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 | July 27, 2025
Brazilian Amazon Catholic Mission. The Archdiocese of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. supports 15 vibrant missionary territories with over 400 substations along the rivers and deep within the forest—places that can only be reached by boat.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 20, 2025
The Importance of Eucharistic Adoration. My Story & Faith Journey. As a second and third grader, I went to church sometimes at 3:00 a.m. and slept on the steps of the church to open the church was a routine of my life. I wanted to be an altar server. I wanted to pray the morning prayer at 5:00 a.m. at the church…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 13, 2025
As we journey together in faith, I want to pause and offer a heartfelt thank you to each of you, the faithful members of our parish family. Your presence, prayers and participation in the life of our Church are truly a blessing. Thank you for who you are to the Church—
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 06, 2025
St. Kateri Tekakwithathe first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Born in 1665 in a Mohawk village.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 29, 2025
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Give thanks to God for our freedom. We remember with deep gratitude our Founding Fathers, the brave patriots, and all the visionary leaders …
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | June 15, 2025
According to Pope Leo XIV. To miss Mass without a reason is not a small matter. It is a mortal sin. Mass is the source and Summit of our life as Christians.