Deacon Schutzler shared his love for and the story of Francis DeSales and his friendship with Jane DeChantel, both of whom became saints. The concept of the Universal Call to Holiness is rooted in St. Francis because he believed that all people are called to sainthood. Family life and marriage were very important to Francis. He encouraged laughter and saw the relationship with God as a love affair with the key to love of God being prayer. The test of prayer is how one acts. Deacon Schutzler asked the question, “What are WE doing for Lent?” We are asked during Lent to fast, give alms, and pray. We are not asked, “What are you giving up?” St. Francis encouraged being prayerful in our thoughts, actions, etc. Prayer is a dialogue and the foundation for prayer is to be present, in silence, in a specific place of peace for yourself. It helps to be settled, quiet, attentive and silent in prayer. Lent is the ideal time to just STOP. Since prayer is dialogue, start with making a request: “Jesus, what do you want or need me to hear?”

For the second part of his presentation Deacon Schutzler began by asking “What is Jesus’ plan for us?” Prayer can bring about healing. Living prayerfully leads to God’s healing. We can encounter Jesus who is truly present in the Eucharist. We can encounter Jesus in the Monstrance. When Jesus is present in the Monstrance it is ‘Holy Radiation’. The more often we can be in His presence is gift.
When we pray, when we are in dialogue with God, we are supposed to hear something. He speaks to us in many ways. Often He speaks to us through others and sometimes WE are God’s word to others…very powerful to contemplate. Our thoughtfulness is the beginning of sanctity.

While we understand that Lent is a journey it is also about ‘back to basics’. Lent is a time to reset, to renew, to heal. We need to renew the basics ~ The Beatitudes.

When Jesus preached the Beatitudes to the Jews who just wanted to be rid of the oppressive Romans, he taught them how to lIve in a way that was foreign to them. The Beatitudes taught them, and teach us, how to be.

In naming each Beatitude the Deacon defined its meaning.

Those who are poor in spirit recognize their need for God.
Those who mourn are talking of mourning for our sins.

Those who are meek exibit strength under control; we can leverage our strength for the benefit of God.

Those who hunger for righteousness have a desperate craving for God; a thirst wanting to be with Jesus.

Those who are merciful must release the wrongs of others. We must have mercy for others as God has mercy for us.

Those who are peacemakers have received the peace of God and must spread that peace to others and communicate Christ.

Those who are persecuted for righteousness should be joyful in the face of persecution.

The Sermon on the Mount extends well beyond the listing of the Beatitudes as Jesus teaches how we should live the Beatitudes.

Finally, Lent is a time of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Lent is an invitation to reconnect with God through prayer, dialogue, quiet and listening.

The Morning of Reflection concluded with the recitation by all of the opening prayer, daily recited by Mother Theresa.

The Catholic Women’s Club extends its grateful appreciation to Deacon Peter Schutzler for being with us, for sharing his thoughtful presentation and inviting all present to a deeper reflection on the Season on Lent.