St. Michael Catholic Church
Lent
LENTEN PRACTICES
You are reminded of the Church’s laws for fast and abstinence
during Lent, which begins on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
ASH WEDNESDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting. Catholics
between the ages of 18 and 59 are permitted one full meal
and two lesser meals per day (which together should not
equal one full meal), with no eating between meals.
Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
Catholics who are 14 years or older should abstain
from meat entirely. Soups and gravies made from meat are permitted.
Ash Wednesday Masses:
8:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 6:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross—Fridays:
March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8,
April 15.—6:00 p.m. in church.
Soup & Bread—Fridays:
March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8,
April 15—6:30 p.m. in the parish hall following the Stations
of the Cross—open to the entire parish—if anyone would like
to donate soup or bread, please contact the host for that day.
March 11—Men’s Club—Jack Englert—491-0412
March 18—CCW—Maryellen Collavo—412-977-0683
March 25—Theresians—Joan Raimondo—261-2707
April 1—MOMS—Jeanne Dean—261-3472
April 8—K of C—Charlie Finnigan—225-9024
April 15—Youth—Buster Kennedy—261-3472 ext. 16
There will be no altar flowers during Lent in recognition of
the sobriety of the season.
St. Michael Parish Reconciliation Service—Wednesday—
April 13—7:00 p.m. in church
All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Catholics who are 14 years or older should abstain from meat entirely. Soups and gravies made from meat are permitted.
Lent begins with ashes and with hearts seeking conversion. When we lack desire for change, the ashes remain a mere sign; only self-sacrifice and changes in our behavior transform the ashes into a symbol. And while every faith-filled life has intense moments of conversion, the work of shaping a life around a relationship with Jesus mostly happens in our relationships with one another. Lent expands into human hearts through new efforts, and Jesus shows it can be done.
The commitments we make to reform our lives during Lent needn’t be revolutionary. With the encouragement and example of others, we too can find simple practices and devotions to unite us to Christ. We can find that a balanced commitment of time to family, work and service is possible. And we can find that spending time alone in quiet prayer with the Scriptures yields insights into God’s deep love and forgiveness no matter what we’ve done.
For forty days he Church makes an extra effort to turn the sign of ashes into a symbol by following Jesus’ last days. Redemption through ongoing conversion is ours.