Pastoral Message from the March Beacon
03/01/2022
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Often, we can only visualize and make a reality what we bring to the forefront of our minds. For example, we will not notice red cars on the road unless we specifically are focused on red cars; or, as in golf, one will not hit the fairway if dwelling on the trees, water hazards or sand traps. We tend to gravitate toward what is in our minds as our priority, whether conscious or unconscious.
In a few short days, Great and Holy Lent will be upon us. It is my hope and prayer that each of us has taken a few moments to make our Lenten journeys to Pascha a priority. In each of the following areas, have we mapped out a sacrificial and challenging, yet achievable plan: fasting, praying, church attendance, reading, philanthropy, and silence. Whether one has or has not, there is still time.
With the Assumption being able to open up a bit more from our Covid protocols of the past few years (new protocols on page 5), we have been able to restore many options that can be incorporated into one’s plan:
- “Transformative Christianity Webinar” as request by the Philoptochos (see page 2)
- Lenten Services (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) - see included calendar.
- Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan-Orthodox Great Vespers on March 13 in Nicholasville (see page 2)
- Parish Oratorical Festival on March 20 (see page 2)
- St. Nektarios, “Man of God,” movie on March 21 (see page 3)
- Bellarmine Yard Sale to aid Guatemala (see page 3)
- Blood Donation as requested by the Philoptochos (see page 4)
- “Blessings in a Backpack” as requested by the Philoptochos (see page 4)
Take a moment and plan your Lenten journey in fasting, prayer and any or all of the above opportunities. With a plan, Holy Week and Pascha will much more greatly “explode” in our hearts!
A Blessed Great and Holy to all of you as we prepare for His Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection!
In Christ,
Fr. Jon