SSMI Lenten Novena Letter 2013 – English

<div><img src=”/images/M.jpg” border=”0″ width=”207″ height=”122″ align=”left” />March 2013</div><div> </div><div>Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,</div><div> </div><div><span class=”Apple-tab-span” style=”white-space: pre”></span></div><div>This year the story of “Zacchaeus” was left out of the pre-Lenten Gospels in the Liturgical calendar, and I felt a little cheated.  I love Zacchaeus because he didn’t let the fact that he was a man of wealth (no matter how he got it) and had a certain social position or a certain standing among the people, stop him from stepping out of character when he had the impulse to “see Jesus.”  He simply had to see Jesus and open himself to the invitation of grace and repentance.  When he did, he was never the same again.</div><div>  </div><div>The Great Fast (Lent) is a wonderful time for us to experience our “Zacchaeus moment.”  It is a moment we must all earnestly pray for.  Like Zacchaeus we need to “desire” Jesus to be a part of our everyday lives, not just on Sunday or when we are praying for a job or for healing for our loved ones.  Lent gives us the opportunity to let go of our comfortable life by praying more individually and as a church family,  by fasting and by charitable giving, to help us reconnect with Jesus.</div><div> </div><div>As we prepare for the journey of the Great Fast or Lent, we Sisters Servants invite you to add your needs, joys, and sorrows, to our prayer intentions by using the enclosed form.  We also invite you to join us in prayer during the Lenten Novena which is from March 19 – March 27, 2013. May you experience your “Zacchaeus moment” and open yourself to the invitation of grace and repentance during the Great Fast (Lent.)</div><div>Sincerely in Christ,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sr. Kathleen Hutsko, SSMI                             </div><div>Provincial Superior</div><div><br /></div>