We
are at the beginning of Lent, a time of penance and
interior renewal to enable us to prepare for Easter. The
Church's liturgy unceasingly invites us to purify our
souls and to begin again.
Remember! Despite this reminder we sometimes forget that without God we are nothing. Without God, all that remains of man's greatness is that little pile of dust, in a dish on one side of the altar, on Ash Wednesday. It is what the church marks us with on our forehead, as though with our own substance.
God wants us to detach ourselves from the things of the earth and return to Him. He wants us to abandon sin, and for us to return to the fount of life and joy. The song "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" gives us a hint of the focus of the season. Jesus is calling for you and for me to come home.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
ABSTINENCE prohibits the eating of meat (beast
or fowl), but not eggs, milk products or condiments
of any kind, even though made from animal fat.
This obligation is to be observed by all Catholics 14
years old and older.
FASTING means a limit of one full meal for all
between the ages of 18 and 59. On fast days, two
additional smaller meals are permitted, but together
they may not equal one full meal. Also, eating solid
foods between meals on fast days is not permitted,
but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are
allowed.
Feb. 6th is Ash
Wednesday, the first day
of Lent.
Masses are at 6:30 AM;
8:00 AM; 12:00 Noon;
6:30 PM and 8:00 PM
(Spanish).
Ashes will be distributed during the
Masses.
(Confessions will not be heard on Ash Wednesday
because of the Mass. See below for our Confession times).
LENTEN MASSES AND SERVICES
ADDITIONAL MASSES: There will be an additional Mass at 7:00 PM on Friday evenings during Lent (regular daily Mass is at 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM).
STATIONS: Stations of the Cross will be held on Fridays at 12 Noon and after Friday's 7:00 PM Lenten Mass.
CONFESSIONS: Regular Confession is held every Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:15 PM; Saturdays 4-4:45 PM (except Holy Saturday). There will be a special Parish Penance Service on Tuesday, March 11, at 7:30 PM.
HOLY WEEK
(Special Services and Events)
Sunday, Mar. 16: PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY
8:45 AM: Procession (Courtyard)Wednesday, Mar. 19:
7:30 PM: TenebraeThursday, Mar. 20: HOLY THURSDAY
No 6:30 AM Mass
No Adoration
7:30 PM: Bilingual Liturgy, followed by Adoration in Parish Center until Midnight
Friday, Mar. 21: GOOD FRIDAY
No 6:30 AM Mass
No Adoration
11:00 AM-1:00 PM: Confession
12:00 PM: Stations of the Cross
7:30 PM: Good Friday LiturgySaturday, Mar. 22: HOLY SATURDAY
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Confession
8:00 PM: Easter Vigil
10:45 PM: Spanish Vigil MassSunday, Mar. 23: EASTER SUNDAY:
Masses: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM and 12:15 PM (Correction, not 12:45 PM);
2:00 PM Spanish Easter Liturgy
There will be NO 5:00 PM Mass on Easter Sunday.
“The Light Is On For You” is an archdiocesan initiative to all Catholics to avail themselves of the sacrament of reconciliation. Confession is a wonderful opportunity to set aside our sinful ways and draw closer to our Lord. Confessions will be held every Wednesday during Lent in every Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Washington. (Mother Seton’s confessions will begin at 6:00 PM, as usual. For those who work in downtown D.C., visit the ADW Confession Schedules for Downtown Parishes and Shrines page.) This is a wonderful opportunity to come to confession as a family or to invite a friend whom you know has not had the opportunity to go to confession in some time. |
