Mass Times
Mon-Sat: 8:00AM & Tues-Fri: 5:30PM
Saturday Vigil: 5:30PM
Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM, & 5:30PM
LENT AND EASTER
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season in which the faithful are called to reflect on the Paschal Mystery more intently. It is a time of spiritual renewal and to examine one’s relationship with God and others more carefully. It is also a time in which catechumens prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The Church calls everyone, therefore, to a spirit of penance through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
In order to foster a spirit of repentance and unite ourselves more closely to Christ, Church law requires the observance of Abstinence and Fasting during Lent.
Abstinence
All persons, 14 years and older, are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. “. . .[Any] parish or diocesan institution or group which sponsors an event which includes a meal is not to serve meat on any Friday during the year”.
Other forms of abstinence, for example abstinence from alcoholic beverages, television, video games, the Internet, and social media, are also beneficial. Because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday in 2023 Bishop Soto will dispense the faithful from the law of abstinence for that day.
Fasting
Everyone from ages 18 to 59 is obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Voluntary fasting on other weekdays of Lent, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, is highly recommended. Fasting is understood to mean that one full meal may be eaten. Two other small meals may be eaten, but together they should not equal a full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted.
When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, neither the law of fasting nor the law of abstinence obliges. If in doubt, one’s parish priest or confessor should be consulted. Airport workers, travelers, and others while on board ships or airplanes are dispensed from the laws of fast and abstinence for the duration of their journey (except on Good Friday). It is desirable that they perform some other pious act instead.
Prayer
Catholics are urged to read and pray with sacred Scripture more intently during Lent, and to deepen their faith by reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The faithful are encouraged to participate in special devotions offered by the parish, especially parish penance services and Eucharistic adoration. Other devotions such as the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life are also encouraged.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Lent is a privileged time for celebrating the Sacrament of Penance. The faithful are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year.
Confession Schedule:
Saturdays at 3:00pm and by appointment.
Parish Reconciliation Service:
March 29, 2023 at 10am & 7pm
Lenten Mass Schedule
The faithful are urged to attend Mass on weekdays as often as possible, especially during Lent.
Mass Times
Saturday Vigil : 5:30 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM*
11:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM
Tuesday - Friday: 5:30 PM
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are to be celebrated in each parish on Fridays during Lent and parishioners should be encouraged to participate.
Stations of the Cross Schedule
Fridays of Lent at 4:45pm
February 24th, March 3rd,
March 10th, March 17th,
March 24th, & March 31st
Day of Reconciliation & Unity
The second Wednesday of March is to be observed as “a day of penance for negative attitudes and discrimination toward people of differing cultures, ethnicity and race; and prayer for unity in our diversity, for equality, mutual respect and peace among all peoples”
Paschal Triduum
The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, is continued through Good Friday with the celebration of the Passion of the Lord and Holy Saturday, to reach its summit in the Easter Vigil
Triduum Schedule
Holy Thursday, April 6th
Mass of the Lord's Supper: 7:00pm
Good Friday, April 7th
Three Hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm
Celebration of the Lord's Passion (communion Service & Veneration of the Cross): 7:00pm
Easter Vigil: 8:15pm
Easter Duty
All Catholics who have been initiated into the Holy Eucharist are bound to receive holy communion at least once during the Easter Season. The Easter duty may be fulfilled through the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. However, “anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion”.
Easter Sunday Schedule
Sunday, April 9th: 7:30am, 9:30am, & 11:30am
ALMSGIVING
From earliest times giving to the poor, or almsgiving, has been an invaluable spiritual practice, a religious duty, a form of penance, an expression of Christian charity, and an aid to interior conversion. Therefore, all Catholics are urged to give generously to assist the poor and support the charitable works of the Church, especially through their local parish and the Annual Catholic Appeal.
The faithful are also encouraged to visit the sick, the homebound, the aged, and those in prison, remembering the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40). Fasting and abstinence together with almsgiving and charitable works unite us to the crucified Christ reflected in the image of our brothers and sisters who suffer.
