Fasting and Abstinence

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence [not eating meat]. The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may also be taken, but not to equal a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. From www.usccb.org

CRS Rice Bowl...

... is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program for families and faith communities in the United States who want to put their faith into action. Through CRS Rice Bowl, participants are invited to hear stories about their brothers and sisters in need around the world, and devote their Lenten prayers, fasting and alms to change the lives of those who suffer in poverty. Participants journey through the 40 days of Lent with a collection of daily reflections and activities included in the CRS Rice Bowl calendar and on the mobile app at crsricebowl.org/about/ricebowl-faq. Rice Bowls are in the back of the church. Please take one per family and return it on Good Friday.

Lenten Penance Service

Parish Penance Service Holy Saturday (April 11), from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Fr. Kenny will be in the Reconciliation Room and Fr. Enrique will be in the Sacristy behind the Altar. Please remember to keep your social distance.

Through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, the Church offers followers of Christ an opportunity to share in God’s merciful love and be renewed in the community of the Church. Following the cross can often be difficult, but the guarantee of the cross is that sin and evil will be overcome. Acknowledging sin is a step forward in the Christian life. Whenever we turn to God in sorrow, God always meets us with forgiveness and healing. We invite you to participate in this Sacrament and experience God’s Mercy. If it's been a while and you need to refresh yourself on the sacrament read this how to-guide from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

About the Triduum

The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter
Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.

The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.
The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:

Mass of the Lord's Supper
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord

Holy Week

Chrism Mass - Blessing of the Holy Oils - Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper - Thursday, April 9, - 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul

Good Friday - The Lord's Passion - Friday, April 10, - 3:00 p.m., view live on our Facebook page.

Holy Saturday - The Resurrection of the Lord -At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter - Saturday, April 11, - 8:00 p.m., view live on our Facebook page.

Easter Sunday - The Resurrection of the Lord - Sunday, April 12, - 10:00 a.m., view live on our Facebook page.

TV Mass for the Homebound

Is someone you love unable to join us at church during this holy time of Lent and Easter? For the faithful at home or in healthcare settings, the Heart of the Nation Sunday TV Mass brings spiritual comfort and the blessings of joy-filled hope in our Risen Savior. Please invite anyone you know who cannot get out to church to tune in to a Palm Sunday and Easter Catholic Mass Catholic Mass on one of many local channels (view list of channels) or watch online at www.HeartoftheNation.org. For those who can get to church, the TV or online liturgy does not fulfill the Sunday Mass obligation!