First Sunday of Lent

03-09-2025Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In today’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus is led by the Spirit out into the desert where He is tempted by Satan. Jesus will not be distracted by the devil’s efforts to thwart His mission. Jesus came to proclaim the Good News: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” As disciples of Our Lord, we know that God, through Christ, has defeated Satan. Even though the devil remains active in our world today, we know a day will come when all evil will be destroyed forever, and the rule of Satan will be replaced by the Kingdom of God.

Understanding that the battle between good and evil is real, Lent is the perfect time to examine how we are fighting the enemy who is looking for ways to lead souls away from Our Lord and into darkness and despair. What spiritual weapons do you have to help you? What resources do you look to for strength? How are you strengthening your resolve to be a faithful disciple of Christ? Do you spend time in adoration of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament? Do you look to Our Lord truly present at every Holy Mass? Is the Rosary part of your daily prayer? The Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion are the most powerful Sacraments that are given to us by Our Lord to strengthen us in the battle between good and evil. Our Blessed Mother is here to help you grow in holiness.

One of the favorite targets for the devil and his demons is the family. Destroying families is one of the enemy’s greatest works and he is quite effective. He can be very subtle. The devil wants you to hold on to past family fights. He wants you to become bitter towards those who have hurt you. Lent is the perfect time to ask yourself if there are relationships that need healing. Are there angry emotions that have been festering for years that continually complicate relationships with your family or friends?

Perhaps this Lent would be a good time to ask Our Lord to deal with the hurt by asking Our Lord to help you to understand the issues and then to heal you and your family. Lent is the perfect time to speak to the people who are wounded in your family and encourage them to find a path to forgiveness. If you and your family can take even one step towards forgiveness, it will be a greater blow against Satan’s power than if you had decided to give up chocolate for Lent.

Forgiveness is not always easy, especially if you have been hurt very deeply. Offering forgiveness does not mean the other person gets away with something and it certainly does not mean the person is free to continue to hurt you. Forgiveness from the heart can take time and prayer. I pray you will take the first step in fostering a heart of mercy. May our Patroness, St. Bernadette obtain for each of us the grace to one day meet God face to face and may Our Lady be our solace and guide in every endeavor, joy, and trial! And may the Holy Eucharist be our wisdom and strength!

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline