Saint Michael Parish
Welcomes You
The Season of Lent
During this Lenten Season, may our words, actions, and prayers bear fruit – that is, grow closer to God in faith!
From our Pastor...
ASH WEDNESDAY
(On Ash Wednesday)...we gather to commit ourselves to our annual Lenten journey. Enriched with the Word of God, nourished with the Body of Christ, and marked with the Ashes of Repentance, we are sent out into the world, much like Christ in the desert. Our journey is one that seeks to renew us in the constant process of conversion. Through the traditional practices of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, we are invited to reflect more deeply on our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. May this coming season of Lent become more than a “this is what we always do” approach, and rather, challenge us to discover a greater sense of devotion in living out our faith. A reminder that we will have three Masses on Ash Wednesday to begin this holy season – 8:00am, 12:15pm and 6:00pm. Please plan to join with our parish family as we prepare ourselves for the joy of the Easter Resurrection.
As the words of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, heard every Ash Wednesday remind us, “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation”.
PRAYER, while always necessary for our relationship with God, is a valuable part of the Lenten journey. We are invited to consider increased participation at Mass, the prayer of the Stations of the Cross, or other forms of prayer – all leading us to a deeper understanding of God’s presence in our lives.
FASTING refers to limitations on food and drink. The regulations of fast prescribe taking only one full meal a day, with two smaller ones; nothing in between meals. There are two days of fast: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Additionally, individuals are asked to reflect on their lives and seek to fast from something that has kept them from focusing more on their relationship with the Lord (i.e. – excessive TV or social media, certain foods or vices, etc.).
ABSTAINING means refraining from certain kinds of food or drink, typically meat. Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent including Good Friday are days of abstaining from meat.
ALMSGIVING,like prayer, should always be part of our Christian journey, but like prayer, becomes a heightened awareness and understanding during the Lenten season. Consider your gift to the 2026 Annual Diocesan Appeal – One in Hope, One in Mission, contributions to the Holy Week collections for Catholic Relief Services (Rice Bowl on Holy Thursday and the Holy Land on Good Friday), as well as an increased contributions to the parish and other charities of choice. Don’t forget our “Green Eggs (or any color) and Ham” collection. Like the very successful Turkey Connection, we will be collecting Hams (not baked) and colored Easter eggs for Easter Dinners at area soup kitchens. This will be on Tuesday, March 31, from 10:00am – 3:00pm in the parish hall.
ASH WEDNESDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Mass with distribution of ashes will be at
8:00am, 12:15pm, and 6:00pm.
LENTEN DEVOTIONS: WEDNESDAY – 7:00pm
weekly opportunity for prayer and reflection.
February 25.... Holy Hour with a reflection on Prayer
March 4...........“Light is On” Penance Service
March 11......... Holy Hour with a reflection of Fasting
March 18......... Holy Hour with a reflection on Almsgiving
March 25......... Annunciation/Stations of the Cross
CLEAN UP YOUR ACT FOR LENT
Beginning next weekend, we will be collecting personal hygiene and household cleaning items for those in need throughout our community. Any items may be placed in the bins located at the entrances of the Church. All items will then be distributed through Catholic Charities. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
PALM SUNDAY PASTA DINNER
Sunday, March 29 from 12:30–3:00pm in the FLC.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
On the Fridays of Lent (February 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20, and 27), Mass will be held at 8:00am followed by Stations of the Cross at 8:30. Please plan on making this part of your Lenten Journey.