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 On Wednesday we set out in a great caravan of pilgrims to cross the Lenten desert, to the "Feat of Feasts", to the "Night of Nights", to the Easter Vigil, to Passover!
No one survives in the desert alone. We must stay with the caravan, keep close to the community, and stay with the word of God.
Resist the temptation to turn Lent into a time for pursuing your own individual, personal holiness.
God wants to make Passover with a people, not just a person. So think in terms of US, not simply in terms of ME.
Come! Be part of the community, the caravan, and take your place among God's people as Lent begins this week.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy of the Word & Imposition of the Ashes
8am 12:30pm 6pm 8pm
The ancients believed that 14th February was the day on which birds (of the feathered variety) began mating. Later it became the feast of Saint Valentine, a 3rd century martyr. Somehow these two things came together and young people decided that this was a good day to choose your "Valentine", the person you wanted to marry.
This tradition was already taken for granted by Chaucer, writing in the 14th century. Sending Valentine's cards began with the Victorians and the introduction of the postal service.
Today, without being superficial, we can remember all those for whom Saint Valentine's Day will be important in their relationship, all those who have the joy of knowing that they are someone's true valentine.
But we will not forget those who feel alone or unloved; those who fear that the chances of marriage and a family are passing them by; those how have the agony of loving someone who does not love them in return; those who hoped for a valentine, but did not receive one and those who have been rejected, jilted or crossed in love.
Today 14th February is Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Tiger. We extend New Year greetings to all our Chinese parishioners and friends.
Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. The Lenten alms box is in the church porch.
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