Lenten Activities and Holy Week Schedule

LENT 2008

In the United States, all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Abstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed on Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Fasting is also encouraged on Wednesday and Friday during Lent. Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

LENTEN ACTIVITIES AT OLMC

During the weekdays of Lent through the Wednesday of Holy Week we have an additional morning Mass at 6:30 AM.

Follow-Me discussion and faith sharing groups have formed for Lent. If you would like to be in one contact Sr. Lois at 973-334-0429.

On Tuesday evenings (weather permitting) from 7:30-9:00 during Lent Fr. Richard will lead adult faith formation sessions on Understanding the Eucharist with specific reflection on the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict, Sacramentum Caritatis.

Each Friday during Lent we will continue with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 6:30PM followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:00PM

After the 8AM Mass each Wednesday the children from our school will celebrate the Stations of the Cross and invite those parishioners who are able to join in their prayer.

On Sunday evenings during Lent Mass will be celebrated at 6PM for high school and college age parishioners in the convent chapel.

OPERATION RICE BOWL - Third Sunday of Lent - Option for the Poor
Jesus guides the Samarian woman to a greater appreciation of the Truth-Himself. At Mass today, the homilist gave you greater insight into Scripture's message. Education is key to our lives, regardless of our age. Pailash, a young Indian boy stricken with polio, didn't have access to education. He survived by selling newspapers and slept in fear of being robbed. Finally he found safety and opportunity in a Kolkata school for orphans supported by Catholic Relief Services. Today, he eats regular meals, enjoys studying math, and is preparing to learn a useful trade. A fundamental option for the poor is a central tenet of the Church's teachings and mission. CRS helps to expand educational opportunities worldwide, giving new hope to the poor. Your participation in Operation Rice Bowl will make the dreams of young people like Pailash achievable.

ALMSGIVING, FASTING AND PRAYER – all in one.

• On Friday, March 14th you are invited to gather with the community for a Lenten Soup Supper followed by Evening Prayer, Benediction and Stations of the Cross. In one evening we can each observe the three disciplines of Lent: almsgiving, fasting and prayer.
• Almsgiving – the free will offering for the soup supper will be given to a family in the parish whose infant child is ill and whose insurance does not fully cover the staggering and mounting medical bills.
• Fasting – it will be a simple meatless soup supper allowing us to observe the tradition of abstinence and limiting our food intake on Friday during Lent.
• Prayer – after the soup supper each person is invited to join in our Lenten practice of Evening Prayer, Benediction and Stations of the Cross in church at 6:30PM.

The soup supper will take place in the church hall at 5:30PM and is open to parishioners and non-parishioners of all ages. If you would like to cook soup for the supper please contact the parish office and let us know. To make sure we have adequate provisions those who are coming are asked to fill in the section below and return it to the parish office or call and let us know.

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Family Name: _____________________________________________________________________

# of adults: ________________________________________________________________________

# of children: _______________________________________________________________________