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 | May 15, 2022 | Fifth Sunday of Easter 2022
What does the Catholic Church teach on abortion? In the modern “culture of death”, learn the truth about abortion.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | May 8, 2022 | Fourth Sunday of Easter 2022
During May we celebrate Mary. We recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death and prayerfully await the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | May 1, 2022 | Third Sunday of Easter 2022
During May we celebrate Mary. We recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death and prayerfully await the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 24, 2022 | Divine Mercy Sunday 2022
My dear people who are close to my heart! Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all I am extremely delighted and so very grateful to God for His blessing he has bestowed on me with wonderful people here in our parish! I have received so many compliments from various people regarding Holy Week.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 17, 2022 | Easter Sunday 2022
“He is risen! The true meaning of Easter has deep significance e in our lives for us as Catholics. Easter celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Christ is Risen!
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 10, 2022 | Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent. Pray. Fast. Give. + Pray for peace among nations and that our hearts may be free.