Letter from the Director

In one of those wonderful coincidences, this year the Season of Lent begins on Valentine’s Day – the day we traditionally celebrate Love. Now “love” is probably not the first word that comes to mind when you think of Lent, but it is one of the most appropriate since Lent is a time to prepare ourselves to accept the greatest gift of love we will ever receive. As it says in the Scriptures: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13). Our Lord gave his life for us and his Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection are testaments of that love.

Our Lenten journey takes us from the desert to the foot of the cross as we explore that gift of unconditional love. We seek out our Lord, and we ask his help. We join his suffering, and we learn to love like him. We live the Gospel, and renewed in our compassion for those in need, we reach out in charity. And it is in this giving of ourselves that we learn to love like Christ, who suffered and poured himself out unconditionally on the cross for all of us.

As you consider ways to express that great love, I invite you to look to the mission lands. There you will find many in deep need of our Lord’s love. Remember, reaching out to others and helping them without question is a way of sharing God’s unconditional love. It is your opportunity to live the Gospel.

My friends, as we begin our Lenten Journey on the Day of Love, may you be transformed in God’s love as you share it with others.

- Reverend Monsignor Terrance Fleming
February 2018