BEGINNING OF LENT:

ASH WEDNESDAY this week, February 25th, 2009, is a DAY OF UNIVERSAL FAST AND ABSTINENCE. Holy Masses with distribution of ashes in our church will be celebrated at 8:00 AM (E); 10:30 AM NOLM; 12:30 PM Extraordinary Form; 6:00 PM Extraordinary Form and 7:30 PM (E).

        Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter.

       The collection on Ash Wednesday helps the St. Vincent de Paul Society feed hungry people in Oakland. We are also collecting imperishable food items. Barrels for food have been placed in the vestibule of our church. “I was hungry and you gave me no food.” PLEASE SHARE YOUR FOOD WITH HUNGRY PEOPLE.

       PLEASE TAKE HOME A “RICE BOWL” from the vestibule of the church. We will collect this money on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009.

 

Fasting, Abstinence and Works of Mercy:

In 1966 Pope Paul VI reorganized the Church's practice of public penance in his "Apostolic Constitution on Penance" (Poenitemini). The 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law incorporated the changes made by Pope Paul VI. Not long after that, the U.S. bishops applied the canonical requirements to the practice of public penance in our country. To sum up those requirements, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting, as explained by the U.S. bishops, means partaking in only one full meal. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening, depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.