Lent 2007

We are about to enter the season of Lent, the penitential period in which we remember the forty days when Jesus Christ fasted and prayed in the desert before He began His public ministry. During this season, Catholics traditionally prepare for the most sacred time of the Liturgical year, Holy Week and Easter, the commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 21, 2007. Ashes will be distributed during the Masses only. The Masses on Ash Wednesday will be held at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:00 Noon, 6:15 PM, and 8:00 PM.

At St. Thomas Aquinas we will add one more weekday Mass during Lent—a 6:15 PM Wednesday Mass beginning on the Wednesday after Ash Wednesday. This is in addition to the Tuesday and Thursday evening Masses at 6:15 PM and the 8:00 AM Masses Monday through Friday.

The Confession schedule will be expanded to include Confession time after the Wednesday evening Mass until 8:00 PM. Other regular Confession times are Tuesdays from the end of 8:00 AM Mass until 9:30 AM, Thursdays 5:00 to 6:00 PM, and Saturdays 2:45 to 3:45 PM.

Ash Wednesday is an obligatory day of Fasting (only one full meal is permitted and two smaller meals are allowed, and nothing between meals except liquids), and Abstinence (no meat). Fasting is required of Catholics ages 21-59. All Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence from eating meat. Abstinence is required of all Catholics ages 14 and older.

Stations of the Cross will be held on the Fridays of Lent at 7:00 PM. Lenten Organ and Choral Concerts will be held each Friday after the evening Stations.

Holy Hours Everyone is encouraged to spend a Holy Hour in prayer in the church one hour a week for the six weeks of Lent. Please sign the book in the vestibule when you make your Holy Hour.

Rice Bowls During Lent, remember those who are less fortunate by participating in Operation Rice Bowl. Your donations will help to support the work of Catholic Relief Services around the world. Rice Bowls are available in the vestibule.

During Lent we should remember to pray for the candidates and catechumens who will complete the intense preparation for reception into the Church. For each of us spiritual preparation might include fasting, prayer and participating in liturgy and personal reflection upon the need in each of our lives for sacrifice, repentance and the simplification of our lifestyles. Daily Mass, personal acts of penitence and devotion, almsgiving and doing the works of justice, coming to the Stations of the Cross, making a retreat—in each of these ways we may enter contemplatively into the passion and death of Jesus Christ in anticipation of a joyous Easter.