Lent and Easter 2026

The journey of Lent now brings us to the Cross. All the steps of the season lead here. Prayer, fasting, charity, mercy, and conversion come together as we walk with Christ into Holy Week, trusting that love will have the final word.
    Lent now brings us to the Cross. The Gospel slows down and tells the story step by step. We see betrayal, fear, silence, and suffering. The crowds change quickly. Friends become distant. Yet through every moment, Jesus remains faithful. The Cross stands at the center of this week, not as a sign of defeat, but as a sign of love that does not turn away.
    Palm Sunday begins with joy. Branches are raised. Voices shout praise. Yet the same story leads us toward the Passion. This movement reminds us how quickly the human heart can change. Lent invites us to stay close to Christ not only in moments of celebration but also in times of struggle.
    The Cross teaches us to see love in a new way. Jesus does not answer violence with anger. He does not defend Himself with power. He walks forward with quiet trust. Many people expect strength to look loud and certain. The Gospel shows a different kind of strength — patient, steady, and faithful.
    As Holy Week begins, we are invited to slow down even more. The story is not meant to be rushed. Each scene invites reflection. A shared meal. A lonely garden. A heavy cross carried through the streets. These moments speak to our own lives. We recognize fear, doubt, and hope within them.
    Standing before the Cross can feel uncomfortable. It asks us to look honestly at suffering, both in the world and in our own hearts. Yet it also reveals mercy. Jesus forgives even as He suffers. He entrusts everything to the Father. The Cross becomes a place where love remains stronger than pain.
    This final theme gathers all the steps of Lent together. Prayer has taught us to listen. Fasting has helped us let go. Almsgiving has opened our hearts to others. Mercy has changed how we see. Conversion has invited us into new life. Now the Cross shows us where this journey leads — toward a love that gives itself completely.
    As we move into Holy Week, we walk quietly beside Jesus. We do not need many words. Presence is enough. The Cross stands as a reminder that even in darkness, God is at work. And beyond the silence of Good Friday, Easter already waits.
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   As this Lenten journey reaches its quiet end, we stand near the Cross with grateful hearts. Step by step, we have learned to turn back to God, to pray, to let go, to give, to show mercy, and to begin again. None of these steps were meant to be perfect. They were meant to lead us closer to Christ. Now the Church grows still, waiting for the light of Easter morning. What we have practiced in small ways during Lent does not end here.     It continues in the way we live, speak, and love each day. The Cross does not close the story. It prepares us to receive new life. 
Wishing you a Blessed Holy Week, 
Fr. Slawek

Mercy prepares the heart for real change. When we experience forgiveness, we find courage to begin again. The story of Lazarus reminds us that God calls each of us toward new life, even when hope feels distant.
    As Lent draws closer to Holy Week, the call to conversion becomes more personal and clearer. The Gospel tells the story of Lazarus. It is a story of loss, waiting, and new life. Jesus arrives when hope seems almost gone. Yet He calls Lazarus out of the tomb. This moment reminds us that change is always possible with God.
   Conversion is not only about feeling sorry for the past. It is about stepping into a new way of living. Many people think conversion must be dramatic. Sometimes it is quiet. A small decision. A new habit. A deeper trust. Like Lazarus, we may feel wrapped in what holds us back. Jesus invites us to step forward into freedom.
   The Gospel shows strong emotions. Martha speaks honestly. Mary weeps. Jesus Himself is moved. Conversion does not ignore real feelings. It meets them with hope. Lent allows us to bring our fears, doubts, and struggles before God. Nothing is hidden from Him.
   There are moments when we feel stuck, as if nothing can change. The stone before the tomb can look heavy. Yet Jesus asks the people around Him to roll it away. Conversion often begins with one simple action. We open the door just a little, and God does the rest.
   This week invites us to listen for the voice that calls us by name. Jesus does not shout to a crowd. He speaks directly to Lazarus. In the same way, He speaks personally to each of us. Conversion grows when we hear that call and respond with trust.
   As the journey continues, the tone of Lent becomes more focused. We prepare to walk with Christ toward the Cross. Conversion helps us let go of fear and step into new life. It reminds us that God never stops calling us forward. 
 
Let us continue the journey,
Fr. Slawek

As we learn to give, our hearts become more gentle. Mercy changes the way we see the world. Like the man born blind in the Gospel, we begin to recognize God’s presence where we once saw only weakness.

     As we learn to give, our hearts slowly become more gentle. Mercy begins to shape how we see the world. The Gospel tells the story of the man born blind. Jesus sees him when others pass by. He does not begin with judgment or explanation. He begins with compassion. Mercy starts in the way we look at others.

     Many voices in the Gospel ask who is to blame. They want simple answers. Jesus responds differently. He restores sight. He opens a new future. Mercy does not focus only on the past. It creates space for new life to begin.

     Sometimes we also see only what is broken. We notice mistakes, weaknesses, or failures – in others and in ourselves. Lent gently teaches us to look again. When Jesus heals the blind man, He also challenges the crowd to see more clearly. Mercy changes vision. It helps us recognize dignity where we once saw only limits.

     Receiving mercy can feel difficult. The man must trust Jesus even when he does not fully understand what is happening. In the same way, we are invited to trust that God works patiently within us. Mercy does not rush. It walks slowly with the heart.

     This week is a good time to practice simple acts of mercy. Listening without interrupting. Offering forgiveness. Speaking gently when it would be easier to react with anger. These choices may seem small, but they change the atmosphere around us. They reflect the light that Christ brings into the world.

     Mercy also helps us grow in humility. The Gospel reminds us that spiritual blindness can happen when we think we see everything clearly. Lent encourages us to remain open. We allow God to show us where we need healing. We learn to accept grace instead of trying to control everything.

     As the journey continues, mercy prepares us for deeper conversion. When we experience kindness, our hearts become ready to change. We begin to see ourselves and others through the eyes of Christ. Step by step, the light grows stronger, guiding us toward the joy of Easter.

Fr. Slawek

When we begin to live with less, our eyes open to others. Fasting leads naturally into generosity. Almsgiving invites us to share time, attention, and kindness, just as Christ meets the woman at the well.
When we begin to live with less, our hearts open more easily to others. This is where almsgiving begins. Many people think first about money or donations. Yet the Gospel of the Samaritan woman shows something deeper. Jesus meets someone who feels unseen and tired. He begins not by giving things, but by giving attention. He listens. He speaks with kindness. He offers living water.
Almsgiving begins with seeing others. It means noticing the person who stands in front of us. Sometimes we hurry through the day and forget how much people need simple presence. The woman at the well arrives carrying her own burdens. Jesus meets her where she is. He does not rush the conversation. He opens a path toward hope.
Giving is not always about big gestures. Often it begins with small acts. A patient word. A moment of listening. A quiet prayer for someone who struggles. These simple choices shape the heart. They remind us that faith is lived through relationships.
Almsgiving also changes us. When we give our time or attention, we step outside of ourselves. We begin to see the world through different eyes. The Samaritan woman leaves her water jar behind because she has discovered something greater. When we give generously, we also receive. We discover that love grows when it is shared.
This week invites us to ask a simple question: who needs my attention today? The answer may be close to home. A family member. A neighbor. Someone at church. Almsgiving does not need to be complicated. It grows through daily kindness.
Lent slowly opens the heart. Prayer teaches us to listen to God. Fasting teaches us to let go. Almsgiving teaches us to give ourselves. Together, these steps lead us closer to the joy that waits at Easter.

Fr. Slawek

   As prayer grows deeper, Lent invites us to let go of what distracts us. Fasting helps us focus on what truly matters. It is not only about giving something up. It is about making space for God’s light to guide us.
   As prayer grows deeper, Lent gently introduces us to fasting. Many people hear this word and think only about food. Yet the Gospel of the Transfiguration shows something deeper. Jesus leads His disciples up the mountain. There, in a moment of light, they see who He truly is. Before we let go of something, we are first invited to see more clearly.
   Fasting is not meant to make life smaller. It helps us notice what fills our hearts. When we step away from noise or comfort, we begin to see what truly matters. The disciples wanted to stay on the mountain, to hold on to the moment. But Jesus leads them back down into daily life. Fasting teaches us that faith is lived not only in special moments but in ordinary days.
   Sometimes fasting feels uncomfortable. We become aware of habits that keep us busy or distracted. Yet this discomfort can become a gift. It opens space. It reminds us that we are not controlled by every desire. Like the disciples, we learn to listen again to the voice of God: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.”
   Fasting is also about focus. We let go of something small so that our attention can return to what is greater. It may be less time on a screen, fewer unnecessary words, or choosing patience instead of reaction. These simple choices help us grow in freedom. They teach us that we can live with less and still be full of peace.
The Transfiguration shows that God is already at work in ways we do not always see. When we fast, we clear space to recognize that light. We begin to notice grace in quiet places. We become more aware of others. We listen more carefully. Fasting becomes not a burden but a path toward clarity.
   This week invites us to ask a gentle question: what do I hold on to that keeps me from seeing God more clearly?
   The answer does not need to be dramatic. Even one small change can open the heart. Lent is not about proving strength. It is about learning trust.
   As we continue the journey, fasting prepares us for the next step. When we let go of what distracts us, we become more ready to give ourselves to others. The path of Lent moves slowly, but each step leads us closer to Easter light.
 
My prayers are with you as the Lenten journey continues,
Fr. Slawek

Week 1 of Lent – Sunday, February 22

After we begin to turn our hearts toward God, the next step is prayer. The Gospel leads us into the desert with Jesus. Here we learn to listen before we act. Prayer becomes the foundation for everything that follows.
 
The Church now guides us into the desert with Jesus. The Gospel shows Him in silence. There is no crowd, no noise, no applause. Only prayer. This is where Lent truly begins. Before we change habits or make plans, we learn again how to stay close to God.
 
Many people think prayer must be long or complicated. Yet the Gospel shows something simple. Jesus stands in the desert and keeps His heart turned toward the Father. He answers temptation with trust. Prayer is not about perfect words. It is about relationship. It is about remembering who we belong to.
 
The desert is not an easy place. It feels quiet, even empty. Prayer can feel the same way. Sometimes we sit in silence and wonder if anything is happening. Lent reminds us that God works gently. Growth often happens where we do not see it right away. Silence becomes a space where faith can breathe.
 
The temptations in the Gospel offer quick solutions. Comfort without sacrifice. Power without humility. Recognition without love. Jesus answers with the Word of God. Prayer helps us do the same. It slows us down. It helps us listen before reacting. It teaches us to choose what lasts, not only what feels good in the moment.
 
This week, prayer can begin in very small ways. A quiet minute before Mass. A short Scripture line carried through the day. A simple “Thank You” before sleep. These small moments shape the heart slowly. They help us notice that God walks beside us even in ordinary hours.
 
Prayer also prepares us for everything that follows in Lent. Fasting makes sense when it grows from prayer. Charity becomes real when it begins in prayer. When we take time to be with God, our actions start to reflect His patience and mercy.
 
The First Sunday of Lent reminds us that Jesus does not avoid struggle. He enters it with trust. When we pray, we stand with Him in the desert. We learn that God is near even when life feels dry. Prayer does not remove every difficulty, but it gives us strength to walk forward with hope.
 
As we grow in prayer this week, I ask you in a very concrete way to pray for our parish community. Pray for those who already serve, and pray that others may feel called to step forward. Our parish depends on many generous people. Some serve at the altar. Some greet at the doors. Some proclaim the Word. Some distribute Holy Communion. Others work quietly behind the scenes. We are grateful for each one of them.
 
At the same time, we truly need more members in several ministries, especially those connected to the altar. If you have ever considered serving as an usher, a lector, or an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, this may be the right moment to take that step. Strong liturgies do not happen by accident. They are supported by faithful, prepared people.
 
Each week during Lent, different parish groups will be present in the Atrium after Mass. I encourage you to stop, ask questions, and see where you might belong. Prayer leads us closer to God. It also leads us toward service. Perhaps this Lent is the time to find your place.
Wishing you a prayerful Lent,
Fr. Slawek