Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What is different about Ash Wednesday this year than other years? It lands on Valentine’s Day! Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Church’s penitential season and Valentine’s Day is a celebration of the appreciation of those we love. How do we reconcile the two? In one sense, Ash Wednesday begins our journey to the great sacrificial act of love – the cross. Although Valentine’s Day is depicted with a heart, it is the cross that demonstrates God’s unconditional love for us.
 
Valentine’s Day takes preparation. We think about something which might convey that we care, and then we write cards, and send candy or flowers. This says that you are thought of, appreciated, and loved.
 
With Ash Wednesday, we begin our preparation instructed by the Gospel of St. Matthew. We are told to prepare by prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This is our statement that God is important, appreciated and loved.
 
In prayer, we communicate to God, and it’s important that we not only speak to God from the heart, but also listen to Him. Many pray daily, but during Lent, we can increase our prayer by adding a few more minutes to go to Mass during the weekday. I have encountered several people who tell me that daily Mass changed their lives. Prayer is our Valentine card to God.
 
We fast according to the law of the Church, but more importantly, we deny ourselves what we could have to demonstrate our willingness to sacrifice for God, recognizing Jesus’ acceptance of the cross out of love for us. In fasting, we state that we can do without anything but God, who is the source of all our love. Our self-denial is candy to God.
 
Our almsgiving is our willingness to share the blessings God has given to us to further and support His love of our brothers and sisters in need. In the past, our Love One Another Lenten Almsgiving has built latrines and wells, supported American Indian Missions, and more. This year we will concentrate our almsgiving in support of Catholic Family Missionaries from Wisconsin who are serving the mission in the backcountry of Peru. Taylor and Katie Schmidt and their seven children are from the Diocese of Green Bay and their original home is Brillion, Wisconsin.
 
I contacted Bishop David L. Ricken from the Diocese of Green Bay, and he conveyed how proud he was of the dedicated name of the mission, which reflects Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, and the family’s witness and willingness to evangelize and assist the poor of this jungle region – it is not easy.
 
The Schmidt family first lived in a tent. Their hardship was all a sacrifice to serve, building the Catholic Church in the poorest of areas. Their sister, Olivia O’Keefe, is a member of the Order of Catechists for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She was the one to first inform me of her brother’s work when I attended World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia (2015). Taylor had a booth explaining the work that his family was pursuing on behalf of the poor of the Peruvian community and the Catholic Church.
 
Pope Francis directs that all of us should be missionaries, and our obligation to carry the mission entrusted to us by Jesus. Many of us will not have the ability to go forth ourselves, but we can support those who carry the torch on our behalf.
 
This Lent, I am asking our LOA community to support the Servants of the Good Help (https://thegoodhelp.com). I pledge $1,000 to support the cause. Recently I installed Fr. Jordan Berghouse as pastor of St. James Parish, Mukwonago. After Mass, a gentleman came up to me and said, “I have something for the needy.” I told him about the Servants of the Good Help, and he donated $100. I know that God will bless him for his generosity; those donations are flowers to God.
 
If you wish to join me in the LOA Almsgiving, please make your check payable to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee – Peru and send it to Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Attn: Kim Kasten, P.O. Box 070912, Milwaukee, WI 53207. You may also donate online at https://archmil.givingfuel.com/servants-of-the-good-help. Throughout Lent, I will give you a report as to our progress.
 
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, knowing that I love you, you love me, and together, we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the February 13, 2024, "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.