Lent at St. Mary of the Assumption 2009

 

Ash Wednesday, February 25 to Palm Sunday, April 5

 

	Page
Shrove Tuesday	3,8
Ash Wednesday	3
Sundays in Lent	4
Mondays in Lent	5
Tuesdays in Lent	5
Wednesdays in Lent	5
Thursdays in Lent	5
Fridays in Lent	6
Saturdays in Lent	6
Lent and the RCIA	7
Cross References
Confession Times	5,6
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament	5,6
Adoration with Mark Forrest	5
Stations of the Cross	6
Scripture Study	4
Healing Mass	5
40 Days for Life:  Lenten Fasting & Prayer	6,8
Longing for Something?:  Coming back to Church	8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Contact Fr. Foley for additional information 301/627-3255.

 

 Why do we receive ashes? 

 

Ashes are an ancient symbol of repentance (sackcloth and ashes). They also remind us of our mortality ("remember that you are dust") and thus of the day when we will stand before God and be judged.  To prepare well for the day we die, we must die now to sin and rise to new life in Christ. Being marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent indicates our recognition of the need for deeper conversion of our lives during this season of renewal.

 

Here at St. Mary’s, the ashes are made by burning the blessed palms   that were distributed last year on Palm Sunday; many of you returned your palms from your homes.  The burning of the palms will be done by our Cub Scouts after the 11:30a.m. Mass on February 22.

 

 

 

Lent 2009

 

The key to understanding the meaning of Lent is simple: Baptism.  Preparation for baptism and for renewing baptismal commitment lies at the heart of the

season.  Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has reemphasized the baptismal character of Lent, especially through the restoration of the

Catechumenate (weekly gatherings for those who have made the decision to join the Catholic faith) and its Lenten rituals.  Our challenge today is to renew our understanding of this important season of the Church year.

 

Lent is about conversion, turning our lives more completely over to Christ and his way of life. That always involves giving up sin in some form. The goal is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever. Conversion means leaving behind an old way of living and acting in order to embrace new life in Chri

Lenten Regulations

· Fasting:  Those 18 years old and not yet 60 years old are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday:  One main meal, two partial meals, and no snacks in between.

· Abstinence:  Those 14 and over are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

· Please note:  Lent is a time for penance and recognition of past sins.

.

 

Shrove Tuesday

February 24

St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus will follow the tradition of Shrove Tuesday by serving a pancake dinner on Tuesday, February 24 from 6-8p.m. at the school.  Donations accepted.  (For “What is Shrove Tuesday”, see page 8.)

 

Ash Wednesday

February 25

Mass Times:  8a.m.: 10a.m. at the school; 12 Noon; & 7:30p.m.     

Rosary at 7:40a.m.

(Ashes are distributed after the Homily)

 

Parish Mission

 February 28 - March 4

 

Spirituality of Icons in the Eastern Church Traditions

 

With Fr. Joseph P. Kennedy, retired priest of the Archdiocese of

Washington and former Associate of St. Mary of the Assumption.

 

                                                  

~ February 28 - March 1:  Fr. Kennedy will preach at all Masses

~ Sun,    March 1:                Opening Talk at 7:30p.m.

~ Mon,   March 2:                Talk following 8a.m. Mass;  & Talk at 7:30p.m.

~ Tue,     March 3:                Talk following 8a.m. Mass;  & HEALING MASS at 7:30p.m.

~ Wed, March 4:                  Talk following 8a.m. Mass;  & Talk at 7:30p.m.

 

Morning talks will run 45 minutes.  All talks will take place in the church

Private appointments can be made with Fr. Kennedy for Wed, March 4

by calling the Rectory.

 

  

Sundays in Lent

 

Regular Mass Schedule:  7:30a.m.; 9:30a.m.; 11:30a.m.

 

First Sunday of Lent - March 1

7:30p.m.:             First talk of Parish Mission by Fr. Joseph Kennedy in the church.

 

Second Sunday of Lent - March 8

9:30a.m. Mass:    Rite of Sending Forth to Rite of Election of our catechumen      and candidates.  See “RCIA” page 7.

 

5p.m. - 6p.m.:     Sunday Vespers and Scripture Study with Fr. White:  Beginning Sunday, March 8 through Sunday, April 5.  Come to the church to pray Sunday Evening Prayer and then study the 1st and 2nd letters of St. Paul to the Corinthians.  All are welcome!  Sign up sheets can be found on the bookcases.  Bring your bible.  Materials for Vespers will be provided. 

 

Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent - Mar 15, Mar 22, & Mar 29:

9:30a.m Mass:    Celebration of the Scrutinies.  See “RCIA” page 7.

 

5p.m. - 6p.m.:       Sunday Vespers and Scripture Study with Fr. White  in church.

 

Palm Sunday, April 5

9:30a.m. and 11:30a.m. Masses:  Procession will begin outside the church with  the blessing of palms.

 

5p.m. - 6p.m.:     Sunday Vespers and Scripture Study with Fr. White in church.

 

Seder Meal at the school (Details will be made available in future bulletins).

 

What is Vespers?

 

Vespers is the evening prayer service in the canonical hours.  The word comes from  Latin vesper,  meaning "evening."   Vespers is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office.  The chanting of Vespers in Latin continued down through the ages in some parish churches, usually on Sunday

afternoon.  

 

What’s different at Mass during Lent? 

 

The priest wears purple vestments*, in Lent to signify repentance.  We omit the Gloria (or Glory to God) in the first part of the Mass. We also do not sing the Alleluia before the reading of the Gospel because our focus is on the Kingdom coming, not on the Kingdom having come.

 

 

 *Rose colored vestments are worn on the 4th Sunday of Lent  (Laetare Sunday)

to suggest a pause or lift in the penitential focus of Lent.”

 

*Rose colored vestments are worn to suggest a pause or lift in the penitential focus of Lent.

 

 

 

 

Mondays in Lent

 

Regular Mass Schedule:  8a.m. and 12 Noon  (Rosary 7:40a.m.)

 

CCD Class:  7:15p.m.-8:15p.m. (at the school) Held every Monday in Lent

except  April 6.

 

Special Event:   Monday, March 2, Parish Mission talk by Fr. Kennedy after 8a.m. Mass and at 7:30p.m. in the church.

 

Tuesdays in Lent

 

Regular Mass Schedule: 8a.m. and 7:30p.m. (Rosary 7:40a.m. & 6:55p.m.)

 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:  8:30a.m. with Benediction at 7:20p.m.

 

Confessions:  6:30p.m.-7:15p.m

 

Special Events:

  ~Tuesday, March 3:  

                -Parish Mission talk by Fr. Kennedy after 8a.m. Mass

                -School Mass at 10a.m., Fr. Kennedy, Celebrant
              -Healing Mass at 7:30p.m. (homily by Fr. Kennedy)

   ~Tuesday, April 7:  Visit by our Dean, Fr. Michael Salah, 7:30p.m. Mass and

      Reception.  (Parishes of a diocese are gathered into deaneries in order to promote joint pastoral action.)

 

Wednesdays in Lent  (except Ash Wednesday)

 

Regular Mass Schedule:  8a.m. and 12 Noon (Rosary 7:40a.m.)

 

Special  Events:

~Wednesday, March 4:  Parish Mission talk by Fr. Kennedy after 8a.m. Mass and at 7:30p.m. in the church.

~Wednesday, March 11:  Eucharistic Adoration with Mark Forrest, 7p.m.-9p.m. in the church with music, prayers, and meditations by Mark Forrest, International Irish Tenor.  No better way to spend an evening in Lent!  Bring your friends and family. Good will offering.  Reception immediately after Adoration in the parish hall.  (Sponsored by the Teen Club)

 

Thursdays in Lent

 

Regular Mass Schedule:  8a.m. and 12 Noon (Rosary 7:40a.m.)

 

Special Event:             Thursday, March 19, rehearsal for First Holy Communion at 7:30p.m. in the church.

 

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving ...Since the early centuries the Church has suggested we undertake these during Lent.  It is for this reason that the Gospel text for Ash Wednesday every year is Jesus’ advice on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 

During Lent, let us pray more, fast and help the poor.

 

 

Fridays in Lent

 

Regular Mass Schedule:  8a.m. and 12 Noon in church (Rosary 7:40a.m.)

8:45a.m. at school (no school Mass on Friday, February 27 or Friday, March 6)

 

First Friday Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  March 6 & April 3 after 8a.m. Mass.

 

Stations of the Cross: (All Stations will be held at the church during Lent)

February 27          @ 1:00p.m.  and 7:30p.m.   (Rosary at 7p.m.)

March 6 @ 1:00p.m.  and 7:30p.m.       “   “

March 13               @ 1:00p.m.  and 7:30p.m.       “   “

March 20               @ 1:00p.m.  and 7:30p.m.       “   “

March 27               @ 1:00p.m.  and 7:30p.m.       “   “

April 3     @ 1:00p.m.  and 7:30p.m.       “   “

Note:  After the Stations of the Cross, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, short scripture meditation, ending with Benediction.

 

Soup and Salad:                                 (Sponsored by the Teen Club)

6:p.m.-7:15p.m  - Soup & Salad will be served in the parish hall before

the evening Stations of the Cross.  If you haven’t come in the past, please

consider coming – enjoy a good meal and fellowship!!  No charge. 

 

Saturdays in Lent

 

Regular Mass Schedule:  Saturday Daily Mass 8a.m. (Rosary 7:40a.m.)

                                   Saturday Vigil Masses 5p.m.; 7p.m.

 

Regular Confession Schedule:  4p.m.-5p.m.

 

First Saturdays, March 7 and April 4: Fatima Devotions at 7:30a.m.

                                                        Mass at 8a.m. followed by confessions

 

Fourth Saturdays, February 28 and March 28:  St. Mary’s parishioners are asked to participate in “40 Days for Life” - Prayer and Fasting for the closure of Berwyn Heights Abortion Mill.  Great idea for your Lenten fasting and prayer (see page 8 for more information).

 

Special Event:  Saturday, March 21 - First Holy Communion at 10a.m.

 

Why do we cover the statues on the Fifth Sunday of Lent?

 

This practice is dependent upon the decision of the bishops' conference of a given country.   However, the covering is not done throughout all of Lent. The crosses (crucifixes) are to be covered only from the Fifth Sunday of Lent until Good Friday and other images are to be covered only from the Fifth Sunday of Lent until the Easter Vigil.

 

The purpose of covering the crosses is to emphasize it being revealed on Good Friday. The purpose of covering other images is to take the focus off the images and focus the attention of the people on the central mysteries of our faith — the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

At this same time, vigil candles are removed.

 

 

 

Lent and the RCIA

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT - MARCH 8

 

This day marks the end of the RCIA period called the Catechumenate and the beginning of the period known as Purification. Two related rituals will take place on this same day. At a parish Mass, the catechumen and candidates will be addressed, prayed over and asked to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect. Sponsors and Team members will be involved in the rite. This is a formal statement of their intent to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

 

In the afternoon, the catechumen and candidates will gather at the

National Shrine along with persons from all over the Archdiocese. They will once again publicly declare their intentions to enter the Church. They will be received and prayed over by the Archbishop.

 

RITE OF DISMISSAL

 

At the 9:30 Mass on the Sundays of Lent, the catechumen and candidates will be dismissed after the Liturgy of the Word. They will spend the remainder of the Mass time reflecting on the readings with the help of the RCIA Team members.

 

SCRUTINIES

 

On the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, we will celebrate what are called the Scrutinies. These rituals focus on life, freedom and salvation. They include prayers and the imposition of hands. The readings for these weeks focus on water, light and new life. We will all be praying that whatever makes us weak and sinful will be rooted out of our lives as we move toward the great celebration of Easter.

 

RECEPTION INTO THE CHURCH

 

At the Easter Vigil the catechumen will be baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time. The candidates will profess their faith and be joined in full communion with the Church and then be confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time. 

 

Please pray for our catechumen and candidates:

 

Catechumen:

Dr. Caroline Gaynor (adult)

 

Candidates:

Chuck Emery (adult)

Brooke Smith (child)

Tammy Garrett (adult)

Dawson Garrett (child)