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Ash Wednesday is February 17th. Two Holy Masses will be celebrated with the blessing and distribution of ashes.

• 12:00 Noon – Holy Mass and distribution of blessed ashes sprinkled on the top of our head.
• 7:30 PM Holy Mass and distribution of blessed ashes sprinkled on the top of our head.

This Ash Wednesday, in the interest of safety concerns, the ashes we will be sprinkled / strewn over the crown of the head at both Holy Masses.

Sprinkling a few ashes on the top of the head is an ancient custom in the Church and is used in different countries (e.g., several countries in Europe). This decision was made by our bishops to avoid the contact of finger to forehead, and thereby to encourage everyone’s fullest participation in this ancient rite.

Our Observances in Great Lent

As we enter into the Season of Great Lent this Ash Wednesday, February 17th, I extend to you my invitation and encouragement to observe a Holy Lenten season through self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial. By reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.

I hope you will find time each day to read a portion of Holy Scripture daily of Gospel. You may choose the Gospel of St. Mark since it is us is used in this liturgical year, Cycle B.

This Lent, I want you to consider doing something you might never have thought before to do: ask yourself where God may be leading you in your personal life and in your discipleship for the benefit of Holy Cross Church.

Please remember about abstinence from meat each Wednesday and Friday. The elderly and children do not have to fast and those who have chronic illnesses. Most importantly plan fast from the most serious of your moral failings or weaknesses. I pray that you will make this Lenten a time to renew your faith and your commitment to God and God’s community of Holy Cross Church.

Putting into Practice the Four Traditional Lenten Disciplines

PRAYING is the first of the Lenten disciplines: Praying daily at home. Praying every Sunday in Church at Mass. Prayer through attendance at Stations of the Cross each Friday at 7:30pm (plan to attend).

ALMSGIVING • providing increased offerings to the Church • contributing more broadly to various parish projects and needs. • consider responding to some requests you receive in the mail for worthy charities. • consider in your will and testament to include a bequest from your estate to the Holy Cross Church.

FASTING is a long-hallowed Lenten discipline: • adjusting your dietary routines by abstaining from eating meat on every Friday and Wednesday • giving up one or more things you like to eat or something you enjoy during Lenten season • fasting from wrongdoing, rather, plan doing acts of love towards others, random acts of kindness towards others.

On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays and Wednesdays of Lent everyone of age 14 and up should abstain from consuming meat.

On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Everyone of age 18 to 59 should fast, unless exempt due to medical reason; individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also, pregnant women should not fast. Fasting means a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two light meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

As you give up something for seven weeks that you are particularly fond of, fast also on those things that distance yourselves from God such as greed, unkindness, untruth, disregard for others, self-centeredness. As you abstain from these, eliminating them from your patterns of behavior, replace them with Christian virtues listed in St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: “Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

As Jesus Christ preached, taught, healed and served others, plan to spend some time with others on the phone or in person who is alone and who need your help, support and encouragement.