Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

There were certain times as a kid that my sister and I would be over-the-top silly, laughing at the dumbest things and causing my mother to wonder about our behavior. She would say to us, “Sure, laugh today and cry tomorrow.” We celebrate Mardi Gras revelry, partying as if there were no tomorrow. Yet, there is a tomorrow, and that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent. The penitential season that calls us to conversion, to change our ways and evaluate how we might use the time afforded to us to grow in our spiritual lives.
 
It is always amazing to me how readily on Ash Wednesday we acknowledge our humanity before our God. People willingly allow ashes to be placed on their foreheads, as it is proclaimed, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” [Genesis 3:19] The cross in the form of ashes is a means of accepting that the only hope for our salvation is found in the sacrifice of Jesus.
 
The 40 days of Lent offers us an opportunity to journey with Christ and the Scriptures. There are three areas that the church offers to us as a means of growing closer to Christ in our journey: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
 
Allow me to suggest some activities for Lent: 

1. Prayer: pray daily! Find a time in the morning, afternoon or evening which is convenient. Be it five, 10 or 15 minutes, do it every day as a discipline. Don’t miss! There are traditional prayers, Scripture, the rosary or even daily meditation books to aid in the completion of one’s ritual. What was the last spiritual book that you read? Perhaps you could add some spiritual reading if possible – a few pages a day – and you will complete a book by the end of Lent;
2. Fasting: the new Lenten regulations for fasting and abstinence make little demand on our lives. Abstinence means no meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays in Lent.  Fasting is one regular meal and two smaller meals (that together do not equal more than one regular meal size) and no snacks in a day, only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Of course, what many add is mortification, meaning in addition, we personally give up something (alcohol, snacks, sweets, etc.). It is a reminder that we can deny ourselves something we desire to demonstrate our commitment to our Lord. We can do without many things, but we can never do without our God.
3. Almsgiving is a sign that all we have is given as gift. We are called to share our gifts with those who are most in need, because God has generously shared His bounty with us. 

Every year, I try and come up with some practical way we can share our bounty as a “LOA (Love One Another) community,” and that our almsgiving have a practical effect. A few years ago, we collected bikes for the poor to be used as transportation to and from work, and later we also held a baby shower for the Blessed Mother, securing diapers and baby clothes.
 
I recently returned from the Dominican Republic and our mission parish La Sagrada Familia. Now, most bishops know they have to deal with c_ _p (you fill in the blanks!!!). However, the bishop of the diocese in the DR literally has to deal with c_ _ p. When we think of homes, we think of plumbing and toilet facilities. However, the homes in the DR are constructed without plumbing and, of course, no toilets. For most of us when we remodel a home, the bathroom and kitchen are usually the most expensive parts of remodeling. Yet a latrine, which can be built for the cost of $300, is beyond the financial ability of families. Having a latrine can bring a sense of dignity to the homeowners and elevate the spirit of the entire community.
 
I propose that as an LOA community, we set a goal of constructing 10 latrines at the cost of $3,000. I will post pictures of the construction of the latrines on our archdiocesan website. This will be a wonderful way to offer dignity to our fellow brothers and sisters, and fulfill our almsgiving during the Lenten season. Please send all donations (no cash, please) to:
 
LOA Latrines Project
C/O Office for World Mission
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
3501 South Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235
 
(If sending a check, please make the check payable to Office for World Mission and write LOA latrines in the memo space)
 
If you have questions, please contact Antoinette Mensah, director of the Office for World Mission, which facilitates the relationship with La Sagrada Familia, at 414-758-2282 or wmo@archmil.org

Why do we do it? Simply because we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the February 28, 2017 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.