Good afternoon on this Monday of the Third Week of Lent. Today is the day of my installation as pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish. They tell me that it's official after today. Someone remarked to me this morning that since that is the case, I still have the chance to bail out. Don't worry, I 'm not.

This is a good forum to thank those who have worked so tirelessly to make this evening memorable. I know that they often found me somewhat disengaged from the entire affair, so to them, let me offer my sincerest gratitude.

I have never been a good receiver and I need to work harder in that area. I love to give but I remain uncomfortable being the center of attention.

Thank you all.

...and now about this Lenten time and the call to Fast. Did you realize that there was a time in our Catholic Tradition when we abstained from not only meat but all animal products, like eggs, milk, butter and cheese? The Lenten Fast was physically rigorous.

In recent years this has all changed. Fasting has been gradually reduced and therefore, in the minds of practitioners, pretty much minimized. It's all symbolic now.

A reflection I read over the last weekend urged the reader to remember that fasting is not merely about diet. It has an inner significance. It is a call to convert the mind and will. St. John Chrysostom writes, "Fasting and abstaining are just not from food but from sins." St. Basil has an interesting observation, "What good is the fast from food if we indulge in cruel criticism and slander?"

Fasting goes together with prayer and almsgiving. It has no value without prayer and the important outreach through charity.

Peace and all that is good!