire Church to a special season of penance and renewal. As we begin this holy time of Lent, we should reflect on our need for conversion of heart, prayer, charitable works and Penance.

1. All Catholics who are 14 years of age and older are to observe the penitential practice of abstinence which consists of refraining from the consumption of meat. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.

2. In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed by all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years (inclusive). Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting.

3. On days of fasting and abstinence, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed.

4. If a person is unable to observe the above regulation due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition.

5. Because Lent is a special season for all Christians, we should not lightly excuse ourselves from these penitential practices.

6. To completely disregard the law of fasting and abstinence is seriously sinful.

7. Pastors and parents are encouraged to see that children who are not bound by the obligation to fast and abstain are led to appreciate an authentic sense of penance.

Parish School of Religion

Director: Marilyn Byrne

¨ April 5:  Eucharistic meeting for 2nd grade families at 7:00 PM in the church.

 PSR Director :  Marilyn Byrne   566-2958

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION