Sunday, February 7th - The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CHEERS! - A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Cheers!
Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow last week on Groundhog Day: so there will be six more weeks of winter.
And, it is just 10 days until the beginning of Lent — Ash Wednesday being February 17. We have lots of activities and events planned for this year’s Lent. Just check out this bulletin for further details. Let me highlight a few things:
On Ash Wednesday, we will be distributing ashes at two Masses and three Scripture Services and at two “walk-in times” (see schedule below). We will be live-streaming the 7:30 p.m. Mass for those who are unable to attend any of the scheduled services. Because of the pandemic, we have been directed by the Vatican in this way:
“After blessing the ashes and sprinkling them with holy water in silence, the priest addresses those present, reciting once the formula found in the Roman Missal: ‘Repent, and believe in the Gospel’ or ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return’. At that point, the priest cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask, and distributes ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places. He then sprinkles the ashes on each person’s head without saying anything.”
This is also the directive given to us by our bishop, George Leo Thomas. In other words, you will NOT receive ashes in the form of a cross on your foreheads, but rather a sprinkle of ashes on the crown of your head — yes, in your hair! . . . or if you are bald like me on your very scalp! Oh, how Covid-19 has changed our lives! Lol.
Another event is the Retreat, Resurrecting Hope, being led by Sister Karen and myself. After nearly a year of this devastating virus, we do need to re-discover hope in our lives. Check all the info below.
Two other Lenten services are Taize Prayer and Reconciliation Night, on February 23 and March 11 respectively.
We also have some weekly events: Every Wednesday night, a Bible Study based on the movie, Les Miserables, and on every Friday night, the Stations of the Cross.
And, we have daily events: reflections given by Staff members using the book, “Here I am, Lord”, which book is being given away in our Gift Shop. And, of course, you can pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross, anytime 24/7.
So, you see we have a full and busy Lent planned for the parish. Try to take advantage of as many of these devotions as possible. More details and information is given on all of these in the bulletin below. Check it out. I will also give more details on each of them as the event draws near.
Have a great week. God bless you.
PS, breaking news! Fish Frys will not be every Friday of Lent, but only on these days and months of February and March:
Friday, February 19th
Friday, March 5th
Friday, March 26th
Fr. Bill