Five Things To Remember On Feb. 13

1. A variety of resources to help Catholics observe Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, this year February 18, is being provided by the USCCB. With the theme “Raise Up. Sacrifice. Offer,” resources include video reflections on Lenten themes, a downloadable Lenten calendar with quotes from Pope Francis’ Message for Lent and other teachings and suggestions for taking an active approach to the three traditional pillars of Lenten observance: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

2. Last month, the Diocese of Burlington welcomed the blogging, social media savvy Bishop Christopher Coyne as their 10th bishop. Two weeks later, Vermont Catholic is now on Facebook.

3. Cardinals meeting at the Vatican discussed better ways to balance the responsibilities of local bishops and of the Roman Curia, said the Vatican spokesman.

4. In case you missed it, In a February 11 letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, New Mexico, urged the committees to intervene with the Israeli government regarding a plan to reroute the separation barrier through the Cremisan Valley in the West Bank. The plan, he said, ignores the rights and needs of the local community and would have “devastating consequences.”

5. God loves you.