Mission Statement
Lent is one of the most meaningful and spiritually rich seasons in the Catholic Church - a forty‑day journey that invites us into deeper prayer, sincere repentance, and a renewed commitment to living the Gospel. Rooted in the biblical symbolism of the number forty: Moses on Sinai, Israel in the desert, Jesus fasting before beginning His ministry - Lent mirrors a time of preparation, purification, and transformation.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, the Church calls us to turn our hearts back to God through three essential practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These disciplines are not ends in themselves but pathways that help us strip away distractions, confront whatever keeps us from God, and rediscover the joy of discipleship.
Lent ultimately leads us to the heart of the Christian mystery: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Church moves toward Holy Week and the celebration of Easter, Lent becomes a sacred pilgrimage, a time to slow down, reflect honestly, and allow God’s grace to reshape our lives.
All Catholics are called by divine law to embrace the spirit of penance, each according to his or her circumstances. Yet the Church, desiring that we walk this path together, sets aside particular days of penance so that the whole community may share in a common practice of conversion.
On these sacred days, Catholics are invited in a special way to turn their hearts to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, to carry out their daily responsibilities with renewed faithfulness, and to practice self‑denial. In a particular manner, we are encouraged to observe the Church’s disciplines of fasting and abstinence, allowing these outward signs to deepen our inner desire for holiness and union with God.
The following are the Lenten penitential regulations for Catholics:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast. On days of fast, one full meal and two smaller meatless meals are allowed. Eating between meals is not permitted. Catholics who have completed their 18th year are bound by this law until the beginning of their 60th year.
Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence. On days of abstinence, meat may not be taken. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics who have completed their 14th year.
All Catholics are obliged to do penance; however, not everyone may be able to observe the above regulations of fasting and abstinence because of ill health or other legitimate reasons. Those who are excused from the laws of fasting and abstinence are encouraged to practice other forms of penance and self‑denial suited to their circumstances.
In addition, Catholics are encouraged, when possible, to participate in Holy Mass during the week in addition to Sunday Mass; to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation; to take part in Lenten devotions such as the Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic Adoration, family prayer, and Scripture reading; and to share their time and resources with those in need.
Lent can become a season of resurrection long before Easter dawns. It is a time to allow the Risen Lord to live out His victory over sin more fully within us, so that when Easter arrives, we can renew our baptismal promises with conviction and truly experience the hope, joy, and peace of Christ’s Resurrection.
Stations of the Cross – Fridays of Lent:
- February 20, 7:00 pm – St. George Church
- February 27, 7:00 pm – St. Mary Church
- March 6, 7:00 pm – St. George Church
- March 13, 7:00 pm – St. Mary Church
- March 20, 7:00 pm – St. George Church
- March 27, 7:00 pm – St. Mary Church
Sacrament of Reconciliation before the Stations of the Cross: 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Saturdays: 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm - St. George Church
Lenten Reconciliation Service – March 26, 7:00 pm - St. Mary Church
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction:
St. George Church, Tuesdays: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
St. Mary Church, First Friday of the month: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Parish Census
St. Mary Parish needs to update their records. Many addresses, phone numbers and email addresses have changed. Please fill out the form and return in the collection basket or at the parish office. If you are new to St. Mary Parish and have not registered, please do so.
We need everyone's help to get an accurate update. Thank you!
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