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Dear Reader: Every year during Lent, the Church encourages us to follow Jesus in the great struggle he endured in order to redeem us.
All our thoughts turn to Christ. What consolation we have when we remember him and how he suffered for us! In fact, all that we do this Lent is effective and of value only in union with Jesus who took on himself our sins and the sins of the world. Christ was victorious in the very act of his self-sacrifice—“By your cross you have redeemed the world!”
Because we are one in Christ, his victory is ours. Even now as Lent begins, we cannot help but notice the glow of the Resurrection ahead of us. Jesus triumphs over evil and Satan, and so can we! We too can respond to his call to grow in holiness! This Lenten journey, then, made in union with Christ, fills us with joy and hope.
And in a very real way, this Lent you and all of our Partners also journey in union with those we serve, our brothers and sisters in the faith: men and women in prison and in the armed forces throughout the world, and women struggling with a pregnancy or a past abortion. What is especially wonderful is these men and women are making this journey not just with us in Partners but more importantly, because of Partners. As we in Partners grow in holiness this Lent, so will many of our brothers and sisters. How good God is to let us help them!
52,000 Catholic prisoners receive The Word Among Us.
I’m happy when I receive mail from Partners, especially The Word Among Us. I enjoy reading and learning about our Catholic faith and our awesome Lord Jesus Christ. —Roman, California.
21,000 Catholic service men and women receive The Word Among Us.
Although the Marine Corps strives to provide all the necessities of life in this extreme environment, it is nice to have the spiritual comfort of The Word Among Us. Your gift also represents the love and support of the American people that is so encouraging to the youngmen and women that have answered our nation’s call to do the tough work in Afghanistan. —Chaplain, Afghanistan.
2,000 Women at Crisis Pregnancy Centers and at Project Rachel (post-abortion ministry) receive The Word Among Us.
Thank you so very much for The Word Among Us. I appreciate having these magazines for the Pregnancy Help Center to pass out to our clients, in need. God bless you and your important ministry! —Mary.
In this letter, we also want to assure you that every month, thanks to your generosity, we are able to add the names of military and prison chaplains and directors of women’s programs who have never before received The Word Among Us! They are very grateful for your loving concern. Please know that you are bringing Christ’s love and hope to thousands.
But as you know, there are so many more of our brothers and sisters in challenging situations waiting for their lives to be touched by the truths of God’s unconditional love and mercy. Would you please prayerfully consider making this Lent another opportunity to bring the joy and hope of growing in holiness to others? Many will be blessed by your tax-deductible donation to Partners of $50, $100, $150, or whatever you can afford, which will enable them to receive The Word Among Us magazine.
We particularly want to call your attention to the ease of using our secure Web site for making your donation: www.waupartners.org .
Once again we want to highlight that an important way to partner with us in our outreach ministries is by becoming a monthly donor. Many hundreds of you have already made this commitment. Some send in a monthly check in response to our reminder letter. But increasingly, more and more of our monthly donors are opting to donate by arranging for the money to be automatically deducted from their credit cards. There are no reminder letters! No writing of checks! Donors give $10 or more each month this way.
As in previous years, during this Lenten season, a Mass will be offered for your special intentions at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. For the past two years, you have shared with us on the flaps of the donation envelopes the burdens of your heart. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to stand alongside you in prayer.
Now, together as the Partners family, let us commit during the forty days of Lent to lift up the intentions of one another. Let us pray for children who have left the Church, for those suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses, for those with addictions, suicidal thoughts, financial and/or marriage difficulties, family disunity, divorce, infertility, and unemployment. And as we intercede, let us remember to live in the victory that Jesus won for us and to place our hope in our loving Father.
We both pray that this Lent will be a time of great spiritual blessings, that the Lord will answer many of your special intentions, and that he will fill your heart with hope.
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P.S Please let us know how God has been working in your life this Lent! Please download a PDF of the flyer on “Growing in Holiness”. If you would like a printed copy of the flyer, give us a call or drop us an e-mail.
Would you be able to send me three more copies of the folder that came with your Lenten letter? “Growing in Holiness.”
Thank you.
Deacon Tom Colton
6 Widgeon Way
Waterford, NY 12188