At a Glance: Looking Ahead
First Sunday at Mandarin Community Club, January 31, 2021
Throat Blessings: Sunday, January 31, 2021
Marriage Sunday Blessing: February 14, 2021
Ash Wednesday Mass, followed by Soup and Bread, Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Litany and Procession: First Sunday of Lent, February 21, 2021
Throat Blessings
Immediately after Mass on January 31, you are invited to participate in the annual blessing of the throats, calling on the intercession of St. Blaise against diseases and ailments. It is a longstanding tradition to use blessed candles placed on each side of the neck in remembrance of St. Blaise, a fourth century Christian physician, who became known for miraculously clearing the throat of a choking boy. By the sixth century St. Blaise’s intercession was being invoked in the east for illnesses related to the throat. By the ninth century, the saint was revered in Europe and went on to become one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. Come and get your throat blessed this Sunday after Mass. If you are not able to join us on January 31, 2021, many of the local parishes will be blessing throats just a few days later on February 3, the Memorial of St. Blaise.
Marriage Blessings
In honor of National Marriage Sunday, on February 14, I will be inviting couples to stay after Mass to remember their marriage vows and to receive a priestly blessing upon those who have entered into the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. So, bring your spouse and stick around after Mass for this special blessing.
Dried Palms Needed for Ash Wednesday
In preparation for the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, please help us get ready by bringing your dried palms from last year's Palm Sunday liturgy. These will be burned and used to produce ashes for Ash Wednesday. Please bring your old palms with you over the next few weeks.
Ash Wednesday Mass to be Followed by Meal of Soup and Bread
On February 17, 2021, there will be a short spoken Mass beginning at 5:30 PM with traditional ashen crosses imposed on the foreheads of those present. Immediately following Mass you are invited to join us for a simple, but delicious meal of meatless soup and scrumptious bread, a beautiful way to end your Ash Wednesday fast with your brothers and sisters.
Lenten Fasting and Abstinence
Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence from meat, which is binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Two days, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. For members of the Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 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.
Great Litany Procession on the First Sunday of Lent
We will begin our celebration of the first Sunday of Lent, February 21, 2021, by processing outside of the church and chanting the Great Litany together, asking the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness as we begin moving through the Lenten season of repentance. Be sure to arrive early on this Sunday so you can join in the procession and participate in the beauty and solemnity of these historic prayers.
Faithfully Your Pastor,
Father Mayer