LENT

It hardly seems possible that it is time for season of Lent. The church encourages us to think of this as a “joyful season” because we spend time seeking to have “our hearts and minds renewed”.

God’s grace is so bountiful that it washes over us and works within us to help us become the Christian people we long to be. Everything that we undertake in Lent is pointed toward that goal of transformation and renewal. No wonder it is a “joyful season”.


REGULATIONS FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE

† FASTING is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day one full meal is allowed.  Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal.  Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.

† ABSTINENCE is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.

Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020 and Good Friday, April 10, 2020 are days of fast and abstinence. All the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful, the Elect and those Candidates preparing for Reception into Full Communion in the Catholic Church should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.

LENTEN HELPS

Ash Wednesday
6:00 a.m. Service with distribution of Ashes—Standish
12:00 noon Service with distribution of Ashes—Alger
7:00 p.m. Mass—Standish

Stations of the Cross
Wednesday evenings March 4 and March 11 – Soup Suppers at 5:30 pm with Stations to follow at Standish

Wednesday at noon on March 18 and March 25 – Soup luncheons with Stations to follow at Alger.

Scripture Class – Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Religious Ed. Center.

Parish Reconciliation Service – Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at Standish.

 Fr. David