ASH WEDNESDAY HERALDS THE CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION.....AND MY SECOND POST AMPUTATION OFFICE VISIT TO DR. COOKSON IN ROSEVILLE...........

The first segment of Ordinary Time for 2011, is behind us, as Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent dawns.  Catholic-Christians throughout the World will today have ashes burnt from the holy palms of last year's Holy Week imposed upon their foreheads as a sign and sacramental of personal and communal repentance for their sins.  The Ashes of Lent also underscore a commitment to return the focus and fullness of our lives to Gospel Values and to the relinquishing of the selfishness of sin present in our actions and attitudes as Believers in God of the Universe and Disciples of Jesus the Christ.  Here at Mercy General, Mass will be celebrated and Ashes imposed at a 8 a.m. Mass, which will be telecast to all patients from the Chapel.  The people of OLOL Parish will be celebrating Ash Wednesday, with a supply priest at 8 a.m., and 7 p.m. .  After this morning's Ash Wednesday Mass, breakfast, and hopefully, my morning p.t. session I have an 11 a.m. appointment in Roseville, with Dr.  Cookson.  Ted Dahlberg, my beloved fellow parishioner and friend from St. Rose's in South Sacramento, is my driver today.  The volunteerism and self sacrifice denoted by generous acts of charity and compassion, be it those who have so selflessly stepped up in my present need, to provide for those things athis stage of my Rehabilitation, I cannot  do independently; or taking the time these Lenten Days will challenge us to share with others who are in need or marginalized, to step up and minister to them, by pro-actively giving back something of your time, talent, and treasure, to serve others.  Giving something that pleases you, a favorite food, activity, or enjoyment, the traditional Lenten practice is commendable - but Doing Something more to concretize your answer to the Call to Continuing Conversion, is an even more important part of the self -giving this Season of Repentance and Renewal represents.  As you open your Lenten observance what will you do to give back and atone for your sins of selfishness between now and aster ?  Prayer, Fasting, and Acts of Charity, all of us must embrace to generously and selflessly keep the spirit of Lent.  Make theAshes you receive today truly count in your life and in the lives of others, as you enter into and experience thisacred Season and Serve God's Greater Glory And The Common Good...........Happy Lent,   Fr.  Troy