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March 13, 2022Dear Parishioners,
Our first week of Lent is complete. I hope that everyone’s Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are going well. Do not be discouraged if you missed a resolution or two. Often, we are tempted to give up the race to the finish line of Easter if we stumble early (or late). Instead, simply begin again and ask God’s help. Just like the loaves and the fishes, our Lord can multiply our efforts even at the last minute.
Why do we fast from meat on Fridays in Lent (and Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and during the entire year unless a person performs another suitable penance)? The USCCB gives us an explanation: “Catholic peoples from time immemorial have set apart Friday for special penitential observance by which they gladly suffer with Christ that they may one day be glorified with Him. This is the heart of the tradition of abstinence from meat on Friday where that tradition has been observed in the holy Catholic Church.”
Our Lord suffered and died on Good Friday. As a result, Fridays have always been seen as a penitential day for mortifications. As a season, Lent readies us to participate in the paschal mysteries of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. So, it is appropriate that on Fridays we perform a penitential act to remind us of our Lord’s sacrifice on Good Friday and draw our present thoughts to the culmination of Lent during the Holy Triduum. Likewise, in this small act of self-denial we join Christ on the Cross.
But why meat? Throughout the Church’s history fasting from meat was chosen because of meat’s association with feasts and celebrations. For example, in the story of the Prodigal Son, slaughtering the fattened calf occurred at a special celebratory occasion. Further, prior to our current economic progress, meat was not easy to obtain or affordable, and so to eat meat was considered a treat. As a result of these cultural considerations the Church instructs the faithful to abstain from eating meat. The intention remains the same: for the faithful to give up some earthly pleasure to train oneself to cling to Christ more deeply. I would recommend that the faithful not only abstain from meat on Fridays, but eat simpler meals that day. Our Holy Father asks us to remember those suffering in Ukraine as well in our Lenten resolutions this year. We fast, pray, and give alms as a way to help those in need and stand in solidarity with them.
Last Monday we lifted the mask mandate for students, staff, and faculty at our parish school. Members of the community are still welcome to wear a mask, but they are not required to do so. It was so good to see faces again. I must admit it will take me a little while to recognize people, since when I arrived everyone wore masks.
In October 2021 Pope Francis launched the Synod on Synodality. It is an opportunity for Catholics throughout the world to offer their perspectives, thoughts, and inspirations from the Holy Spirit on the Church. We are currently in the “listening phase” in every diocese of the world. The Church wants to hear each and every person’s voice. With that in mind the diocese has put in place a survey and “listening sessions.” You can find the survey on the diocese’s website by searching for “Diocese of Providence Synod on Synodality.” Last Tuesday I attended a listening session at St. Aidan Church in Cumberland. There are still two more sessions: Monday, March 28th at 7:00PM at St. Mary of the Bay Church in Warren, and Monday, April 4th at 7:00PM at the Cathedral. I encourage parishioners to take the survey and try to make the other two listening sessions in the diocese.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
