February 9 - It hardly seems Christmas has faded and now we start Lent at the end of this month. How will you observe it differently this year? Lent is designed to help focus us. Generally, we do that by simplifying. Less food, less self-indulgence, less busyness...all work together to create more time...for God and for the ones Christ calls our sisters and brothers. Make this a Lent with no regrets! Commit to a concrete action plan of penance and self-sacrifice. Give yourself in service one day per week, read 3 pages of Holy Scripture every day, offer up meat for the 40 days. Lent is not a time to be mediocre!