Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter.  The emphasis of Lent must be placed on performing spiritual works, like attending the Stations of the Cross, attending Mass, making a weekly holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, taking time for personal prayer and spiritual reading and most especially making a good confession and receiving sacramental absolution. Although the practices may have evolved over the centuries, the focus remains the same: to repent of sin, to renew our faith and to prepare to celebrate joyfully the mysteries of our salvation. Therefore, I am devoting my 40 days to my journey in Christ Jesus...I will be back after Easter...Please  pray for me!  Linda Mary

SPIRITUAL LESSON This Sunday having 30 minutes to kill before I had to dress for mass I sat outside in the beauty of the morning sunlight.  As I sat there I was talking to Papa God in thanksgiving and bemoaning to Him a small problem for I am a firm believer in BUGGING our Lord in all things and circumstances.  As I was explaining my plight a mother with her son passed very slowly in front of my gate.  They were unaware I was sitting there.  What I saw and the lesson it taught me came within the 30 minutes. The mother was disheveled, dress tattered, and hair was stringy and dirty.  She carried a bag partially filled along with a walking stick.  Her emotionless face of suffering hid her age she looks old.  As she walks she was talking either to her son or to herself. Her son around 12 or 13 whose clothing was equally in disarray and dirty.  His curly black hair had long lost it shine and was dull and dusky.  He too had a bag that appeared to be empty and a walking