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Bishop's Lenten Pastoral Letter 2010
 Bishop's Lenten Pastoral Letter 2010
My Dear Friends,
Lent, the journey to Easter, is always a new gift from God. In Lent we are given an opportunity to reflect on our call to discipleship both as individuals and through our membership of the world wide Church. It is also a time when we might give some thought to personal sacrifice and how we might help those who are less well off than ourselves.
This year, following the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010, our Lenten call has even deeper meaning for us. The death toll as a result of the earthquake is now estimated to be over 150,000 people. Jean Zache Duracin, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, has set up a crisis commission to respond to the needs of victims who have turned to the church for much-needed support. Currently, they are caring for 323,000 Haitians. In his own words, Bishop Duracin declared: "We are desperate but strong in faith."
The Primates World Relief and Development Fund is the response for emergency relief, refugees, development, and justice by Canadian Anglicans. To date, the PWRDF has received almost $2 million. I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the people of Haiti through PWRDF and other relief agencies. I am very proud of Anglicans in our Diocese: "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God." Acts 10:4 I assure you that what PWRDF is doing is changing lives, changing communities, and changing the world.
During this Lent, I ask that you think about your own mission work. Ask yourself, What can I do? How can I serve? Action is the measure of our response to Christ. The challenge, particularly during Lent, is not just to do mission but to be a people of mission.
Every blessing,
+Cyrus
The Rt. Rev'd Cyrus Pitman
Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
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