Most Reverend Bishop Paul S. Loverde - Delivers today's Podcast - 02/10/13: Fifth Sunday in OT at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA

Good Shepherd Catholic Church 8710 Mt. Vernon Highway, Alexandria, Virginia, 22309

2013 BISHOPS LENTEN APPEAL A letter from the Most Reverend Bishop Paul S. Loverde As you may know, Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI began The Year of Faith on October 11, 2012, which we are observing until November 24, 2013. As the diocesan Church of Arlington, united to the Church Universal, we are being invited to take a personal step in faith, so that we can experience more fully Our Lord's deep and abiding love for each one of us. Because of His love for us, we then become more committed to reveal and pass on His love in service to our brothers and sisters, especially to those in real need, whether that be of body, mind or soul. Therefore, the theme for this year's Bishop's Lenten Appeal (BLA) is Stepping Out in Faith: Love Revealed. Throughout this year, we are given the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel joyfully and compassionately to our family, friends, neighbors and society by simply living out the everyday moments of our lives with faith, hope and charity. HEARING THE CALL Isaiah's prophetic call is mysterious: God's smoky and glorious presence in the sanctuary, with the seraphim crying out as we do in the eucharistic prayer, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory." Peter, James and John were called from much more mundane circumstances: hauling in fish. We are all called from where we are: "Follow the Lord, and proclaim his risen presence." Like Paul, we are called to receive this summons and live our lives in response to it. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, STD © 2000, OCP. All rights reserved.