January 22, 2012

Dear Parishioners,

I hope I am not jinxing us, but isn’t it great that we have had very little snowfall (requiring plowing and all) since that freak storm on Halloween? As a pastor, much like those of you who are owners of driveways and the like, the savings is most welcome. Having seen 60 New England winters, I don’t miss the snow anyhow, apart from the cost savings. For those of you who love winter sports, I hope lots of snow falls just north of where we are!

I have a book discussion coming up. It will focus on a very easy-to-read but intelligent and wise book by Cardinal-to-be Dolan of New York. See the bulletin notice, and consider taking part. It is only three sessions, and it begins on the evening of January 31st.

This Lent, in many of our Boston-area parishes, Why Catholic? will continue the thrust and method of ARISE to provide us with a wonderful way of reflecting on our Catholic faith. Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Why Catholic takes the Catechism’s four main sections as the major themes of its four “seasons”: sets of multi-week sessions. The first season is Lent 2012, and its featured section of the Catechism is PRAYER. What a good entry-point for parishioners’ getting a chance to explore the Catechism and to share faith — insights, questions, experiences, whatever the participants want to express in the group. The format is quite like that of ARISE, and the program has been designed by the same national team uniquely for our own archdiocese. I recommend it.

As to the topic of prayer, wouldn’t most of us admit that, no matter how much we have learned about the topic, we are comparative beginners at it? So, whether or not you attended ARISE, you are invited to get in on the ground floor with Why Catholic? Your commitment to it during this Lenten season does not bind you to more than Lent 2012′s set of sessions.

Because of its format, Why Catholic? provides a chance to meet with fellow parishioners, and to explore important themes together. It’s a place to share some of the ups and downs and qualms and joys of every day as we live our faith.

Sincerely,
Father George Evans