From the Desk of Father Nathan | February 14, 2021
A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are all close to my heart!
Ash Wednesday | The Beginning of Lent
“Repent and believe in the Gospel”
“Repent and believe in the Gospel” is the captivating sentence as we begin the holy season of Lent. For any Roman Catholic Church, the suffering the death of Christ is the mystery of our faith. Our faith revolves around this.
Symbolic Meaning of the Ashes
Ash Wednesday opens up the season – ashes from the palms of the preceding year’s Palm Sunday are burned and blessed. With these ashes, the priest marks a cross on the foreheads of worshipers saying “Remember man that dust thou art and unto dust, you shall return.” (– Genesis 3:19)
Besides showing sorrow for their sins those who honor Ash Wednesday add an additional meaning the need to prepare for a holy death. Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday and is chiefly observed by Catholics although many other Christians observe it too.
Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us.
Today as the ashes are applied to a person’s forehead these words are spoken: “Remember that you were dust and to dust you shall return.” Alternatively the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel”.
Ashes also symbolize grief that we have sinned and caused division from God. Ash Wednesday is not directly mentioned in the Bible, however, from Biblical times, sprinkling oneself with ashes has been a mark of sorrow for sin. Several times the Bible mentions people repenting in dust and ashes for example Esther 4 1 Job 42.6 the inhabitants of Nineveh Jonah 3:5-6 and Daniel 9:3-4.
Repentance in dust and ashes often accompanied fasting during Biblical times.
As we begin the holy season of Lent let us plunge into the mood of this meaningful season. Let us get into the shoes of Christ. Let us commemorate the suffering and death and resurrection of Christ. We shall pray the Stations of the Cross in our parish.
May God bless you all!
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,
With love and blessings,
—Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 26, 2025
With joy and gratitude, I am pleased to share the wonderful news that the city has officially approved our Church Tower Project! This long-awaited step marks a new chapter in the life of the parish – a visible sign of faith, unity, and hope rising among us. At the same time, we look forward with great anticipation to the Diamond Jubilee…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 19, 2025
I want to inform you that I will be going on my annual priestly retreat this week. This is a time for me to step back from the busyness of daily ministry, to rest in the Lord, and to listen more deeply to His voice in prayer and silence.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 12, 2025
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima | Monday, October 13. —join us for Mass & after we will gather together to pray a special Rosary, which will be offered for the intentions and well-being of our country
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | October 05, 2025
World Mission Sunday | Sun, Oct 19, 2025
—”Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples”
Growing up as a child is still very fresh in my memory. When I think of the month of October, I think of World Mission Sunday. In my childhood community, there will be lots..
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 28, 2025
World Mission Sunday | Sun, Oct 19, 2025
—”Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples”
Growing up as a child is still very fresh in my memory. When I think of the month of October, I think of World Mission Sunday. In my childhood community, there will be lots..
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 21, 2025
A sacred space for soul-to-soul dialogue with our Lord Jesus Christ. Silence in the church is not an empty quietness—it is a sacred stillness where we allow God to speak to our hearts.