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The Holy Season of Lent Begins Today
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A Note from Our Pastor
Today, February 17, 2021 we begin the Holy Season of Lent in the Church. We probably feel like we have been living in and extended Lent since March of last year with the things we have had to give up during the pandemic, however that is not a reason to take the season more lightly this year. This period of preparation and penance is always important, as we are meant to purify our hearts and our minds, reflect upon our need for the mercy and forgiveness of God, repent of our sinfulness, pray for and support one another, and witness through the experience of fasting, prayer, abstinence, and almsgiving, that the things of this world are but transient goods that are meant to point us to the eternal good which comes from God, through the Paschal Mystery, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
For Ash Wednesday, as with everything else, things will be slightly altered this year. We will still have Mass with the distribution of Ashes at 7:00AM and 8:30AM. There will be services with the distribution of Ashes at 12:15PM, 5:30PM, and 7:00PM. While you are encouraged to attend if you are able to and comfortable with doing so, please remember that Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, and neither is the reception of ashes. At the Masses and services, ashes will be distributed using cotton swabs, and this will be at the end of the liturgy, during the dismissal. If you do not feel comfortable coming to Church or even if you are here, but do not feel comfortable physically receiving ashes, that is ok. What important, is that we immerse ourselves, body, mind and spirit into this holy season, so that we are able to approach the celebration of Easter, with a clear vision of the hope that comes from our resurrected Lord.
