Director's Letter

Dear Friends of St. Anthony,
 
                “Rend not your garments, rend your hearts”
 
       Lent is upon us, sneaking up as it always does reminding us of our New Year’s resolutions that did not stick.  We often use Lent as an excuse to start losing weight or to try to change ugly habits that have crept in over the years.  Now, don’t get me wrong, changing bad habits is always good to do.  By all means, give up sweets, alcohol, fast food, etc…but as St. Paul reminds us “the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).” Lent is not about changing for appearance sake; Lent is about changing for Jesus’s sake.  Our Lenten penances must be a means to the end of greater Righteousness, Peace, and Joy, otherwise they might not really be penances for the sins that drove Jesus to the Cross.
        This Lent, be sorry for your sins.  It’s okay to do!  We are an Easter People! We know sin and suffering are not the end of the story. As disciples of Christ, we should know how to apologize, how to grieve our own wrong doings, how to embrace our own crosses.  Not because we have become convinced of our sins, but because we have become convicted that Jesus has conquered them.  St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Clare and a multitude of saints were all men and women of penance because they knew the Risen Christ and desired to be rid of the things that displeased him.  So this Lent, give alms to serve the poor and to defeat greed in your hearts, fast from eating to learn self-control and strike back at gluttony, apologize to those you have offended to restore harmony and humble your pride, pray in silence to listen to the Lord and quench your anger.  In other words;

“Rend not your garments, Rend your hearts”

 
Peace and Blessings,
 
Joseph White
Director