For me the Readings for this 2nd Sunday of Lent contain several wonderful dialogues or exchanges between several individuals and God concerning Faith and Trusting in God. In the first reading from Genesis, God promises Abram that your descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abram in turn “put his faith in the Lord.” In the Responsorial Psalm the psalmist proclaims his confidence in the Lord. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? In this Season of Lent, can we echo the same “faith in the Lord?” In the second reading St. Paul promises us that Jesus will “bring all things into subjection to himself.” Do we trust that promise? If we need further assurance about who to trust and where to put our faith, in the Gospel reading we have a clear answer: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Lord, as we travel through Lent 2025, please increase our faith and trust in you!

Brother Bill Boslet, O.S.F.

Our Lady of Angels Friary

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” is arguably the hardest thing which Jesus asks his followers to do. I reflect on my own mother, who for the past 62 years of motherhood to her six children has been an incredible listener. When we would come to her expressing our struggles over conflicts with teachers, peers, coworkers, other family members, or even strangers, she always had a calm response. Never angry, she always offered a challenge to see the other person’s point of view: “Perhaps they didn’t understand…perhaps they are going through something…maybe they need some mercy…what can you do to heal this?…” Advice like this can be frustrating to someone who just wants to vent, yell or complain, but what she really has been doing all these years is challenging us to love as God does. God is asking us to see each person we encounter the way He sees them, with the most beautiful, merciful and abundant love of a perfect parent. This Lent may we follow this advice and pray for those who may be a challenge for us at times.

Linda Baldacchino

Saint Francis Prep

As I reflect on today’s readings, several interrelated themes emerge. We see Ezekiel warning that sin leads to death and turning away from it to do what is right and just results in life—a freer, less worrisome life here on Earth and an eternal one in a celestial and spiritual paradise. Sin results in death while repentance brings life. As every person physically dies, but not everyone really truly live in an integrated physio-spiritual sense. We should reflect upon what our predilections toward sin may be in order that we may be more conscious of them, and strive more earnestly during this Lenten season to avoid them. We hear the Psalmist crying out unto to the Lord, out of the depths of his soul, for forgiveness and plenteous redemption. Ezekiel again instructing us in the Gospel antiphon to cast away all your crimes and make for yourselves “a new heart and a new spirit.” By conversion of heart and soul away from so many forms and manifestations of sin, and embracing the better angels of our natures, we are freed from the chains that previously bound us. In the Gospel, Christ continues and focuses the themes of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation upon Anger in particular. As one of the Seven Deadly Sins, it corrodes the souls of those who carry it about within themselves as it robs them of all joy, peace and fulfillment. Our Lord instructs his disciples that if they harbor any anger toward their brother, or vice versa, they should delay their offering to God and go reconcile first with their brother. Only after quenching the fires of anger in two souls and reconciling, should one return to one’s earlier oblations. In the Lenten season, we can reflect upon how all of our human sinful inclinations, if acted upon, lead to harm in one way or another, both to ourselves and usually others. How easily, frequently and speedily anger leads to violence, hatred, and malevolence of all kinds. When the nations rage in anger, there is war and incalculable suffering by untold numbers of innocents. When individuals rage in anger, they poison their own souls and often wreak havoc in the lives of others as well. It is soul-destroying, if left unchecked, nor does it fulfill God’s justice and mercy. So during this time of preparation for our Lord’s sacrifice and salvation at Easter, let us reflect on the traditional Lenten practice of fasting—but a spiritual fasting from anger, hatred, jealousy, and all the real and potential impulses toward sin that these all can portend. Pax et Bonum.

Brother Geoffrey Clement, O.S.F.

Saint Anthony’s High School

Disappointment and loss are part of the human experience. Whether it is the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, we can feel overwhelmed by loneliness even with friends and family to support us. I’ve felt loneliness at points in my life, sometimes it seemed like it would never end. With God by our side, we must be confident that the pain and emptiness will pass with prayer and devotion. By redirecting our energy to our faith, God will shape us to become the best versions of ourselves. Praising our Lord requires commitment by walking the path God has laid out for us. When we are most in need, God provides for us. I think of the poem “Footprints”; we have to believe that God will rescue us from our struggles. When the road ahead is unclear, but we have to trust that God will carry us.

Anonymous

The word of God comes to all of us in many different ways. Rarely is it as straightforward as Jonah or Jesus walking up to us saying, “God said that if you are good, you will be saved”. If we listen carefully and we establish meaningful relationships with the people in our lives, we will hear the word of God come through in our daily experiences. Forgive when forgiveness is not easy, be compassionate when you are suffering, be generous when you are needy and love when you feel unloved. Let virtuous behavior guide you and you will hear the word of God every day telling you that goodness wins every time. Evil has no lasting rewards. Live by the word of the Lord, spread love and kindness whenever possible and savor the rewards and blessings that come your way.

Paul Paino

Saint Anthony’s High School

In this first passage, the Lord speaks of hope. We all experience inclement weather, rain or snow, that may prevent us from seeing the sunshine for days on end. However, the Lord provides us with fertile soil for new growth as a result of the rain and snow. We trust in the Lord’s work and accept that even in the most challenging times our belief in Him will eventually bear fruit. During Lent let us create space in our daily lives to appreciate God’s work through us to create hope in our hearts. “From all their distress God rescues the just.” God walks with us through our journey down every road. The Lord encourages us to turn to Him in times of distress. We trust that God will deliver us from fear, anger despair, and anxiety. After reading this Gospel, I reflected on the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Through the teaching of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches his disciples the tenets of living a life of compassion and forgiveness. Treating others the way we want to be treated by showing respect and demonstrating dignity to all. By praying the Lord’s Prayer during Lent, let us do so intentionally, taking the words to heart and understanding the relationships in our lives and be seekers of hope, joy, forgiveness, and compassion.

Patrick McLaughlin

Saint Francis Prep

What time is it? How often do we ask this question; and if you are a parent or a teacher like me, are asked this, or worse are we there yet? So how do you answer this question? This season of Lent is a perfect time to ponder.To truly be present. In the Book of Ecclesiastes we can get many answers to what time it is…a time to dance, and a time to weep, a time to build and a time to knock down… a time to gather stones and a time to cast them. Lent is known as an Acceptable time, or I would add a time of acceptance of your life, the good, the bad and the ugly. It states in the Gospels, this is a time of fulfillment? When was the last time that you felt fulfilled? Or how does it feel when in this season we are invited to fast and to engage in asceticism, and to reflect on the cross, the pain, the betrayal and the call as Christians to follow me and carry your own cross? We have 40 days to wander and wonder, to prepare for the Passover and the Passion. Lent is the time to realize that it’s always God’s time, it’s God O’Clock, as one of my students taught me. Any moment we realize with our mind, body and soul that the Lord is with us;that there is beauty in the struggle and that there is a season for everything under the Son. God is Good, all the time, and all the time, God is Good. I pray that we can all move past our thoughts and emotions and just be with the Lord, so that we can remember as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are Spiritual Beings having a human experience, not human beings having a spiritual experience.” Deus Meus et Omnia, God is my all, and God is everytime.

Kenneth Wodzanowski

Saint Francis Prep

I am reminded of how the first reading brings images of the present migrant situation to mind and the bravery and trust that would bring someone to go to that length. I cannot imagine the trials of such a trek would impose and the overwhelming thought of starting again in a foreign place would over-power me. Having just moved from a home I knew for twenty-five years is nothing like this… to move from one comfortable place to another does still have its emotional and stressful baggage. Trusting in the Lord is key…it may take some time but with the Lord all things are possible. As the Responsorial Psalm says “Be with me Lord when I am in trouble.” The Gospel recounts the Devil tempting Jesus in the desert…Forty days in the desert is unimaginable…I cannot take a week of hot weather without air conditioning…but with faith in the Lord, again, all things are possible.

Brother Philip Augustine Herte, O.S.F.

Saint Francis Monastery

In today’s Gospel reading, Levi is summoned by Jesus to leave his job as a tax collector – a very lucrative trade – and to follow him into an uncertain future. Yet follow him he does. And the story tells us that he immediately holds a banquet and invites his fellow tax collectors – a hated group among the Jews because they worked for the Romans. Why invite this group of people? Was he wanting to share his joy with everyone? Was he afraid to have the intimacy of a meal just with Jesus? As the first reading illustrates, God promises a lot for giving up a lot. There are no two ways about it. In return for giving up my selfish ways and following my own pursuits, my life will be nourished like a watered garden. Levi is asked to drop everything, leave it behind, and follow the Lord. What am I willing to leave behind in order to share an intimate meal with the Lord?

Anonymous

There exists, I think, a crushing moment in the life of every serious Christian when he finally comes face to face with his brokenness. To see ourselves as we truly are, flaws, limitations, failures, and wounds included, is not pleasant. There also exists, I think, the temptation to mask this brokenness with fast after fast, and prayer after prayer, in the hopes of looking like a Saint. Fasting and prayer has its place within the life of a Christian, of course. Yet we hear today that God is “not pleased with sacrifices” such as this. “A heart contrite and humbled” is what He really wants. The very thing we hide from ourselves, others and ultimately Him is precisely what He desires: our brokenness. Perhaps the Father just wants us to be like little children and let go. He’ll take care of it, if only we would let Him.

Harrison Boyd

Saint Anthony’s High School 

For today’s Old Testament reading, the English teacher in me focused on Moses; contrasting diction in his urgent reminder to make God first in our lives. Towards the beginning, Moses uses positive, God-centered verbs/phrases: obey, loving, walking in His ways, keeping His commandments, live, and grow.  Not always easy, but quite a meaningful and rewarding life living out all the above! Following this though, he warns the Israelites (and us) using self-centered, ego language to stress the repercussions if we put ourselves first instead: turn away your hearts, will not listen, led astray, serve other gods, certainly perish, not have a long life. This Lenten season let us make our choices holy, selfless, life, and blessing filled, as opposed to death and ashes centered. “Heed His voice…hold fast to Him.”

Eric Hafker

Saint Francis Prep

Welcome to Lent !

This morning, I had to reboot my computer and it made me think that is exactly what ASH WEDNESDAY and LENT IS ALL ABOUT. Each Lent we are given the opportunity to STOP and REBOOT ourselves as we begin these Forty Days of Fasting, Praying and Almsgiving. We are called to reflect on our own spirituality and see what we can do better for the Lord. How we can prepare ourselves to become closer to God, especially His Beloved Son, JESUS. I really love this season simply because it allows me to reflect on what I can do to better my personal spiritual life. So, it is NOT about giving up something, it is about gaining something and that something is a closer relationship with Jesus.

Brother David Anthony Migliorino, O.S.F.

Saint Anthony’s High School

Click the following link to see Pope Francis' Message for Lent.

Pope Francis' Message

Last week our schools celebrated Catholic School's Week. Here are some highlights from the week.

Click the following link to read a message from Pope Francis regarding the World Day of Consecrated Life

Pope Francis' Message

The Sisters of Charity stopped by Saint Anthony's to discuss religious life and vocations with the students. We are so grateful for their time and dedication towards spreading His word and inspiring future generations.

On Saturday January 18th,  we welcomed the newly elected members of our Council, who will lead us in our mission of service, faith, and compassion. This new leadership marks a new chapter in our journey as Brothers, and we look forward to continuing our work together for the good of the community. This particular election was both joyous and bittersweet, as we remembered and payed tribute to Brother Gabriel for his life of service and dedication to our community.
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Please join us in offering prayers for our new Council as they guide us in deepening our Franciscan spirit and commitment to our shared calling.

Congratulations to:

Brother Geoffrey Clement, O.S.F. - Councilor 

Brother David Migliorino, O.S.F.  - Councilor

Brother Damian Novello, O.S.F.  - Superior General

Brother Joshua DiMauro, O.S.F.  - Assistant Superior General

Brother Philip Herte, O.S.F.  - Councilor

On December 18, a special moment in St. Francis College history! The Our Lady of Angels Chapel was dedicated to two remarkable individuals, Mary and Frank Macchiarola. Frank, who served as President of St. Francis College for many years, left a lasting impact on the community.

This dedication honors their legacy and commitment to the college and its mission.