My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My prayers are with all of you as we begin the holy Season of Lent for 2021. I pray that the graces of the coming Lenten Season may inspire you to grow in your faith and in holiness.

May I suggest that during Lent you consider the following for your spiritual growth?

Prayer: Spend extra time in prayer, individually and as a family. Attend the Holy Mass. Pray the Rosary, and join us for exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Stations of the Cross and Benediction on Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. It will begin with exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament at 6:30 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 7:00 p.m. As the Lord asked his disciples, “Can you not spend one hour with me?” Bishop Joensen has encouraged this devotion. Since the Holy Father has declared this a year devoted to St. Joseph, pray his novena for the nine days leading up to his feast on 19 March. There will be an insert in the bulletin. Pray to him often so that he will protect the Church and our parish.

Fasting: Remember that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are Ecclesiastical fast days with only one full meal allowed for those who are able and two partial meals, and they are also to be meatless. Fasting is also recommended on Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent and Fridays are to be meatless. Due to the pandemic, there will be no Fish Fry Suppers this year because of people who would come from all over the city. We hope to be back to normal next year.

Alms Giving: Try and give a little more to the parish to help us stay current with our financial obligations. Since we will not be having the Fish Fry Suppers again, we will lose the income that we normally make on Fridays. Donations to Food Pantries and other charities should also be considered. Contributions to the Pro-life movement would also be a very good idea since the present Administration is setting back many of the advances that were made in the last four years. Millions of babies are in danger of being murdered under the legislation of the land. We cannot be silent or inactive as practicing Catholics until this evil is removed from our society. All life, from conception to death, is precious to the Lord and is his gift.

The MASK MANDATE asked for by the Bishop for all parishes in the Des Moines diocese has been extended until Easter. Everyone is asked by His Excellency to wear a mask while in the Basilica and the vestibule for Mass and any other function in the Basilica. I ask that you please obey the wishes of the Bishop out of a spirit of obedience. We are all subject to his authority. We did well for the Christmas Masses and there is no report of the virus spreading here. His Excellency has allowed

an exception to be made for physical or psychological reasons. Small gatherings and meetings may now be held provided that the precautions already in place are followed. I am hoping that we may be able to start Sunday coffee and donuts again on the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy, first observing Lent in a more penitential and sacrificial manner. This year we are unable to find anyone who can come for Divine Mercy and so I will do it myself. The reception afterward will not be the normal meal, but coffee and donuts.

Please be cautious and stay well. Take seriously the restrictions that have been placed upon us for our good and the good of others, such as frequently washing hands, using hand sanitizer, using masks and social distancing, and STAYING HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL IN ANY WAY OR MIGHT BE MORE VULNERABLE. Let us continue to pray for the day when we will be able to once again gather normally around the altar of the Lord and return to normal parish life.

I will be celebrating my 40th Jubilee of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood on Sunday 16 May at the 10:30 Mass. I postponed it last year due to the pandemic. Please plan to come and celebrate this special event with me. Let us go forward, trusting Divine Providence in all things. May all the Lord’s blessings of grace be yours!

Devotedly yours in the Lord,

(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols

Pastor