A CALL TO GROW...

GRACE
A CALL TO HOLINESS

Archbishop Michael Banach graciously joined us at St Joseph's Parish Church

and after the celebration of Mass we received a Lenten reflection on 

the Call to Be Holy!

His heartfelt talk focused upon five elements of approaching the Lenten season.

His approach was lighthearted and easily received.

He let us know that the child within each of us will be met by God wherever

 we happen to be in our walk with Jesus!

"Our only obligation in loving God is to grow!," he said.

To my mind, that meant constant growth all the way into eternity.

"Growth" he said "is the call to holiness!"

#1. What Does Lent Offer Us?

 A PAUSE... for a little while... to see what is...

To listen to the words and voice of the other...

to look into the eyes and faces of the others...

to see and sense, in that pause, the presence of grace...

to feel the breath of God...

to return to the Father of all Graces...

#2. What Does Lent Mean?
To be washed clean,

A chance TO REPENT...to 

To Renew our faith...

To prepare for a Joyful Resurrection!

#3. TO RETURN with your whole heart!

"But now, now---it is Yahweh who speaks---

come back to me with all your heart,

fasting, weeping, mourning"

Joel,2:12

God is full of love!

Let negligence be washed away!

#4 THE CROSS is the Universal call to holiness and Life!

He said,"Do not be afraid of the Cross he gives us,

discover that cross and carry it with Him"

#5 "KNOW that you are loved!"

"Experience the Joy by offering yourself to others!

Find someone more miserable than yourself...come out

from your own sadness and find Joy!"

SEEK and ASK, he said," What is the GRACE God wants to give me?"

Let God "open the doors to the Grace and the Joy He has in store for you!"

"This day I have given you two choices set before you,
life or death, blessings or curses;
therefore, choose Life that you and your seed may live!"
Deuteronomy 30;19,20