LENT

Ash Wednesday - February 17, 2021 | April 1-3, 2021 - Holy Triduum | April 4, 2021 - Easter Sunday

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

Many of you know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but did you know we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season?  In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. 

LENTEN PRAYER & ALMSGIVING:

•          Stations of the Cross with Benediction – Fridays at 7:30pm in the Church.  You  do not need to register to participate in person.  If you would like to follow along, please print the booklet and bring it with you.  Link to download or print here.
•          Daily Mass –  Monday through Thursday at 9:00 a.m.  You do not need to register in advance to attend in person.  Daily Mass is live-streamed and available to watch online at your convenience.
•          Lenten Reconciliation – Every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Mondays & Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 & 22).   Confessions take place in the Rev. Edward Connelly Parish Center Conference Room.  If it’s been a while since you’ve been, don’t worry, just let the priest know and he will guide you through it. 
•          E-zine – For Lent this year we have prepared a small electronic magazine, or zine for short, that you can view on our website under our Seasonal Events page (under the “About Us” tab). The zine will be up on the first day of Lent! We hope you will enjoy our effort with the whole family!! Click here to view.
•          Wednesday Webinars with Fr. Vince Cushing – Father Vince Cushing will be hosting weekly webinars during Lent. Our conversation with him will happen on Wednesday Afternoons from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Beginning Wednesday, February, 24, 2021. All webinars will occur via Zoom. A computer or tablet is necessary. If you would like to register for this webinar, please email Sister Maureen at Maureen.Roe@seaseton.org with your name and Email Address before Sunday, February 22nd.
  •  First Topic: “The Pandemic and Lent”
•          Women’s Book Club –  will be held virtually (via Zoom) every Monday Evening from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. beginning February 22nd. We are using the book, “Abide” by Sister Macrina Wiederker, OSB. The cost of the book is $15.00.  Please call the parish office to sign up or email Sister Maureen for details:  Maureen.roe@seaseton.org.
•          Giving – In addition to offertory giving, there are many ways to give, including:   
  • Poor Box:  You can give online via GiveCentral, put donations in the boxes near the Church entrance, or send a check in the mail.  Poor Boxes during Lent will support:  Crofton Christian Caring Council (Feb. 21 & Mar. 21); St. Gregory’s Parish in Baltimore (Feb. 28); My Sister’s Place (Mar. 7); Haiti Outreach (Mar. 14); Marian House (Mar. 28)
  • Food Pantry:   The Food Pantry accepts monetary gifts and donations of food.   You can make financial donations through GiveCentral or by sending a check to the parish office (indicate that it’s for the Food Pantry).  They also accept the following non-expired food items:  Canned fruits and vegetables; Cereal or oatmeal; Spaghetti sauce and pasta; Macaroni and cheese; Soup; Canned chili, beef, stew, ravioli, spaghettios; Tuna or canned chicken; Box/bag of rice, noodle or potato side dishes.

LENTEN FASTING & ABSTINENCE

Fasting:  Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (Ages 18-59) - When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

Abstinence (from meat):  Every Friday during Lent (Ages 14+)

Am I excused from fasting and abstinence?  Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.