Lent

Longtime parishioner Betty Arrigotti (MA in Counseling, certificate in Spiritual Direction) is once again offering a weekly email series during Lent. This year, she will focus on works of mercy. Click here to contact Betty and sign-up!

Check out this interactive quiz from Ascension Press!

Would you like to develop a closer relationship with Jesus and your fellow parishioners this Lent? Learn more about joining or starting a Lenten small faith group.

Take a look at other events happening in our community this Lent!

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 5:20-6:2)

Lent is a holy season rich in tradition and history. In the early Church, Lent was the time for the final preparation of catechumens (those who have answered the call of the Holy Spirit to become fully initiated Catholic Christians) for baptism at Easter, a custom that has been restored in our day as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Lent later became a time for public penance for serious sinners, who reconciled themselves to the Church through prayer, fasting, and rituals such as the imposition of ashes. In our modern era, Lent is a season of prayer and repentance for all Christians in preparation for the celebration of the Easter mysteries.

The Catholic Church begins the holy season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, a day that calls us to deep prayer and repentance. These liturgies will include the Distribution of Ashes, an ancient tradition that reminds us of our need to turn away from sin. All are welcome to come forward and receive ashes, whether or not you are Catholic.

Lent is a blessed opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with God. Traditionally, Catholics do this by such practices as daily Mass, daily Rosary, self-denial (“giving something up” to help us stay focused on God), service to the community, and fasting. Other ideas include increased “quality time” with family, going on a Retreat or Day of Recollection, reading the Bible, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) – all good practices that will help lead us to closer to God.

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) began their iconic Rice Bowl program in 1975, and it has been a common tradition for Catholic families ever since. As CRS' Lenten faith-in-action program, it offers opportunities for your family to engage daily with the spiritual pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Plus, CRS has a variety of additional resources and activities for families to use throughout Lent. There's even a CRS Rice Bowl app you can download!

• Each year, we abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays during Lent. Challenge yourself to add an additional meat-free day each week — or even eat plant-based meals through the season. Need some ideas for meatless meals? Check out these recipes from around the world that CRS has collected!

Each Friday during Lent, a different group within the parish will provide a simple soup supper with bread / crackers (though the gesture is appreciated, please do not bring additional bread or goodies to share!) and lead us in the Stations of the Cross.

Supper starts at 6:00pm in the Fireside room; Stations start at 7:00pm in the church.

Come for one or both as we journey through Lent together!