ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, February 18, 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 distribution of ashes will be held at 12:00pm Noon.
FAST & ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday (February 18) and Good Friday (April 3) are days of 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.
Catholics should strive to make all days of Lent a time of prayer and penance.
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 SMOS Lenten Calendar (printed in the February 15th bulletin and copies available in the back of Church on Ash Wednesday) for details about Stations of the Cross, Lenten suppers, and other opportunities during the season of Lent – including our Parish Lenten Project with Wellston Center.
Finally, mark your calendars for our Lenten Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30pm, and look for other opportunities for Confession during Lent.
FIRST Days Of LENT – FEBRUARY 19 & 20
- Women’s Fellowship Lenten Reflections, February 19, 7:00-8:00pm, Canmore Room
- Youth Ministry Lenten Dinner, February 20, 5:30-7:30pm, Parish Hall
- Stations of the Cross led by the LJM Immigration Team, February 20, 7:00-7:30pm, Church
PARISH LENTEN PROJECT
This Lent, as part of our commitment to almsgiving, St. Margaret of Scotland will participate in our annual Parish Lenten Project by supporting the St. Augustine Wellston Center. This Catholic ministry operates a food pantry and thrift store serving several neighborhoods in North St. Louis—among the poorest in our state—with the conviction that no one should ever go hungry. We invite you to join us this Lent in supporting this vital work through prayer, financial giving, and opportunities for direct service. More information about these opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks. Donations may be made using the envelopes available in church during Lent or online through our parish website. Thank you for your generosity and faithful support.
