A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are all close to my heart
Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.
Understanding The Lent discipline of Fasting…
Let us try to understand. First, all Catholics are called to fast for at least two important dates. One is Ash Wednesday and the other is Good Friday. Let us try to understand the details. Fasting, prayer, and helping the poor are the three spiritual disciplines of Lent.
How to Fast for Lent
Images Courtesy of St Joan of Arc Catholic Church Hershey, PA
Why Fasting
Prayer, fasting and giving work as a three-fold conversion practice as we prepare for the joys of the Easter season. Fasting adds a serious edge to your prayer life. It is a prayer practice that involves denying yourself something in order to increase your spiritual awareness, strengthen a commitment, or petition God for something you or another person needs.
Fasting is also about detachment – separating yourself from something that you have become overly attached to. It’s a way of reclaiming your spiritual strength and regaining some balance in your life.
Practicing some denial of our wants and needs in small ways can help us grow in self-discipline and the ability to put off momentary comfort for a larger more important goal.
Fasting should not be misused to gain praise or sympathy, to manipulate, or to harmfully affect the body. Done correctly, it can be a spiritual practice that can take your prayer to a new and different level! It is all about you and your relationship with God.
Who Should Fast
Lenten Fasting
Catholics ages 14 or older do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday. Instead of meat, many Catholics choose to eat fish – which is why many parishes around the country have fish fries on Fridays during Lent. These are great opportunities for a parish community to come together to pray and fast.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Fridays, Catholics aged 18-59 also limit the amount of food they eat. The exemption is allowed for pregnant women and those who need regular meals for medical reasons.
May you all have a meaningful and spirit-filled Lent
Please continue to pray for me. I continue to hold you in my prayers.
God bless you all.
With lots of love and blessing.
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service.
—Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 19, 2026
Many of you have been inquiring about our church tower, when are we starting work and everything involved with it. Some of you are concerned about the financial aspect of it and some of you want to contribute toward it and want to be involved in it. God bless your heart…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 12, 2026
Appreciation and gratitude. I witnessed lots of attendance during the daily Masses, weekend Masses, and even for the Stations of the Cross.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 05, 2026
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Death has been conquered, sin is forgiven, and new life is given to all who believe in Him
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 29, 2026
Holy Week is the most sacred week in Christianity, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s life. March 29 – April 5, 2026. Read on to understand each day’s specific significance.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 22, 2026
Holy Week is the most sacred week in Christianity, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s life. March 29 – April 5, 2026. Read on to understand each day’s specific significance.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 15, 2026
St Gabriel will celebrate 60 years of serving our Community in 2027. We will kick off the celebration with the blessing for the new tower construction and Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Enrique.