Dear Friends,
As we are now about to begin the second week of Lent, most of you likely have made some Lenten resolutions, which, I hope, will be adhered to far better than most New Year’s resolutions. During Lent, in commemoration of the Lord’s selfsacrifice on the cross, we willingly make sacrifices of ourselves, giving up what we like, giving more to help the poor, and giving more of our time to prayer.
Several years ago, the Archdiocese of Hartford suggested that we “fast” from excessive use of our cellphones, a campaign that was called “IPhone Fast, Will You?” The objective of the initiative was to curb cell phone usage so that more quality time could be spent in face to face communication with friends and family. If you stop and look around, be it at the basketball tournament in the school, on trains, at the mall, wherever, it seems that so many people have their heads down, staring at their phones, texting and reading email, looking at various websites. I have even been in a restaurant where I have witnessed four people at a table, all of them at the same time staring at their cell phones, and paying no attention one to the other. Social media is a good thing, as it can be a means to get important messages out, and keep people connected. It can also be a source of evil, pulling people away from others, isolating them, keeping them from truly human interaction, which first and foremost, demands our time and the investment of our attention, one on one, face to face.
I would suggest that we take a careful look at how much time we spend on our cell phones, the websites we frequent, the things that we say in text messages or emails, and how we interact with others. Do we spend far too much time on our cell phones? Most of us, if we are honest, would admit that we do. During these weeks of Lent, I would suggest that we practice the discipline of detachment from our cell phones, not allowing them to consume so much of our time and attention. Turn them off when you come to church. Don’t take them to the dinner table, and never text or use the cell phone while with others. Give the people in front of you the time and attention they deserve. Whatever is on the cell phone can wait, and if someone really wants to reach us, they will leave a voice message. Use some of the time that you would fritter away on your cell phone for prayer, or some kind of work of mercy.
The numbers of people who came to our parish observances of Ash Wednesday was astounding. There is something about Ash Wednesday and its attraction to so many that continues to mystify me, even after thirtythree years of priestly ministry. Ash Wednesday remains a significant point of “connection” for many people to the Church. That is a good thing, even if we wish that many of those who
come for ashes would come more regularly. The collection taken on Ash Wednesday amounted to $6,483, all of which will be donated to the BethEl Shelter in the spirit of alms giving to help in the work they do for the poor and the homeless. Thank you for your generosity.
Many of you are undoubtedly concerned about the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus. We are monitoring developments on that, and at this time no directives have come to us from the state or local departments of health or the Archdiocese of Hartford. It should suffice that we take precautions, doing so without overreacting or panicking. The best advice is to practice good hand hygiene (wash your hands, use hand sanitizers) and stay home if you are feeling ill. At the Sign of Peace, there is no requirement for actual physical contact. A simple nod of the head with the words, “Peace be with you” suffices.
Have a blessed week!