There are still a few places left for our Parish Retreat in Keswick. Our parish meeting next Saturday takes on more importance as we get nearer the time. I’ll mention it in more detail at each Mass this weekend. The Mass for the families of this year’s first communicants was well attended. Thanks to all who came, and to our schools especially.
‘Ash Wednesday Unshowered’
by Anya Krugovoy Silver
My hair’s pulled back to disguise the grime,
though maybe it’s well that I’m unclean,
since from dust you came, to dust you will return,
the priest recites, smearing my forehead.-
Once, twice, and I’m marked,
a lintel in plague years.
I’m invited to kneel and read the fifty-first Psalm,
recalling how David watched Bathsheba bathe.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Merciful one, save me from slight repentance.
I pierced the center of the white orchid, Lord,
and it was mud, blood’s cry, my body’s blighted tender.