02/25/2009
from the Kennebec Journal
BUDGET CUTS ORDERED
Many happy returns in Richmond
Tax woes land on Whitefield
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
Youths talk Turkey Day
Plenty of free Thanksgiving meals available
Turkey prices make for happier holiday
Kennebec County Superior Court
POLICE
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Staff Writer
Five times during the 40 days of Lent that begin today, Joseph and Susan Richards will host evening prayer and reflection meetings in their Winslow home.
They and perhaps five or six guests recite the Gospel, pray together and reflect. They began doing it last year, Joseph Richards said, in response to a call from their church, St. John's Catholic Church in Winslow.
"It's an opportunity for us to share our faith with others in the community," Joseph Richards said Tuesday, on the eve of Ash Wednesday.
The couple started their Lenten journey with a prayer meeting Tuesday night at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Fairfield, and will begin their weekly meetings tomorrow night.
"We revisit the roots of our faith, and improve our participation," Richards said. "It's a new beginning."
Catholics, Lutherans, members of the Orthodox faith and members of the Anglican faith are among those who observe Lent. They follow Jesus from his adult ministry through his suffering during Holy Week, his crucifixion and death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.
For Christians, Lent is therefore a season of soul-searching and repentance.
"It puts you in a mood of awareness," Richards said. "Christ fasted 40 days and 40 nights to prepare himself. This is just a small thing that we can do to walk with him."
Joseph and Susan Richards skip two meals a day during Lent and, as the Church asks, they go without meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays.
"We try to minimize what we eat," he said. "We fast. On Fridays we might have fish, and a small amount of vegetables."
The Rev. Phil Tracy, pastor of the six Catholic churches that make up Waterville-based Corpus Christi Parish, said the Diocese of Maine wants every parish to encourage Lenten faith meetings.
"The intention was for it to grow this year," Tracy said. "People were supposed to go off into splinter groups."
Tracy said Christians have the opportunity during this special season to examine their lives. It's time to examine matters such as sinfulness, addictive behavior and things in general that we spend time and money on, he said.
"It's a time of spiritual awakening," Tracy said. "A time to prepare for Easter and to remember the real reason for Easter. Can we make more time for God? We're hopefully changed people."
Larry Grard -- 861-9239
lgrard@centralmaine.com
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