Lent 2011

Dear Parishioners,

The season of Lent will begin this year on Wednesday, March 9th. The schedule for Lent and Holy Week can be found in the parish bulletin, the parish website, and in the Warwick Beacon. Please check out our new expanded web site. This web site features the parish bulletin along with a variety of other links.

Confessions will also be heard during the weekly Holy Hour and following the Stations of the Cross. Bible study will take place on Monday evenings beginning on February 28th.

A sign up list for Holy Thursday will be placed at the main entrance of the church. I ask that you sign up to cover various times for prayer following the evening Mass. This special time of prayer at the repository will run from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

The following fasting and abstinence regulations are observed during Lent: Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent by Catholics 14 years and older. Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

From its earliest days, the Church has urged the baptized and catechumens to observe the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer as a preparation for the celebration of Easter. Ashes are only imposed on children who have received their first penance. A special collection for the poor will be taken up at all the Masses on Ash Wednesday.

Let us pray that many Catholics will come home during Lent and Easter and receive the Sacraments. Please be assured of my prayers during this special season of grace and renewal.

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Roger C. Gagne
Pastor