Lent enables us, by great traditional practices of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and new acts of justice, to recognize that we are sons and daughters and not slaves. Many people become slaves of the idols, entertainments, and compulsions that hold them bound. Lent, and its practices, begin to break those enticing but anesthetizing ways of life. Lent proclaims: “Wake up and be converted.”

-- Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and lasts until Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025. Ash Wednesday is a universal day of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the imposition of ashes on foreheads “symbolizes our dependence upon God's mercy and forgiveness.”

• Soup & Stations: Every Friday during Lent. Join us for a simple soup Dinner at 6PM, followed by Stations of the Cross at 7PM. This event is graciously hosted by our Faith Formation teams.
• 40 Cans for Lent: The Knights of Columbus will be conducting their annual 40 Cans for Lent food drive starting on Ash Wednesday.  All parishioners are asked to donate 40 non-perishable food items as part of their charitable outreach.  It’s as easy as 7 items per week.  Donations can be placed in the collection bin located in the narthex.  All items will be sent to local food pantries.  Thanks to your generosity we were able to donate over 1,500 pounds of food last year.  Let’s try and exceed that amount and go for 2,000 pounds this year.  If you need more information please contact Greg Garvin ([email protected]).
• Lenten Parish Mission: March 10, 11, and 12. Please save the date to join us for this year’s Lenten Parish Mission. We will have a special guest speaker, Rev. Richard Hinkley, STL. Father Richard is Coordinator of Spiritual Formation, and Spiritual Director at Houston’s St. Mary’s Seminary. 
• Dead Sea Scroll Lecture: Thursday, March 27 from 7-9pm or Saturday, March 29 from 10am-2pm. You are invited to a Lecture about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Light refreshments will be provided by the Knights of Columbus.
• Lenten Penance Service:  Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00-9:00PM. Come to this special Penance service during the Lenten Season. There will be several priests available to hear confession.
• Lenten Day of Reflection: Saturday, April 5 from 10AM to 3PM. Join us for this special day of prayer. Will begin with after the 9AM Daily mass and move to the PLC for sessions of instructive videos and small group discussion.

Roman Catholics must fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Additionally, they must abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent.

As outlined on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' website on Lenten fasting and abstinence, “fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year and have not yet reached their 60th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have reached their 14th year.

The rule of abstinence from meat is binding upon Catholics aged 14 and onwards. This does not apply to dairy products, eggs, or condiments and shortening made from animal fat. Fish and all cold-blooded animals may be eaten (e.g., frogs, clams, turtles, etc.)