Pastor's Corner: Open your heart and mind during Lent

Lent is a season in the life in the Church when we observe the forty days leading to Jesus’ death on the cross. It began this week with Ash Wednesday when clergy all over the world dispense ashes — usually made by burning the palm fronds distributed on last year’s Palm Sunday — making the sign of the cross on the bowed foreheads before them. As they “impose” or “dispense” the ashes, the pastor or priest reminds each Christian of Genesis 3:19: “For dust you are and to dust you shall return.” It is the beginning of our preparation for Easter’s celebration. But this day is a day to remember our f...