February 6: Ash Wednesday Masses 6:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 7:00 p.m.
Fish Fry: 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria (4-5:00 seniors 10% off)
February 7-8, 11: Additional Mass at 12:00 noon; Confessions from 1:00-2:00 p.m. to celebrate special Lourdes Novena (150th Anniversary of Lourdes).
Fridays during Lent: Stations of the Cross, 1:45 (except 2/15) and 7:00 p.m. in church
Fish Fry every Friday in School Cafeteria from 4:00-7:00 p.m. (sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #471)
February 9: Healing Mass: the celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick during the 4:00 Mass
February 10: Sunday presentation, "Serve as if it Were Breathing," by Michael Flannery from "Nine on Your Kids Side", 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the church.
February 20: Wednesday evening Mass celebrated by Fr. Rob Jack, seminary theology professor and former associate at OLL, followed by a brief presentation on "Hope", 7:00 p.m. in church.
February 24: Sunday presentation, "What Does it Mean to be a Catholic in the Twenty-first Century?" by Fr. Ted Ross, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the church.
March 3: Communal Reconciliation Service, 7:00 p.m. in the church.
March 5: Wednesday evening Simple Meal, followed by a program of Christian juggling that will help participants of all ages to "awaken anew" this Lent.
March 6: Confessions from 1:00-2:00 and 7:00-8:00 p.m.
March 12: Wednesday evening Mass celebrated by Fr. Benedict O’Cinnsealaigh, Director of Spiritual Formation at the Seminary, followed by a brief
presentation on "Our Lady of Sorrows", 7:00 p.m. in church.
March 14: Special Prayer Service using music from Taize, France, plus readings, reflection and prayer around the Cross, 7:00 p.m. in church.
Triduum Schedule: No morning Masses or Communion Services; no confessions
Holy Thursday: Mass at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday: Rosary at 12:30; Way of the Cross at 1:00; Service at 1:30
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m.
Lent is a time to deepen and renew our own baptismal commitment. It is the primary penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year,
during which the faithful embrace the traditional practices of fasting,
prayer and almsgiving. Lent reflects the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer. National Directory for Catechesis
What are you doing for Lent this year?
Know yourself. Find a quiet place. Be aware of God’s unconditional love for you. Assess yourself in each area below on a scale from 1-10, and write comments to explain your rating.
·
Your health (concerns, gratitude . . .)·
Your relationships (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors . . .)·
God (growth in faith; what strengthened or weakened your bond?)·
Your parish (worship, service . . .)·
Mission (concern for the earth, civic responsibilities, global concerns . . .)·
Your work (rate your efforts to do your best; your satisfaction . . .)·
Your overall happiness (What are its principal sources and threats?)Review your desires, your accomplishments and your feelings. Note areas where you feel affirmed and challenged. Give thanks to God, ask forgiveness for your shortcomings and make a commitment to grow spiritually this Lent. The point of the disciplines of Lent is conversion of heart.
Some ideas to enter into the spiritual practices suggested by Jesus (Mat. 6:1-18)
Prayer: (Sunday Eucharist; reading the scriptures before Mass to prepare; enhance daily prayer; spiritual reading [use the parish library or check a religious book store]; celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation . . .)
Fasting: (cut down on or eliminate certain kinds of food or drink; abstain from certain TV programs, computer activities or nicotine; get more exercise; eat more slowly and with greater consciousness . . .)
Almsgiving: (count your blessings; consider tithing or giving more of your time, talent or treasure to your parish or a favorite charity; forgive someone’s debt to you . . .)
Other: Find some ideas for "awakening anew this Lent" from the bulletin insert the weekend of February 2-3. There is something for every age.
During the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) reflect on your Lenten practices. What did you learn about yourself? Will you continue any of those disciplines?
5. Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, the central mystery of our faith, and give thanks for God’s presence in your life.