As we enter into our second full week of Lent, we continue our journey of metanoia (repentance). We seek to “change our minds and hearts” once more by turning back to the good news of the gospel. We continue to embrace the reality of our need to examine our lives and seek Christ in a deeper way each week.
 
Last week, we began our Lenten series on Forgiveness: A Journey from Hurt to Freedom and I began by walking towards the “first cairn of this Second Mountain” namely, to become more self-aware of our need for forgiveness in our own lives. One of the critical steps to understanding unforgiveness in our lives and why we remain so hurt is to better understand what forgiveness is not and what really is in terms of faith and the biblical notion of forgiveness. To that end I have a helpful list from William Meninger of what forgiveness is not:  

• Forgiveness is not forgetting.

• Forgiveness is not condoning.

• Forgiveness is not a form of absolution.

• Forgiveness is not reconciliation.

• Forgiveness is not done for the offender.

• Forgiveness does not release the offender from all obligations.

• Forgiveness is not a pretense.

• Forgiveness is not once-and-for-all event or action.

• Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness.

• Forgiveness does not entail a loss of face.

• Forgiveness does not dissipate all the feelings of anger immediately.

• Forgiveness is not simply a brutal act of the will.

 Forgiveness is:

• Forgiveness is a process.

• Forgiveness is a form of realism.

• Forgiveness is done for oneself.

• Forgiveness is setting oneself free to live in the present.

• Forgiveness is no longer wanting to take revenge on our offenders.

• Forgiveness allows us to accept inner peace.

• Forgiveness is choosing freedom over captivity.

• Forgiveness allows us to realize that we are more than victims of abuse and injustice.

• Forgiveness is a decision that we have done enough hiding, suffering, and hating.

• Forgiveness frees us from painful memories and destructive impulses.

• Forgiveness recognizes that wounds can heal.

• Forgiveness recognizes that the scars which are left behind can become even stronger than the original tissue.

• Forgiveness is a sign and a cause of positive self-esteem.

• Forgiveness allows us to love ourselves again.

• Forgiveness is discovered when we allow the healing to take place.

• Forgiveness is not something that we do directly but is something that happens to us when we choose freedom.

• Forgiveness helps us to be creative and enter into life-giving relationships again.

• Forgiveness gives us both a power and a freedom over ourselves and over others.

• Forgiveness divests oneself of the desire for revenge and retribution.

•  Forgiveness takes time.

• Forgiveness is a personal decision to step out of the “prison cell of unforgiveness.”

• Forgiveness is a process that has clear stages.

• Forgiveness puts us on the journey to a joyful heart.

 
If you have not yet watched the first session, I encourage you to do so. Then come and join me for the second in the series this Tuesday at 7:00 pm, March 2 on YouTube. I also invite you to join me on Wednesday at 7:00 pm, March 3, on Zoom for Questions and Answers. Lent is about going on a journey of renewal and healing. Come join us on a journey of the heart and set yourself free!
 
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan 

THANK YOU for Our Beautiful Environment During Lent

We want to extend our gratitude to the Environment Committee. The church, the chapel and the outside worship space are sacred areas that have been enhanced by the efforts of a small, but dedicated group who create an environment that bring us peace and joy as we come together as a community to worship.
 
Special mention and appreciation to Joe Eder, Elizabeth Montgomery and their family for creating a mobile display that we have enjoyed at Christmas with the Nativity and now again during Lent.
 
Each Liturgical Season, our senses are treated to the beauty our team creates with the help of Victor and Baldemar. If you are interested in becoming involved in these efforts, please contact Beth Moeur bmoeur@stsimon.org or Maryanne Quincy mquincy@sbcblobal.net.
 
We’d like to share with you some photos from Ash Wednesday and our Environment.
Ash Wednesday 2021 Photos
Lent Environment Photos 2021

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Lent is a call not just to “give up something” but more important to “give something for the poor.” Wherever you live in the parish, there are poor families within walking distance of your home. When in need, they ring the rectory bell. They are, in effect, ringing your doorbell. Your donations St. Vincent de Paul will help the poor to celebrate the grace of God’s love this Easter.