Lenten Fasting and Abstinence During Lent
The rules for fasting and abstinence in the United States are: Every person 14 years or older must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. Every person between the age of 18 and 59 (beginning of 60th year) must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is one full meal and two smaller meals and fast between meals.
Stations of the Cross – For all and especially for those who may not be able to get church for the Stations, we share with you the Stations of the Cross from OLG. It is a mediative Stations that we hope you will take and pray in your home. Click here for mediative questions for the Stations.
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Confessions
Confessions are heard each Saturday beginning at 1:15pm. Confessions will be held in the Parish Center. Please enter by the “Red Doors” You must wear a face mask. Confessions will be in Madonna Hall! Confession will be heard until all confessions are heard. Confessions are being celebrated in the Parish Center because it allows for better air filtering and social distancing. Please keep each other safe!
Lenten Prayers
Dear Jesus Christ, I come to you in prayer to ask for your help in strengthening my faith and relationship during this Lenten season. In my daily life, may I imitate your character more and show greater respect and concern for my neighbors and the marginalized. Please give me the strength and courage to do these things. Amen.
Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man and giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You by following His example of suffering and make us worthy to share in His Resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen
Prayer of Giving
Loving and gracious God, I have given gold, But there is only so much gold. I have given blood, But I have only so much blood to give. I have given my time, But days have only so many hours. I have given my strength, But even that has its limits. So I give my love. Because love is gold, and love is blood. And love is time, and love is strength. But love is also so much more. Because love is God. And God is love. And only you, God, have no limits. Amen
Prayer for the Poor
God of Justice, open our eyes to see you in the face of the poor. Open our ears to hear you in the cries of the exploited. Open our mouths to defend you in the public squares as well as in private deeds. Remind us that what we do to the least ones, we do to you. Amen
We Hunger and Thirst for Holiness
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: you make us hunger and thirst for holiness. Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: you call us to true fasting: to set free the oppressed, to share our bread with the hungry, to shelter the homeless and to clothethe naked.
—A prayer from Catholic Relief Services