He is risen!  After 40 days of prayer and fasting and accompanying the Lord in his passion and death on the cross, the Church rejoices in his glorious Resurrection.

On the first Sunday of Lent, I had the great blessing of celebrating the Rite of Election with those who are in the OCIA process from all of the parishes across the Diocese.

OCIA, formerly known as RCIA, is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and is for those who are seeking baptism and full communion with the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election is a pivotal moment in the OCIA process, as it begins the final stage of their preparation for the Easter sacraments.  As a bishop, this rite is one of my favorite events of the year.  
 

When Father Jason Keas, pastor of Divine Redeemer Parish, and Capuchin Father Alex Diaz, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, first approached me with a vision of uniting the two parishes into a diocesan shrine, I was touched by the prayerful discernment of these holy men, as well as their humility and charity in being mindful of the needs of each parish as well as the diocese.

We are once again journeying together in the season of Lent.  The liturgy of Ash Wednesday invited us to return to the Lord with all our hearts.  Now, on the First Sunday of Lent, we go with our Lord out into the desert.  

In just a very short time, we will be beginning the season of Lent. Often, in the busyness of our lives, this holy season of Lent can creep up on us. All of a sudden it is Ash Wednesday, and we have done little to nothing to prepare for this penitential season.