Very Rev. Thomas J. Serafin, VF, KCHS
Lent, 2024
Dear Members of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church,
In one of the first plays I saw, ‘Oliver!’, the orphan Oliver bravely asks for more food, which so bothers Mr. Bumble that in disbelief of the boy’s boldness he bellows, “MORE?!?” I must confess that when I receive requests to DO MORE or GIVE MORE, with suggested increases for MORE than what I gave in the past, I want to bellow, “MORE!?!” However, the Psalmist reasoned:
“How shall I make a return to the LORD for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the LORD.”
[Psalm 116:12-13]
We sing this Psalm at Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord Supper, when the Eucharist was first instituted; Jesus and His Apostles sang this Psalm at the Last Supper, as our Lord prepared to give everything – even His life – for us. Jesus continues to give Himself to us through the Sacraments, becoming our brother through Baptism, Confirming us, Forgiving our sins, blessing our Marriages, Anointing our infirm, and Ordaining our leaders. As we enter the final phases of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival, we rejoice how He enters us in Holy Communion. By comparison, whatever MORE we are asked to give in return is, indeed, insignificantly miniscule!
There is still time to DO MORE this Lent: walk the Stations of the Cross; go to Confession on Sunday, March 10, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm;and, above all, take part in the spectacular events of Holy Week; our website and the reverse side of this letter has all the details. We are also asked to share our blessings with those in need – through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal [go to diometuchen.org for details] – through Catholic Relief Service’s Rice Bowl and other charities – and through our weekly support of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
We, as a Parish, have so much to be grateful for; while much of our world is in chaos and crisis, we live, for the most part, in peaceful security, able to practice and express our Catholic Faith without fear of persecution or harm. What MORE will each one of us do this Lent and Holy Week to show the Lord – and our brothers and sisters throughout the world – that we are truly thankful for all that God – through His Church – continues to offer to us?
In His holy Name,
Very Rev. Thomas J. Serafin, V.F., KCHS
Pastor