The Church of St Jude - Wantagh, New York

   I love a good challenge.

   There is something life changing abouttaking an apparent impossible situation, putting my blood, sweat and tears intoit, and seeing the impossible turn into something remarkable. Although it mightbe painful in the process, the rewards are often too numerous to count.

   I’ve faced a lot of challenges in my life.Whether it be moving from state to state as a child, developing a summerreading program for area youth, or entering seminary, all of my challenges havehelped mold me into the priest I am today.

   Perhaps of all the challenges I faced in my39 years of life, the most challenging has been running the Long Island HalfMarathon not once, but two years in a row. As someone who used to weigh over250 pounds, I would have scoffed at the idea that I would run a long race.However, through diligence, practice, some pain and perseverance, I was able torun those races which proved to be relatively easy.

   Each year during Lent I face a new challenge– how to live my life in a disciplined way to live more fully into the lifethat Christ wants me to live. Some years I give things up. Some years I take onadditional spiritual practices. Regardless of what I do, the challenge ofliving into my Lenten pilgrimage the whole 40 days (plus Sundays), is oftenextremely difficult. Yet, in spite of the challenge, I push forward because Iknow the challenges I face are nothing compared to the challenges Jesus facedliving among us.

   This Lent will present its temptations andits straying moments. However, I know that with Christ on my side, thesechallenges will be good ones . . . along the way.

         Faithfully yours,

         Fr. Christopher