ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, February 22, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the penitential season of Lent. Masses will be celebrated, and ashes will be distributed at 6:30am, 8:15am (with our school community), and at 6:30pm. In addition, a prayer service with the distribution of ashes will be held at 12:00 noon.
FAST & ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday (February 22) and Good Friday (April 7) are daysof fast and abstinence. Fasting is required of Catholics aged 18-59 and means having one full meal, two smaller meals, and nothing in between meals, though water and medicine are always permitted. Abstinence is abstaining from eating
meat for all Catholics over the age of 14. No Catholic should lightly excuse himself or herself from this obligation.
All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. Here again, Catholics will not hold themselves lightly excused, but if there is a serious health problem, this obligation does not apply. This year, since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, the Archbishop has dispensed from the obligation to abstain on March 17.
Catholics should strive to make all days of Lent a time of prayer and penance.
PARISH LENTEN PROJECT
This year, as part of our Lenten almsgiving, we are undertaking a Parish Lenten Project in support of our own Mandeville Fund. The Mandeville Fund, in honor of Sr. John Mandeville, former principal of St. Margaret of Scotland School, provides scholarship assistance to minority and non-Catholic students to attend our parish grade school, strengthening our school’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and
equity. All funds raised will be distributed to families in need in the years to come. To donate, use an envelope provided in Church, or give online through our parish website. Thanks for your generosity!
LENTEN RESOURCES
At the doors of Church, you will find the “Little Black Book” (for adults) and the
“Little Purple Book” (for children). These daily reflection books can aid in your
Lenten prayer and reflection.
Refer to the Lenten calendar (link below) for details about Stations of the Cross,
Lenten suppers, and other opportunities during the season of Lent.
Finally, mark your calendars for our Lenten Reconciliation Service on Tuesday,
March 14, at 7:00pm, and look for other opportunities for Confession during Lent.