Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

As the noise and merry making from Fat Tuesday “Mardi Gras” subsides, our attention turns to the 40 days of Lent. This is the season of prayer and penance that challenges us to incorporate our actions into the salvific journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, His suffering, the cross and the resurrection. 

Whenever we embark on a journey, we prepare ourselves. Sometimes that means studying the terrain, examining the major points of interest and making sure we are physically capable of completing the travels.

On Ash Wednesday, we will receive ashes in the form of a cross on our foreheads. It is a sign of our willingness to journey through Lent. The Gospel gives us the road map that we must travel to Calvary, and it is Jesus Himself in Matthew’s presentation who tells us that the course of our journey will be through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Prayer should always be a part of our daily routine, but during Lent we intensify our prayer life by deepening our relationship with God. For some, daily Mass will be added to their schedule, for others, additional time for adoration, and still others the rosary or the reading of Scripture. We often take our most intimate relationships for granted. Prayer reminds us of just how blessed we are to have the love of Christ present in our lives.

Fasting and abstinence are established by the Church given one’s age. This action strengthens our relationship with God. In addition, I offer for your consideration modification. It is an ordinary understanding to give up something during Lent. We intentionally deny ourselves something we can “have” or “do” in order to strengthen our will and unite us to Christ. Through our union with Christ’s sufferings, we are in “solidarity” with our brothers and sisters in need.

Almsgiving offers us the opportunity to share our blessings with others in and for Christ. In the past, our LOA community has raised funds for “latrines” in the Dominican Republic, and “water well projects” in Ghana. This year, I am asking you to consider a donation in support of the mission activities of Fr. Rod Ermatinger, who pastors six parishes on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Helena, Montana.

Our Native American brothers and sisters are in need of our support. See a photo gallery by clicking here. The parishes are compromised of over 12,000 Native Americans, many of whom are baptized Catholics, in roughly 3,000 square miles. Being an economically challenged community, there is also a high incidence of alcohol and drug addiction.

Fr. Rod is assisted by a permanent deacon and a religious brother. Last year, Fr. Rod officiated at over 130 funerals (six in four days alone!) and over 200 baptisms. The parishes in the reservations depend almost exclusively on outside contributions.

Pope Francis has asked us to recapture our missionary spirit by carrying the message of the love of Jesus to our brothers and sisters. This year’s Lenten almsgiving gives us the ability to be missionaries right here in our backyard.

There is a connection of Fr. Rod to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; his brother is Fr. Cliff Ermatinger, who is well-known as a spiritual resource to bishops, pastors, and laity. His sister is also the Honorable Beth Hanan, former board chair of Catholic Charities.

I cannot exempt myself from this worthy charitable cause, so I will begin by personally pledging $2,000 to our almsgiving collection. Please prayerfully consider joining me!

Donation instructions -
Write a check out to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Write in the check memo: Lenten Campaign

And mail to:

Archdiocese of Milwaukee
C/O Kim Kasten
P.O. Box 070912
Milwaukee, WI 53207   

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving – our Lenten road map for our Journey with Christ to Calvary. The end of our journey is everlasting life with Him. It is a reminder to us of how much our God the Father loves us and, through His Son, reminds us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.    
 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the February 22, 2023 "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.