I'm not sure how everyone else is feeling about what is happening in Ukraine, but I know that my heart is hurting and that I went to sleep praying for the people there and woke up still praying for peace. Pope Francis says his heart aches over the situation in Ukraine and announced a “Day of Fasting for Peace” on Ash Wednesday.
"During the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine, saying that the threat of war had caused “great pain in my heart.” “Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks,” the Pope said, “increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up,” with many people all over the world feeling anguish and pain.
““Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests,” he stressed. Pope Francis appealed to those “with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.””
*Vatican News
The Prayer of St. Francis reminds us that in order for there to peace on Earth, that we must each be people of peace, that it must begin with us, within our own hearts. I invite you to watch this video and pray the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia.
REMINDERS
*Ash Wednesday Mass and Distribution of Ashes will be at 8:30 am and 7:00 pm on March 2.
**It's not too late to register for our Lenten retreat with Sr. Janet Schaeffler. Here is the link for more information and to register:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2022/01/31/lent-2022-living-an-ancient-season-in-the-midst-of-todays-realities/
***The Synod Listening sessions are coming up quickly! I will be at all three of them, and I hope to see you each at one of the times offered. If you are feeling a little bit uncertain of what the process will be like I encourage you to listen to our latest podcast where Kristyn sits down with 3 of our college aged parishioners to go through a synod listening session. Not only will you find the format reassuring, but you will be amazed at the faith, authenticity, and genuine soul listening of Hannah, John, and Colin.
Listen Here: https://www.blessed-midland.org/bspc-podcast/
Sign Up Here: https://www.blessed-midland.org/for-a-synodal-church-communion-participation-and-mission/
As Catholics we have several songs about Peace that are familiar classics, but today I'm sharing a tune that is new to me and, perhaps, new to you as well. The repetition makes my heart feel at peace, kind of like a lullaby. I hope that you find it to be a moment of quiet and confident stillness in the middle of a stormy time.
I'm looking forward to journeying through Lent with you. Each week of this important liturgical season I will highlight a different "Spiritual Love Language." I think it's awesome how God has more than one way of communicating with us!! It just reminds us that there's NOT one right way to be in relationship with God!!
Wishing You Peace, Today, Tomorrow, Always,
lyn