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.
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
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 | May 22, 2022 | Sixth Sunday of Easter 2022
As a Catholic, we do profess every week that….I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, and the Communion of Saints….Saints are, our
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!