Holy Cross 
Dear Friends,
It has been a while since I have had the opportunity of sharing some thoughts with you in this format and I have missed that opportunity. As I sit down to write this note to you we are in the middle of the season of Lent. As many of you know I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to this season for I truly believe it should be (could be) a season when we spend some time not beating our breasts and saying woe is me, but a time for us to get in touch with what is really important in our lives. It is a time to look within ourselves, but also to look at our relationships, including our most important relationship - our relationship with our Lord. The question for me as I begin each season of Lent is, "What am I currently doing with the time that God has given me?" If I am honest with myself I usually find that God has somehow moved to the back of the line. Perhaps it has not been a conscious thought on my part, but I have allowed other things take up my time such that there is little left for God, so what am I to do?
First and foremost, I must look at my current use of time. What am I spending my time doing and do I really need to be spending it in that way? Second, I need to somehow say if I do not need to be doing such and such, then to act to discard that behavior with an accompanying commitment to fill that space with sacred time with God.
How you choose to use that time is, I believe, up to you. We are all different and what might bring you closer to God might not work for me. The important thing is to try and find what works for you.
For me, I know I cannot choose to do whatever it is I am doing just anywhere. I must find a place that is a sacred place, a place where I can be with God. Your place may be at home or at work or outside; where does not matter nearly as much as that you make that place a place for you and God. I do believe it is best if the place you choose does not have another purpose.
Bottom line is - just do it. However you choose to use this opportunity please do so. I can promise that Easter morn will take on special meaning for you. Speaking of Easter morn, I cannot let this opportunity pass without urging you to put the Easter Vigil on your Easter schedule.
Your servant in Christ,
Dick