*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. Lent is fast approaching! On Wednesday, February 17th, the Church begins the Penitential Season of Lent. Ash Wednesday Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Liturgy of the Word Services (with Distribution of Ashes) will be offered at 12:10 PM and 4:15 PM. As per usual - Social Distancing (100-Person Max in Church / 50-Person Max in O’Connor Hall), as well as Mask Wearing, is mandatory. By directive from the Vatican and Archdiocese of Newark, ashes will be sprinkled on the top of heads instead of traced on foreheads to avoid contact due to the pandemic. While this is unusual for us, this is the common practice in Italy, Poland, and other European countries. Perhaps in this adaptation and these pandemic times lies a challenge for us to enter into the Season of Lent more deeply. This year, without a visible mark on our foreheads, we are invited to truly pattern our lives on repentance and belief in the Gospel thereby offering a witness through prayer, fast, and almsgiving. We hope you will join us as we enter into this Holy Season! Lenten RegulationsArchdiocese of Newark
2021 Lenten Regulations
*Canon 920, §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. ![]() "Christmas Time and Easter Time highlight the central mysteries of the Paschal Mystery, namely, the incarnation, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time, on the other hand, take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ. Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ. The goal, toward which all of history is directed, is represented by the final Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe." (from USCCB.org on "Prayer and Worship") Have you made your "New Year's Resolutions" yet? God is "Here With Us" in the gift of His Most Holy Eucharist. Could you give Him some of your time this year? STM has produced this special music video (also below) for all of you! It's a: a quick Catechesis on the Eucharist, a reflection on the Incarnation & Eucharist, and an invitation to join us for Adoration (& the Sacrament of Reconciliation) on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30 PM. Click here for information on our Saturday Adoration & Confessions. Consider making a resolution to spend some time in Adoration with Jesus Christ present in the Most Holy Eucharist. Perhaps start with a few minutes each week and work toward making a Holy Hour over the course of the year. Bring your family for some time in prayer together! Commit yourself to regularly making a Sacramental Confession. Make your resolutions realistic and attainable so Jesus can really walk with you! We are all called to holiness—to sanctity—to sainthood in the HERE and NOW.
Jesus is present in the HERE and NOW waiting for us...meeting us where we're at! Here's to a Happy, Healthy, and Holy New Year! |
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April 2021
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