Although we continue to be in the grip of winter, Lent begins on Wednesday and, like almost everything else this year, Ash Wednesday will be a little different. Following Archdiocesan guidelines, ashes will be sprinkled in silence on your head rather than being imposed on your foreheads in the sign of a cross. This is already the practice in much of the world; it follows the example we see throughout the Bible (cf. Jdt. 4:11; Est. 4:16; 1 Mc. 3:47) and avoids the physical contact that many people fear during this pandemic. But, it remains a very powerful sign of the call to repentance, conversion and trust in God in the face of struggle.
On Ash Wednesday we are again made aware of our sinfulness and our need for salvation. We were called to choose to accompany Jesus as he offers his life to save us. On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes as both a sign of repentance and a call to choose to prepare for our eternal salvation. This is why there are two formulas – “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return” – used at the imposition of ashes.
As we begin the Lenten Season, I would like to offer you copies of the popular Lenten Black Book: you will find them at the church entrances. Please take one home for your personal use and feel free to take others to give to members of your family as well as friends or neighbors who are not coming to church at this time due to the pandemic. This booklet offers brief, thought-provoking reflections for every day of Lent based on very fitting scriptural passages as well as interesting quotes, information and timely thoughts. We will also be offering Bishop Robert Barron’s weekly Lenten reflections; look for a Flocknote message that will direct you to the Word on Fire Engage 2021 Lent Reflections. Find out elsewhere in this Parish Bulletin how to sign up for Flocknote if you haven’t already done so; you’ll join almost 1,400 fellow parishioners in this easy way to keep up with what’s going on in the parish!
I also encourage you to take advantage of the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is scheduled every Saturday 4:00 – 4:45pm, except on Holy Saturday (3 April). And, we will again make the Sacrament of Reconciliation available every Wednesday during Lent from 6:30 to 7:30pm and will host a regional Lenten Penance Service on Wednesday, 24 March, beginning at 7:00pm.
On Wednesday, 10 March, we will host a Lenten Evening of Reflection. Further details will be made available as the date approaches but please mark your calendar and plan to attend!
We will also have Stations of the Cross throughout Lent at 7:00pm every Friday evening. And, in addition to the beautiful Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00pm on Holy Thursday, 1 April, and the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00pm on Good Friday, we’re privileged to have the VoxAmaDeus Ensemble perform selected pieces from the Handel Messiah beginning at 7:00pm that same evening. All of these events will offer us very powerful occasions to close this most Holy Week of the year.
Another essential aspect of the Lenten Season is almsgiving. As we become aware of the great sacrifice our Lord, Jesus, made for us on the cross, we are called to share in his sacrifice by sharing the abundance of God’s gifts with those in need around the world. Operation Rice Bowl is an excellent way to do just that. Rice Bowls are at the church entrances for your use. As you will read on the Rice Bowl, 159 million people around the world benefit from this annual Lenten program. Over the past few years, the Rice Bowl program has become more interesting, with reflections on a variety of areas in the world that Catholic Relief Services supports through your donations. This year, the places are Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste. You can meet your global family and find a wide variety of interesting resources at crsricebowl.org.
Yes, this is a very important time for us Christians. Let us take the opportunity, once again, to join together in turning back to God and to each other as we prepare to celebrate the new life we have received in the Risen Lord at Easter!