We begin the season of Lent. Canon Law urges all the Christian Faithful to offer special prayers, to perform works of piety and charity, and to mortify themselves by fulfilling their responsibilities more faithfully. They are likewise encouraged to perform acts of fast and abstinence.
FASTING requires that only one full meal a day be taken. Two smaller meals may be taken to maintain strength but these taken together should not equal another full meal. Fasting obliges from the 18th to the 59th birthday.
ABSTINENCE prohibits individuals the eating of meat. Abstinence obliges from the 14th birthday on. All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
DAYS OF ABSTINENCE/ FASTING ARE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence.
DAILY MASS
There is an additional 12 Noon Mass in the Parish Church during Lent: Monday thru Friday.
HOLY HOUR - EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT/BENEDICTION
On Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm in the Shrine Church, we will continue to have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Silent Adoration and Reflection, followed by Benediction. Why not take advantage of this quiet time with the Blessed Sacrament during this Lenten season?
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Why not include the celebration of the Stations of the Cross in your Lenten spiritual program? This devotional practice invites us as Christians to walk with Christ on the road to Calvary. Please join us each Friday evening during Lent, at 7:00pm, starting February 19th in the Parish Church.
WHY ASHES? On this day the Church invites us to receive a cross of ashes on our foreheads as a sign that during the coming season of Lent we will make sincere efforts to cleanse our lives of sin and to discipline ourselves through prayer and fasting.
WHO MAY RECEIVE ASHES? Baptized individuals who have reached the age of reason and Catechumens may receive ashes. Babies and young children who have not yet received the Sacrament of Penance should not be presented to receive ashes as ashes are intended for those who are capable of personal sin.
ASHES AND THE WORD OF GOD - As with all material things which are used as religious symbols, the symbolism of ashes is complex. In themselves ashes have little meaning. The "dust" into which we shall return, taken by itself can be perceived as just a morbid reminder that one day we will die and can even become an empty superstition rather than a religious act. But received in light of God's revealing Word, ashes can become for us as Christians the biblical symbol they are intended to be. It is for this reason that the Church has placed the reception of ashes within the framework of the reading of Scripture. Ashes recall that we are mortal and subject to death. God's Word reminds us that it is not the death of the body, but rather the death of the soul that is to be feared. Through the Scripture reading God calls us to return to him with our whole heart. In the light of these readings the reception of ashes becomes for us the symbol of hearts that desire to turn to God, a God who is "gracious and merciful, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment."
MASSES: PARISH CHURCH ~ 6:30AM, 9AM & 12Noon
LITURGY OF THE WORD SERVICES at 3:30 PM and 7:00PM in the Parish Church.
Please follow Ushers direction. There will be restricted Covid-19 seating as usual.
Ashes will be given as you exit the Church. Covid-19 distancing will be enforced.