A Note From Father Eickhoff

March 23, 2025

Should you ask the question: “what is the goal of the Season of Lent?” A very good answer is the ability to truly pray and believe in the 103rd Psalm as found in today’s Responsory Psalm during the Mass.

 Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits.

He pardons all your iniquities,

Heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction,

Crowns you with kindness and compassion.

The season of Lent is the time to turn to God and to bless Him. We should bless the Lord our God in both our words and our deeds. If upon reflection and self-examination we realize that we do not bless the Lord in word and deed, then we should in this Season of Lent start to do so. So often we focus solely upon ourselves and tune out God to our detriment. So, when we do turn to the Lord then we will realize what the Lord desires to grant to each of us as the psalm describes. God will forgive us of the wrongs we have done to ourselves, to others, and to God. God will free us from the sickness of mind and soul that comes from following our vices into misery and destruction. God will grant to us kindness instead of indifference and cruelty, and compassion instead of egotism and haughtiness. If we can pray the 103rd Psalm with sincerity in both mind and action, then we will have achieved the goal that God wishes for us during the Season of Lent. The goal of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ in all things.

If you want to carve out for yourself some time for prayer, reflection, and self-examination during this Season of Lent then the special 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration is for you. This special event will take place from 12pm Friday, April 4th to 12pm Friday, April 5th here in the church (there will be a one hour break for Stations of the Cross at 7pm on Friday so really it’s 23 hours of Eucharistic Adoration, but I think 24 hours sounds better). There is a poster in the narthex of the church for people to sign up to come to a specific hour. The goal is to have multiple people signed up for every hour of adoration. If you cannot commit to a full hour you are welcome to come and pray before the Lord in the Eucharist for as much time as you are able and whenever you are able.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Stephen Eickhoff
Pastor