THIS LENT, FR. PAT INVITES YOU TO ‘FAST AS YOU CAN’
As we look ahead to Ash Wednesday on February 22, we are prayerfully pondering the special prayer, fasting, and we can do as a Chalice family. Fr. Pat, founder and president of Chalice, offers a small reflection and invites you to Chalice’s 2023 Lenten offering: “Fast as You Can”.
At Fatima, Mary said, pray for the conversion of Russia, not its condemnation. Why? Conversion, not condemnation, brings peace to our world.
Even though Rome was the enemy of Juda, destroyed the Temple, and devastated the entire country, the early disciples did not condemn Rome or rise up against it like the Zealots. Instead, following Christ’s injunction to love our enemies, they converted Rome! Conversion, not condemnation, brings peace to our world.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, I began to fast and pray every weekend for the conversion of Russia and for peace for Ukraine. This Lent I am inviting you to join me in the fast for the conversion of Russia, peace for Ukraine, and an increase in holiness for ourselves.
Remember, all conversion starts with ourselves. We must always be the first to open our lives to the influence of the God’s Holy Spirit as shown to us by Christ Jesus.
If you join in this “fast as you can” Lent, we may be surprised by the gifts, the graces, the Holy Spirit will give to us and through us give the world. As Pope Francis once encouraged, “Let the Holy Spirit surprise you.”
Keep an eye out in our February e-newsletter for a sign-up link and more information about Fast as You Can. When you sign up, you will receive a weekly email throughout Lent. Each email will feature a video with a series of guest speakers reflecting on the Catholic Church’s rich tradition of fasting and prayer. The emails will also include a special prayer, and we will pray for each other’s intentions as a Chalice family.
We will offer more information about the ‘fast’ in our next e-newsletter. Please be assured that you do not have to fast from food to participate in this Lenten offering.