Lent 2026: Renew a Steadfast Spirit Within Us

Lent 2026: Renew a Steadfast Spirit Within Us

Each year the season of Lent invites us to dive deeper into our faith. This season is one of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It reminds us that our faith is meant to be lived and that we are blessed on the journey of life to walk with a God who uniquely knows what it means to be human. In Jesus, God became human and in Lent, we sit with our own humanity and draw closer to the Living God who longs to be in deeper union with us.

That union is beautifully captured in the paschal mystery of our faith—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus— that we remember especially in the Triduum. Yet, before we can come to these momentous days of Holy Week and Easter, we must first make our annual Lenten journey.

This year as a Collaborative our theme for this Lenten journey comes from Psalm 51: “Renew a Steadfast Spirit within Us.” (Psalm 51:12b)

Fridays in Lent: Stations of the Cross and the Sacrament of Reconciliation following the 9:00am Mass at St. Paul

Fridays in Lent: Stations of the Cross and the Sacrament of Reconciliation following the 9:00am Mass at St. Paul

Deepen your union with Jesus and God’s people in the Lenten practice of Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross fosters communion, teaches humility, strengthens our faith and hope and provides perseverance in suffering.

Restore your friendship with Christ and His Church through the power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our celebrants will be available to hear your confessions immediately following daily Mass on Fridays.

Adult Faith Enrichment: Lenten Bible Study Concludes

Adult Faith Enrichment: Lenten Bible Study Concludes

This past Tuesday marked the completion of our Lenten Bible Study on Women in the Old Testament. Thank you to the group of 25 that gathered for discussion and connection – learning about women far and wide in the Old Testament. From Eve and Esther to Woman Wisdom and Judith (and with lots of women in between) this group shared the joy of engaging scripture together during this season and sharing faith in the process, all the while discovering the beauty of our faith, ever ancient and ever new! 

Stay tuned for more opportunities for Adult Faith Enrichment in the coming months!

Question for the Fifth Week of Lent: In what ways have you been prone to judge and condemn those around you?

Question for the Fifth Week of Lent: <i>In what ways have you been prone to judge and condemn those around you?</i>

The Scribes and Pharisees are eager to condemn the woman in today’s Gospel without considering the ways they themselves fail to live in accordance with the law. Jesus compels them to self-reflection.

In what ways have you been prone to judge and condemn those around you? Are your judgments related to the ways you fail to examine your own conscience effectively? 

Question for the Fourth Week of Lent: Is there an area in your life that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy?

Question for the Fourth Week of Lent: <i>Is there an area in your life that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy?</i>

The parable of the Prodigal Son invites us to consider the relationships in our lives and the extravagant love of God that is offered to each of us. Whether we are lost or found, Jesus says to each of us “you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31)

Is there an area in your life (a relationship, feeling, emotion, or habit) that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy? What would it mean to let God embrace this area of your life?

Watch Monday Evening’s Taizé Prayer and Reconciliation Service

Watch Monday Evening’s Taizé Prayer and Reconciliation Service

Monday night’s program featured outstanding sacred music, scripture, and poetry that spanned the ages of our Catholic tradition. While these elements were woven together, participants were guided into prayer and contemplation surrounding their personal Lenten journey. After, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available to all who wished to receive it. 

The ensemble included Kelly Meraw and William Endicott, and several parishioners served as readers of sacred scripture and poetry along with Fr. Jim and Sister Colleen. Fr. Bryan, Fr. Gabriel, and Fr. Lesley were also on hand to participate in the service and offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  

Many parishioners remark that this evening is one they look forward to all year, because the opportunity for prayer, reflection, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation has become an important part of their personal Lenten journey…

Friday, April 11 at 5:00pm: “Evening for Women” Lenten Retreat at the Sisters of St. Joseph Spirituality Center

Friday, April 11 at 5:00pm: “Evening for Women” Lenten Retreat at the Sisters of St. Joseph Spirituality Center

All women of the Collaborative are warmly invited – dinner will be served and carpool arrangements are available.

WITH FACILITATOR SARA MILONE
Steeped in Jesuit education, Sara received her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, a M.Ed. from Loyola Marymount University, and a M.Div. and Post-Master’s Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Her areas of ministry experience include high school campus ministry and education, parish youth ministry, college and young adult retreats, hospital chaplaincy, adult faith formation and spiritual direction. 

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