Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Rosalie and St. John Bosco Parishes and School,

I greet you with the words of  St. Paul to the Galatians: Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever!

It was quite uplifting to see the numbers attending Mass and receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, and the uptick in attendance at our Masses on the First Sunday in Lent.  It was a special blessing to see so many more of our children with their families at Mass.

Once again, I mention that attending Sunday Mass as a family would be a great Lenten practice as well as receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a family during this Lenten Season. Great example for our children and grandchildren.

Some other possible Lenten practices for those who have not chosen a practice or for those who might want to do a bit more.

1) Pray the Rosary as a Family (daily, Wednesdays-Fridays, Sunday or ________________)

2) A Daily Examination of Conscience before retiring for the night…thanking God for all the good you were able to accomplish, saying sorry for the times we slipped up, and asking God for the grace to do better tomorrow and in the future.

3) Reading a chapter a day from the Bible.

4) Take ten minutes a day to read a biography of a saint or another spiritual book.

5) Take up or finish reading the parish’s Christmas gift book to you “What to say and how to say it.” If you didn’t get one, limited copies are still available. If you are homebound ask a family member or your caregiver to pick up a copy for you.

6) Attend the daily 7:00 a.m. Mass more frequently and invite a family member or friend to go with you.

7) Check out the Wednesday evening  Adoration (7:00-8:00 p.m.) and invite a family member or friend to attend with you.

8) Join with other parishioners in Church, Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m., for the Stations of the Cross.

Remember this Lenten Season:  

God loves you!
Fr. Mark