Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
As we will soon bring our Lenten journey to a close and begin Holy Week, it’s appropriate to assess our spiritual progress during Lent in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Success in prayer comes through discipline, which begins with praying at the same time every day, even if it’s just for a short period. I hope that many took the challenge. I can assure you that praying every day has changed many lives and opened eyes to see God’s presence active in the world. During Lent, I added prayers for many people, especially those facing serious illnesses and death.
Fasting brings to mind the ability to do without for the sake of others. When I was a child, I used to think that you became an adult when you lost your taste for ice cream. I came to that conclusion because my parents, aunts and uncles would forego ice cream, especially when my cousins would be visiting. I realized later in life that they sacrificed the sweet treat so that there would be enough or more for the kids. In fasting and abstinence, we sacrifice in order to join ourselves to the passion of Christ. Further, we often do mortification (giving up something), as our denial of things can easily make us stronger. My basic staples of Cheetos and Twizzlers (cherry) have not been touched throughout Lent. It is not easy, but we can do it. I hope your spiritual character was strengthened in this Lent of 2017.
Lastly, was almsgiving and, as “Love One Another” (LOA) members, we set a task at the beginning of Lent to raise $3,000 to build 10 latrines in the Dominican Republic. Remember, a latrine and outhouse offered the residents a sense of dignity. A bathroom is so common to us that it is seemingly unimaginable that people do not have those conveniences. Yet the latrine, a simple structure, is a blessing to a family seeking a better life. Currently, with a few days and still some time to make a donation, we have raised over $30,000 – which will provide 102 latrines, with some monies left over for toilet paper and air fresheners. There are no vanity mirrors.
Imagine how important those latrines will be to those families. The beauty of our action (just think, I am talking about the beauty of a latrine) is that the generous people who provided the funds did it for their brothers and sisters in the name of Christ.
Our LOA community has established some great charitable projects throughout the years. We collected over 250 unused or unwanted bicycles as transportation for the poor, many seeking to travel to their jobs. We celebrated a shower for the Blessed Virgin Mary, collecting diapers and baby clothes, which were distributed to the Women’s Care Center. Now, we will build latrines for those unable to provide this basic structure for their families.
In the next two weeks, the funds will be distributed to our sister parish, La Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family), in the Dominican Republic. The parish, in conjunction with the local bishop, will select the families who will receive our Lenten gifts and build the latrines. I will ask Fathers Esteban Redolad and Juan Camacho, our priests serving La Sagrada Familia, to send videos and pictures, which we can post on our website, so you can see your gift in action.
My sister, Penny, even donated funds to build a latrine, and asked that the latrine, instead of being a “John,” could be named a “Jerome” (ha-ha).
It’s been a good Lent. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, our Lord has helped us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Note: This blog originally appeared as the April 4, 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.