Dear Friends,
It hardly seems possible, but Wednesday of this week is Ash Wednesday and we launch into yet another Lenten season. For some, Lent may seem to be a time of drudgery and hardship, but in the mind of the Church, Lent, during which the spring season begins, is the springtime of the soul. Lent, lived seriously, is a time for graced selfreflection, selfexamination, repentance, change, and growth in the things of the spirit.
For Ash Wednesday, there will be five Masses, during which ashes will be distributed after the homily, and another service, that being the Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of ashes after the homily. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of universal fast and abstinence in the Church. Fasting means having one full meal with two smaller meals and nothing in between meals. Fasting is expected of everyone between the ages of 18 and 59. Of course, if there are serious health concerns, one is dispensed. Abstinence, expected of everyone from age 14 onward, means that no meat is consumed that day. Abstinence is also the discipline expected of all from age 14 onward for all the Fridays of Lent.
Here at Precious Blood, we will have three daily Masses on Mondays through Fridays, the usual daily schedule in place with the addition of a 12:05 PM Mass at St. Mary’s. Stations of the Cross will be prayed on Friday evenings at 7:30 PM at St. Agnes. Of course, a good observance of Lent is crowned with the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be ample times set aside for hearing confessions during these next six weeks. All registered households should have received a flyer in the mail with the complete Lenten, Holy Week, and Easter schedule. Additional copies are available at the doors of both churches.
It has come to my attention that some may have received an email, purportedly coming from me, asking for a favor or, still worse, for money or gift cards. Please be advised that I would never contact anyone directly by email asking for anything. In the first place, I do not know the emails of most parishioners. Secondly, I prefer to contact people in the parish by telephone or by letter. Thirdly, I only respond by email to those who contact me by email first.
Finally, we congratulate Father Lijo who celebrated this Saturday, February 22, his sixth anniversary of priestly ordination. May God bless him in his service to the Church. We are very glad to have him with us at Precious Blood.
Have a good week!