Lent

As you know, in a sense Lent serves as the Church’s yearly retreat.  It is a time for us to reflect on our continuing renewal and on the dying and rising of Jesus while we pray for those preparing to enter the Church at Easter.  It is a season of hope since we work at being a better people by Easter.  In this way, we can better renew our baptismal commitment this Easter.  We can celebrate the new life that is within us as we renewed ourselves during Lent.  In this way we can become the people God calls us to be all the more.

The Sacred Tripod

During Lent, we are to fast, to pray, and to give alms.  We refer to these three practices as the “Sacred Tripod.”  They help us to address the relationships in our lives.  Fasting helps us to get in touch with ourselves.  Prayer deepens our relationship with God.  Almsgiving helps us to see that we have an obligation to each other, especially the needy.  In this way, we may journey to Easter with our minds and hearts renewed.

The Missions

We are fortunate to have a letter from Father Rich Wehrmeyer, C.M. who is one of our missionaries in Kenya.  He thought you’d be interested in knowing just how far your support of the Association reaches.

Almsgiving in support of the missions is a traditional Lenten practice.  I urge you to make a Lenten mission gift to help support Father Rich and the many other Vincentians who serve in the mission fields.

A Servant of God

Many times the example of holy people can encourage us in our growth and renewal as Christians.  I invite you to read about one of the newest of the beatified of the Vincentian Family—Sister Giuseppina Nicoli, D.C.

This Year’s Pilgrimage—Paris and a Cruise on the Rhône and Saône Rivers

This year’s pilgrimage includes a seven-day river cruise through Provence in Southern France.  Then we will spend a few days in Paris which will include a visit to the Chapel of the Apparitions at rue du Bac.

We will remember you in our prayers at the various churches and shrines along our way.  It is always a pleasure to have you participate spiritually in our pilgrimages.  We, of course, would rather have you along with us to visit all of these special places.  Remembering you and your intentions along the way is the next best way of your being there.  Send us your intentions for the pilgrimage.

Online Gift Shop

We are offering two lovely gifts with this issue of our Newsletter.  The first medal is a Silver-Plated Cross and Miraculous Medal.  It is a symbol to express your faith and prayer.  Our second medal is an exquisite Sterling Silver Floral Miraculous Medal.  The symmetrical design nicely surrounds the medal with two little flowers and a scrolled leaf pattern.  Just click on the link to visit our online Gift Shop to order these and other fine religious articles.

Monthly Giving Program

To help keep the Association’s administrative costs to a minimum we have a new Monthly Giving Program that makes it possible for you to add an automatic charge to your credit card, or a debit to your bank account on the 10th of each month.  This allows more of your donation to go directly to the works of our Lady’s Association.

A Member’s Legacy

I invite you to read about a member’s legacy and her final gift of love to the Association through her estate.