“Lent ... is like a long retreat during which
we can turn back into ourselves and listen
to the voice of God ...”
— Pope Benedict XVI
ASH WEDNESDAY 2021

“Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness
of life in us right now.”
— Sister Joan Chittister
Invite Us Deeper
Almighty and ever living God,
You invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus; seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you and those who need what we have to give.
— Author Unknown
Lent is a time of sacrifice — to make sacrifices of ourselves and to remember Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us. Over these sacred 40 days, we will share inspiring stories of sacrifice, as told by our Sisters and friends.
Do you have an inspiring story of sacrifice to share this Lent? Share it here for use in one of the Sisters' future email newsletters.
With Help,
There is Hope
There have been so many people who have inspired me by their lives of selfless giving. One person in particular was Tom, who ran the PERC homeless shelter in Union City, N.J. Tom could have run a Fortune 500 company but chose to devote his entire life to helping the homeless in Union City. Not only did Tom provide for food and shelter but he helped the clients complete forms, obtain jobs and work toward becoming independent. Every time we would bring in a group of youth volunteers, he would give them a tour, speak to them about drug addiction and alcohol addiction and how easy it is to fall from middle-class existence into homelessness. His untiring belief in the human spirit and its resilience to change for the better has been an inspiration to me.
— Sister Frances Marie Duncan, OSF
Living Lent
By Sister Karen Buco, OSF

The days of Lent mean living, sharing
and caring, in faith, hope and love
for people everywhere, at all times
strengthened from above.
Armed with the generosity of Christ
and filled with courage anew,
these days well spent will for us
a new life and spirit renew.



A Lenten Hymn
On this blessed Ash Wednesday, we invite you to listen to this performance of the Lenten hymn Ashes by Tom Conry. The song was recorded live at St. Francis de Sales Church in Ajax, Ontario, Canada.
Upcoming Online Spiritual Programs
February 18
February 18
March 2
March 6
March 13