Lenten Regulations

For this penitential season, the Church draws on the wisdom of the Scriptures and our venerable tradition in suggesting a time of intense prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  On top of our individual sacrifices, we are also united together in communal sacrifices.  Catholics in the United States are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during the season of Lent.  Catholics are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended, as is abstinence from meat on all Fridays of the year.  If you choose not to abstain from meat on the non-Lenten Fridays, though, you are required to substitute another suitable penance in its place.  Ash Wednesday is February 17th.   Good Friday is April 2nd.

     Fasting. On a day of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal the other full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are permitted.

     Abstinence. On days of abstinence eating of meat is not allowed.

The obligation of fasting binds Catholics who are 18 - 59 years old. The obligation of abstinence applies to those 14 years and older. The law does not oblige when health or ability to work would be seriously affected.

 

 

Stations of the Cross will be every Friday during Lent from February 19 - March 26 at 7 PM.  This year, due to COVID concerns, we will not be able to share the Stations of the Cross booklets from week to week.  As a result, once you pick up your booklet, it is yours to keep.  I would suggest keeping it in your car or purse, so you have it with you when you come to church on those Fridays.

 

HIGHLIGHTS from the 2/18/21
Council Meeting

 

We are currently all still under a general dispensation and if at any time during Mass if anyone feels uncomfortable, we want to encourage you to quietly excuse yourself from the Liturgy and invite you to participate in a Mass via live stream.  Most of all, we want you to feel safe, loved, included and honored.

 

Two Sunday Masses During Lent:  We are pleased to report that we have been approved by the Archdiocese to temporarily offer two Sunday Masses during Lent.  Mass times will be 9 AM and 10:30 AM.  Mass Groups A & B will flip flop each week as to which Mass time that they are assigned to attend.  In order to make this work, we will need some volunteers following the 9 AM Mass to sanitize high touch areas in preparation for the 10:30 AM Mass. Gloves, sanitizing wipes and spray will be available to wipe down areas such as pews, light switches, and door handles.  Please contact Cathy Delzio if you are willing to sanitize:  cathyd@stthomascamas.org.   Also, Cathy will be sending out another revised schedule to volunteers to reflect the additional Masses.

Update on Live Streaming in Social Hall:  As most of you know, thanks to the efforts of Reece Townsend, we started offering a live stream of our Mass in the social hall.  Our internet service makes it challenging, so we are in the process of getting a new modem to improve our internet speed.  We hope to have it up and running soon.