Buckle up as Lent begins on Wednesday, March 6th, 2019: Ash Wednesday!
During this article, I would like to point out some dates, experiences and focus for our parishes.
First, please bring in your palms from last year. (I apologize for not putting this in my article or the bulletin!) I will be putting this on our Facebook page for our parishes, and please spread the word, because…
On Tuesday, March 5th we will be burning the Palms after our last Ordinary Time daily Mass. The burning will take place in the parking lot at St. Thomas Aquinas. Then, after the burnt palms have been cooled, we will be showing with our students how we “filter” the burnt palms into ashes, which will then be distributed for Ash Wednesday itself.
Then, you will have three choices for Ash Wednesday: 8:30am at St. Thomas Aquinas (as our students will be going to Mass), 5:00pm at St. Columban and 6:30pm back to St. Thomas Aquinas. Please remember that on Ash Wednesday, we should not eat meat, and it is a day of “abstinence,” meaning two small meals and one typical meal and no snacks between them.
Similarly, we should not eat meat during Lent on Fridays, and you may always join our Knights of Columbus for their fish fries. Right after the Knights dinners, we will also have prayerfulness with the Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm each Friday.
Also, we have an excellent opportunity for all of our parishioners as we will be listening to Bishop Robert Barron with the “Pivotal Players” in our Catholic history. These will take place on the four Sundays in March (10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st) in the Chapel within our offices' building (which used to be called “The Rectory”) at 6:30. I am very excited to offer this as part of my growth with knowledge with you too.
Like years before, you may receive the chance to join our 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration. The exposition will begin Tuesday, April 9th in the evening and conclude with reposition and benediction at 8:30am on Thursday, April 11th before our usual daily Mass. You will see more details later about reconciliation (with a few priests from out of town to support your Confession), a speaker, praise and worship music and other types of prayers within Eucharistic Adoration, and this will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas church.
Once again, we will be offering books from Dynamic Catholic. Many of these will be given out during our 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration as well as on Easter.
On Monday, April 15th, we will once again rent a bus to allow our parishioners, some of our students and teachers to experience the Chrism Mass at our Cathedral in Duluth. Within this essential Mass, Bishop Paul Sirba will bless three different oils that each of our parishes uses: Chrism, Oil for the Sick and Oil for the Catechumens as well as the priests will renew their vows. I highly invite you to make it to this essential Mass that connects our entire Diocese with our Bishop, priests, deacons, sisters and laity—our whole family in the Diocese of Duluth. Please come!
Also, the Triduum (three days) occurs on Thursday, April 18th (Holy Thursday), Friday, April 19th (Good Friday) and Saturday, April 20th (Easter Vigil). Times will be sent out in the future.
Finally, I discern for goals and challenges with my body, mind and soul within Lent. Consider discerning those types of sacrifices, aka, those we can give things away, and also grow in your spiritual journey.
Let’s walk on that narrow path to Jesus Christ during Lent to prepare our celebration for Easter!
God Bless!
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