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I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Psalm 122:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1:1
"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And he shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5
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Rector's Study
THE OBSERVANCE OF A HOLY LENT....
Dear People of St. Mark's,
This is the issue of "The Lion's Tale" in which I wish to encourage each of you in "the observance of a holy Lent." For so many of us, it would be easy this year to be distracted from our keeping of the penitential season on the Church Year by other concerns that we may think as religious. We may be engaged in additional activity regarding our parish building project, or we may be worrying over its progress. We may find the adjustment to worship in Kennedy Hall as not quite to our liking. Some may even feel a degree of anxiety over the cost of this great undertaking to which the Lord has led us. Add to all of this the typical stress and strain of modern life, and we may begin to feel that we are being swept up in a great storm of uncontrollable difficulty. Our Lord Jesus, once again, speaks his calming word, "Peace, be still."
In the peace of Jesus, we are once again called to engage in the discipline of "self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." As we've done in the past, we are offering special opportunities and materials to encourage us in all of this. On Friday evenings, we will be gathering to make the Stations of the Cross. This time of reflection will be followed by a light Lenten supper and book study, led by Mike Harron, after which the evening will close with the praying of Compline.
Additionally, I want to encourage as many as are able to make attendance at a regular weekday celebration of the Holy Eucharist part of your Lenten Rule. These times of worship enrich and support our regular Sunday gatherings. Many have remarked that the intimacy of the setting the weekday offerings of Mass enables them to hear the Word of God in a deeper, more personal way; and I know that the grace of the Sacrament nourishes and strengthens the soul of all faithful who receive.
For those unable to take advantage of these program offerings at the Church, or for those who simply want something to use in their devotions more frequently, we are providing two particular aids to daily prayer. Some of you will remember our having offered Lenten "prayer journals" a few years ago. These are being provided again this year. Also, I have put together a small prayer booklet for daily use, "A Little Office of Prayer." These may be used by families or individuals at any convenient time of the day. By consecrating a portion of each day through prayer and hearing the words of Sacred Scripture, we call to mind that "we are ever walking in thy sight."
Finally, I want to commend to making your confession during Lent. In our self-examination and our efforts to turn from sin, recognizing our need for God's mercy and grace, nothing could be more assuring than the receiving of Absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you need assistance in preparing your Confession, please call for a preliminary appointment. Then, when you are ready, we will schedule an appropriate time for the rite.
As we enter into Lent and as we continue to respond to the call of God to "Build in the Beauty of Holiness," know that I am holding you in my heart in prayer and remembering you with love and thanksgiving constantly in my prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Timothy P. Perkins  , SSC
Previous Issues:
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
Summer 2006
June 2006
Lent 2006
Advent 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
Summer 2004
Easter 2004
Lent 2004
February 2004
Epiphany 2004
Advent 2003
Easter 2003
Lent 2003
February 2003
Epiphany 2003
October 2002
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