Grace and peace to you all as we begin this journey of reflection, worship, and prayer over the next several weeks of Lent.

As we approach Ash Wednesday and begin the season of Lent, I particularly wish to give thanks to the parishioners of St. Maximilian for their continued support. It is an honor to continue to serve this special parish community. Stepping into this season, please keep in mind our Archdiocesan Together In Mission campaign that helps so many struggling parishes and schools in our diocese.

On February 22, we have Ash Wednesday and the start of a time of prayer. I invite you to join us in one of our four liturgies: Mass with Ashes will be celebrated at 8am and 7pm and an Ash Wednesday Liturgy of the Word with Ashes will be celebrated at noon and 4pm. Another of our community building Lenten activities you might consider is our Soup and Stations on the Fridays during Lent February 24 through March 31. Soup sharing begins at 6pm with Stations of the Cross following at 7pm. All are welcome and no fee is required. Please see our bulletin or website for more information. Our parish penance service will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 7pm. It is a beautiful reconciliation service with many of our local priests present to assist you.

This Lent I challenge us all to bring our authentic self to our Lord in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Bringing our gratefulness always and foremost, but not forgetting that our sorrow, grief, anger, frustration, hopelessness, all that we have and are belong there too. All our broken selves to His feet. We are not alone; He waits for us to come to Him. Tough spiritual work surely and well worth the effort to relieve our burdens and offer our repentance, receiving His grace for the journey. We do this in preparation and in thanksgiving for the gifts the Lord has given us. All culminating in the deeply profound Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.
I look forward to seeing you Ash Wednesday and renewing ourselves this Lent each Sunday. Wishing you many blessings and thanks.

Sincerely in Christ,
Msgr. Paul Albee, Pastor