St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it -- fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life.

On Ash Wednesday, with dust-like ashes crossed upon our foreheads we were each invited to call to mind that this mortal body, this earthly life, is passing away - sooner than we realize - and that you and I would be wise to diligently prepare for eternity, to get our lives in God-like order: "Remember you are dust and to dust you will return."

PRAY: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

As your Lent becomes dry and weary, draw from this well of Living Water flowing from the stricken Rock. Receive the Holy Spirit.

PRAY: "Glorify the Lord with me; let us together extolled his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 19:15)

The happiest and most remarkable people that I have known throughout my life are those who are totally selfless. Great things: ideas, beliefs, cultures have lived because men and women have decided to die for causes greater then themselves. The countless martyrs of the Catholic Church give witness to the multitude of selfless people, young and old, who have given themselves to the cause of Christ and his Church.

The option or love of preference for the poor. This is an option or a special form of primacy in the exercise of Christian charity to which the whole tradition of the church bears witness. It affects the life of each Christian inasmuch as he or she seeks to imitate the life of Christ, but it applies equally to our social responsibilities and hence to our manner of living, and to the logical decisions to be made concerning the ownership and use of goods.-Blessed John Paul II

During his weekly Angelus address, on February 21, Pope Francis acknowledged the 90th anniversary of the revelations of Christ to St. Faustina.

PRAY: "Let he words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:15)

'Give alms...Pray to your Father...Fast without a gloomy face...' (Matthew 6:1-18)