St. Teresa of Avila once said, “There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world.” Since pride is often at the root of many of our faults and sins, which we strive to overcome during Lent, I invite you to make growth in the virtue of humility a particular focus by praying this prayer attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930). May this prayer and your efforts to grow in humility make a significant difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.

This Wed, Feb 22 is Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent. I encourage you to start your Lenten journey celebrating Mass that day. Masses will take place at 8:15am, and 6:00pm. In addition to Mass, our church will be open to welcome all people from 6:00am to 8:00pm, during which time they will be able to receive ashes, go to confession, or spend time in prayer alone before the Blessed Sacrament of Eucharist displayed in the chapel or pray/chat with a Stephen Minister who will be available to provide support to anyone who might need to talk. We’ll have several different pamphlets and books available for you to take and use for your personal prayer and reflection.

I came across these quotes from different authors that I thought I’d share for your reflection – mindful of what our community has been experiencing these last couple of weeks.

Members of our community here in Duxbury and beyond have been devastated and heart-broken at the news of what has happened to the Clancy family who have been our fellow parishioners, neighbors and friends: Pat, the husband and father, children – Cora, Dawson and Callan, all of whom are now deceased, and their mother, Lindsay, who remains hospitalized.