Lent and Easter 2008
Pastor’s Message

Dear Friends:

The Season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 6th. This annual 40 day observance prepares us—through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—for the joy of Easter, the most important feast of the Christian year.

Please take some time to read the information provided here and consider journeying with us through the discipline of Lent to the joy of Easter.

May God bless you and your families during this Holy Season.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father David Wynen
Pastor

Fasting and Abstaining for Catholics
Lent, particularly Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, the Fridays of Lent are days of fasting from food and abstaining from meat for Catholics.

Fasting binds those from 18 years to 59 years - in good health - and can mean simplify one’s food intake on those days. The physical hunger of fasting focuses our spiritual hunger for God. It can also be a sign of our solidarity with those who have no food.

Abstaining from meat is a traditional practice and binds Catholics 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and the Fridays of Lent are days of abstaining from meat.

Lent is a time for us to practice forms of penance - prayer, works of piety and charity, self-denial - these are all privileged ways for us to journey through Lent to the joy of Easter morning. These Lenten observances can also enrich our lives - spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Special points of interest:
• Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days
• Our Parish’s Lenten Retreat begins on February 13 and meets on Wednesday, February 20th, and March 5th & 12th
• Tuesday, March 18th will be a day of Penance and Reconciliation with Confessions heard from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday in Lent at 7:00 p.m.
• Taize Prayer at the Cross will take place on Friday, February 22nd at 7 p.m. and on Good Friday at 7:00 p.m.

Lenten Liturgical Schedule
Sunday Mass
Saturday (Vigil) at 5 p.m. (fulfills the Sunday obligation)
Sunday: 8:30 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 12:00 Noon

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is our celebration of God’s mercy and forgiveness in our lives. It doesn’t matter how long it has been since last celebrating this Sacrament—come home and join in the Father’s love.
Saturdays 4:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m.
Day of Penance and Reconciliation
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
Priests available all day from 8:30 a.m.—8:30 p.m.
This will be the last scheduled time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before Easter.
ShareLent
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace annual ShareLent collection will be taken on Sunday, March 9th at all Masses. CCODP uses the proceeds of this national collection for the support of its partner programs around the developing world. Your kind support of ShareLent is greatly appreciated. All donations should be made payable to “Holy Cross Parish”.
 
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER 2008

Passion (Palm) Sunday, March 16, 2008
This day commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Today we bless palm branches as a reminder of our joy. We also listen to the story of the passion and death of Jesus who loved us even to the Cross.

Masses: Saturday (Vigil) 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 12:00 Noon

Mass of Chrism (Cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton) – Monday, March 17 - 7:30 p.m.
This annual Mass celebrated by our Bishop and the priests of Hamilton Diocese celebrates the blessing and consecration of the Oils to be used in the Sacramental life of the Catholic church in our Diocese. The Bishop blesses the Oils of the Sick and Catechumens; and consecrates the Oil of Chrism. He and the priests gathered with him renew their commitment to their priestly ministry.

Day of Penance & Reconciliation - Tuesday, March 18 - Confessions 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Holy Thursday, March 20th, 2008 - MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER at 8:00 p.m.
Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood are recalled at this Mass which marks the beginning of the Sacred Triduum the most solemn days of our Catholic year.

Good Friday, March 21st, 2008
Today we remember the passion and death of Jesus. We hear the Passion according to the Gospel of John and we venerate the wood of the Cross.

11:00 a.m. Children’s Celebration of the Passion and Death of Our Lord
3:00 p.m. Solemn Celebration of the Passion and Death of Our Lord
7:00 p.m. Prayer at the Cross (Taize style music and prayer)

Holy Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
Our “paschal fast” continues today as we wait expectantly for the resurrection of the Lord.

12:00 Noon Blessing of Easter Foods (Church basement hall)
7:00 p.m. SOLEMN EASTER VIGIL
This is the most important liturgy of the entire Church year. During the Easter Vigil we recall the mighty deeds of God who has called his people from the slavery of sin to joy of new life in Christ Jesus. Tonight we welcome new adult members of the Catholic Church through Confirmation and first reception of the Eucharist. The Easter Vigil fulfills your obligation and is approximately 90 minutes long.

EASTER SUNDAY, March 23rd, 2008
All our Lenten discipline reaches its climax today with the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Today we proclaim that Christ is truly risen from the grave – so that we might have life!

Masses at Holy Cross Church: 8:30 a.m.; 10:00 a.m.; 12:00 Noon
(Simultaneous celebration of Mass in the Church Hall at 10 a.m. & 12 Noon for overflow)

Parking - please observe the “Fire Route” around the church. You may park at Holy Cross School and in some spots in the lower parking lot.
Have a blessed Easter! Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
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