Ash Wednesday Message from Bishop Doerfler
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we begin Lent, we find ourselves in deeply troubling times. Jesus told us, “You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place. All these are the beginning of the labor pains.” (Matt. 24: 6-8)
Now is not the time to be afraid. Jesus has a plan. He has won the victory. He will not permit evil unless a greater good will come from it. He promises us, “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” (Matt. 24:13)
The time of Lent points us forward in hope to redemption in Jesus Christ who will make all things new. Let us open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit who longs to make us new. Let us all, you and me, do so through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
We have much for which to pray and fast, and I invite you to join me in offering our prayer and fasting for two intentions this Lent.
First, I join with Pope Francis in calling for Ash Wednesday to be a day of prayer and fasting for Ukraine. He stated on Sunday, “For this reason, I renew to all the invitation to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine. A day to be close to the sufferings of the Ukrainian people, to feel that we are all brothers and sisters, and to implore of God the end of the war.” Let us remember the people in Ukraine throughout Lent and pray that there be peace
Second, Pray and fast for an end to abortion. An organization called Reproductive Freedom for All has recently formed in Michigan. Their goal is to form a ballot initiative to amend the Michigan Constitution to guarantee a right to abortion. Initially, they must gather enough signatures on the petition to put the initiative on the ballot in November. Then, if it is on the ballot, it would pass if only 51% of voters vote in favor. Pray and fast for an end to abortion and the defeat of this initiative. Of course, do not sign the petition and urge others not to sign the petition.
Finally, almsgiving focuses our attention on doing good. Lent is a time for us to examine our consciences, turn away from sin, make a good confession, and do good. Let us take this time to heal divisions, to root out evil that has found a home in our hearts, and to open our hearts to the love of Jesus Christ.
This interior conversion and transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit. A helpful approach is to implore the help of the Holy Spirit, examine our consciences in light of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and strive to make the Fruits of the Holy Spirit more manifest in our lives.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. Imagine how different things would be if the Fruits of the Holy Spirit were more evident in the lives of Christians throughout the world.
May you have a blessed Lent filled with the Holy Spirit.
St. Francis of Assisi
Pray for us!
Our Lady of Fatima
Pray for us!
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend John F. Doerfler, STD JCL
Bishop of Marquette
