Preparing our Hearts for Lent
Written by our Pastor, Fr. Juan Carlos Paguaga
Dear Friends,
Blessings!
As we prepare to enter the holy season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, the Church gently invites us into forty days of grace, a sacred time to return to the Lord with open hearts and renewed trust. Lent is not about looking back with guilt, but about looking forward with hope, allowing God to shape us anew.
At St. Agnes Church, our mission is to walk humbly in God’s presence through prayer, service, and evangelization, always placing Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last. Lent gives us a beautiful opportunity to live this mission more intentionally.
Lent is a season to prepare the soil of our hearts, so that the Word of God may take root and bear abundant fruit. To help us, the Church offers three powerful and life-giving pathways: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These are not mere obligations; they are invitations to transformation.
Through prayer, we draw closer to the heart of the Father. Set aside time to be with Him and to listen. Whether it is a few extra minutes each morning, time before the Blessed Sacrament, or praying the Rosary as a family, let this Lent be a time to rediscover the joy of being known and loved by God.
Through fasting, we gently let go of what clutters our hearts and distracts us from the Lord. We fast not only from food, but also from noise, negativity, impatience, and habits that keep us from becoming who God calls us to be. Fasting creates room—for grace, for healing, and for true freedom.
Through almsgiving, we open our hearts to others with concrete love. When we give our time, our attention, and our resources, we imitate Christ, who gave Himself completely for us. Let this Lent be marked by generosity, especially toward the poor, the lonely, and those who feel forgotten.
Dear brothers and sisters, Lent is not meant to burden us, but to bless us. It is a season to allow the Lord to work within us, to make amendments in our lives, and to guide us toward positive and lasting change. God does not ask for perfection, He asks for availability.
Let us walk this Lenten journey together as a parish family, trusting that God is already at work in our hearts. May we be found on good ground, ready to receive the love of Christ and to reflect that love into our homes, our parish, and our world.
In Christ,
Fr. jc
