Ash Wednesday is fast approaching! It may feel like we have been living in a season of perpetual waiting, however soon we will enter the Season of Lent, a time for renewal and rebirth. Let us Embrace and Be Embraced by this season and reflect on those silver linings that we can count as blessings during these uncertain times.

This year, we will distribute packets of Ashes for individuals and families to receive the Ash Wednesday blessing during our Outdoor Masses & Communion Procession.

Parishioners can pick up their Lenten Care Packages, which includes Blessed Ashes Packet, Postcard of Lenten events, Embrace This Holy Season, CRS RIceBowl, and more!

Ash Wednesday Schedule: Feb. 17

6:30 a.m. Livestream Mass

7:30 a.m. Communion Procession

with Distribution* of Ashes

9:00 a.m. Outdoor Mass

and Distribution* of Ashes

12:10 p.m. Livestream Mass

1:00 p.m. Communion Procession

with Distribution* of Ashes

4:00 p.m. Outdoor Mass

and Distribution* of Ashes

6:00 p.m. Livestream Mass

7:00 p.m. Communion Procession

with Distribution* of Ashes

*We will distribute Blessed Ashes Packets in Lenten Care Packages, available for pick up starting on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Holy Grounds, Outdoor Masses, or during the Communion Procession.

Fasting and Abstinence

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days when the Catholic faithful are called to fast and abstain from eating meat. What does that mean: 

FASTING 

• In the dioceses in the United States, Catholics aged 18 through 59 are bound to fast on both Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021) and Good Friday (April 2, 2021). 
• To fast means to consume one full meal a day at most, although taking of other, smaller quantities of food at the other customary mealtimes is permitted. Food and drink between meals (excepting water and medicine) is not permitted on fast days. 

ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT 

• Catholics aged 14 and up are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday.
• To abstain means refraining from eating beef, veal, pork, or poultry at least, although eggs and milk products are acceptable. The consumption of fish and shellfish is permitted, though the penitential character of the abstinence should be kept in mind. 

Prayer

O God, who moved by acts of humility

and respond with forgiveness to works of penance,

lend your merciful ear to our prayers

and in your kindness pour out the grace of your blessing

on your servants who are marked with these ashes,

that, as they follow the Lenten observances,

they may be worthy to come with minds made pure

to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Register for Outdoor Masses: