F.Y.I. - The priests prayer of Absolution in the sacrament of confession will be changing very slightly. Read more ( here ). Nothing changes for the person going to confession.
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“Because in life’s journey, as in every journey, what really matters is not to lose sight of the goal. If what interests us as we travel, however, is looking at the scenery or stopping to eat, we will not get far. We should ask ourselves: On the journey of life, do I seek the way forward? Or am I satisfied with living in the moment and thinking only of feeling good, solving some problems and having fun? What is the path? Is it the search for health, which many today say comes first but which eventually passes? Could it be possessions and well-being? But we are not in the world for this. Return to me, says the Lord. To me. The Lord is the goal of our journey in this world. The direction must lead to him.” — Francis (6 Mar 2019)
Enter Well the Season of Lent
We encourage you to take some time before then to recall the Church’s mind and heart on the Spiritual purpose of Lent and begin with both prayer and intellectual preparation for the season so you may begin the lenten journey well and with mature and intentional preparation. If you weren’t ready for Lent, but are seeing this now, that is okay, make the best of the period of Lent that remains. Check out this short but very helpful video by Fr. Mike where he reviews the three pillars of Lent and gives us guidance and encouragement so we can open and prepare ourselves for this special time in the liturgical year.
Increased Prayer + Fasting + Almsgiving
Increased Prayer (Click for a Pillar of Lent Resource Card on Prayer)
Prayer is extremely important as it deepens and matures our relationship with the triune God. The Catechism teaches: “Whether prayer is expressed in words or gestures it is the whole person who prays. But naming the source of prayer Scriptures sometimes speaks of the soul or the spirit but most often from the heart (more than 1000 times). According to Scripture it is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God the words of prayer are in vain. (2562)
Fasting (Click for a Pillar of Lent Resource Card on Fasting)
“Fasting is one of the most ancient actions linked to Lent. Fasting rules have changed through the ages, but throughout Church history fasting has been considered sacred. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God. Therefore, the goal of fasting is linked with prayer. The pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God, and prayer and fasting together brings us to what Lent is about – a deeper conversion.” (Encyclopedia of Catholic Spirituality and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Almsgiving (Click for a pillar of Lent Resource Card on Almsgiving)
“God’s becoming man is a great mystery! But the reason for all this is His love, a love which is grace, generosity, a desire to draw near, a love which does not hesitate to offer itself in sacrifice for the beloved…Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance.” – Pope Francis
- Links for Family Lenten Resources:
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross devotion will be offered each Friday of Lent at 7 pm in the church. As you enter, be sure to grab a little red book to have the prayers, readings, and chant for the devotion. Our school students will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, 24 March at 7 pm.
Sunday Holy Hour
Each Sunday of Lent, a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament will begin at 4 pm. About 4.40 we will sing Evening Prayer (worship aid will be provided each Sunday for the service) and close with Benediction at 5 pm.
Confession
Confession, the Sacrament of Mercy, is available on Saturday from 4-5 pm. Our Lenten Penance Service will be on Thursday, 30 March at 6.30 pm and on Reconciliation Monday, the Monday of Holy Week, 4-7 pm.
** Note: Read about a slight change coming in a few prayers during the celebration of confession (click here for more information).
40 Days of Exposition
As part of the Church of Columbus’ “40 days of adoration” our parish basilica will host Exposition of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on Thursday, 23 February from 10 am until 9 pm. Please make a plan on your daily schedule to stop by to sit and rest with the Lord.
Tenebrae
Tenebrae will be held on Sunday evening, 2 April at 7 pm in the basilica.
Reconciliation Monday
Reconciliation Monday, the Monday of Holy Week, from 4-7 pm.
** Note: Read about a slight change coming in a few prayers during the celebration of confession (click here for more information).
“The Lord is more anxious to forgive our sins than a woman is to carry her baby out of a burning building.” -St. John Vianney