LENTEN SCHEDULE - 2016
(Post in a convenient place for reference during Lent)
ASH WEDNESDAY: February 10th
(Blessed Ashes will be distributed DURING each of the four scheduled Masses)
Masses at 8:00 AM (No Music), Noon, 5 and 7:00 PM
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
Sat. at 4:00 PM & Sun. at 7:30, 9:00 & 11:30 AM
WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE
We encourage you to participate at weekday mass during the Lenten Season.
Monday through Friday at 8 AM
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturdays from 3-3:30 PM and any time by appointment/request
“MONDAYS” DURING LENT: “THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU!”
Confessions heard from 6-7 PM, Feb. 15, 22, 29, March 7, 14 & 21.
Lenten Confessions for our Faith Formationstudents, Grades 3-8 completed.
Grade 2 confessions will be heard again in April prior to First Eucharist.
Regional Lenten Communal Penance Services
Good Shepherd Church, Drums – Thursday, March 10, 6:30 PM
Saint John Bosco Church, Conyngham – Tuesday, March 15, 7 PM
Holy Name of Jesus, West Hazleton, Wednesday, March 16, 7 PM
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND ANY OF THESE PENANCE SERVICES. THEY WILL CONSIST OF A BRIEF SERVICE OF THE WORD, EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION.
The following priests are scheduled to be at Saint John Bosco Church:
Fr. Richard C. Hockman, C.S.C., Fr. StevenJ. Brosk, Fr. RicPolmounter, Fr. Connell A. McHugh, Fr. Peter J. O’Rourke, Msgr. Arthur J. Kaschenbach, Fr. Brian J. W. Clarke
CONYNGHAM ECUMENICAL LENTEN PRAYER LUCHEON SERIES
Where: Conyngham United Methodist Church, 411 Main St., Conyngham
“Nourish Your Body & Soul”
Fellowship Lunch followed by Hymn, Guest Speaker, Hymn and Blessing.
Wednesdays of Lent at Noon.
February 17 & 24 and March 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2016
Donation: $3.00 MENU: Soup, Bread, Beverage and Dessert
STATIONS OF THE CROSS & BENEDICTION:
Every Friday of Lent at 7 PM. A different version of the Stations of the Cross will be prayed each week. Booklets will be available for your use each week.
Fr. Ric and Deacon Maurice will lead the evening Stations of the Cross & Benediction.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
Every Friday of Lent at 8:30 AM. Booklets will be available for your use.
Sister Marilyn Karas, R.S.M. will lead morning Stations of the Cross.
LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Friday, March 18th, 7 PM
(FAMILIES URGED TO ATTEND – MARK YOUR CALENDAR)
Presented by St. John Bosco Parish Youth for the Community.
PARISH ADULT RELIGIOUS FORMATION & STUDY
Looking for something spiritually rewarding to do during the Lenten season
and beyond? Just a few suggestions ….
- Take a Lenten Booklet from the entrances of our churches.
Each family is invited to take a Lenten Booklet: “SAYING YES TO SOUL TIME” which was written by Fr. Joseph Sica. It contains a daily reflection, prayer and practice for every day of Lent. I know that you will find it to be a very practical and enjoyable Lenten activity that will help you in your spiritual journey.
- Participate in the ARISE: TOGETHER IN CHRIST PROGRAM
Join a small Faith sharing community that meets once a week, for 90 minutes, for the 6 weeks of Lent. There are 10 groups that meet at our parish at various days and times during the week. A book is provided that guides the group in their journey with the Lenten theme of Season 2: “CHANGE OUR HEARTS.”
REGULATIONS FOR FAST & ABSTINENCE 2016
ASH WEDNESDAY (February 10) & GOOD FRIDAY (March 25)
DAYS OF FASTAND ABSTINENCE
DAYS OF ABSTINENCE: ALLFRIDAYS IN LENT
ABSTINENCE: Age of 14 and older. NO MEAT may be eaten.
FAST: 18 to 60 years old. Only ONEFULLMEAL, two partial.
EASTER DUTY
All Catholics in good standing must receive Holy Communion at least once a year,
especially during the Easter Season, February 13-14 & May 14-15, 2016
Those in serious (Mortal) sin are also required to receive confession.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
This National Lenten program of FASTING, PRAYER & ALMSGIVING will be held in our parish this year. Once a week, usually on a Wednesday or Friday, serve a simple low-cost meal to your family and pray for the poor and hungry. The money saved from eating this simple meal is deposited in the second collection on Palm Sunday weekend, March 19-20, 2016.
Donations will assist our Parish St. Vincent DePaul Society & our diocese’s and nation’s needy.
LENTEN SELF-DENIAL APPEAL: Use daily during Lent!
During the Season of Lent, you are asked to use a plain envelope and mark on it your name and the words: Lenten Self-Denial. Place it in a prominent place in your home (family table) and place offerings (alms) of change or bills in it each day representing sacrifices that you make during the Season of Lent. (Giving up candy, beverage, movie, snack, meal, etc.). Your change, bill or check represents your sacrifices. Count up the sacrifices and make out a check or place a bill for that amount in the envelope and deposit it in any collection basket on Palm Sunday Weekend, Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Easter. They may also be taken or mailed to the Parish Office. Use your own plain envelope and mark it: LENTEN SELF-DENIAL.
A gift of $10.00, $15.00, $20.00 or $25.00 would be appreciated.
Almsgiving is a hallmark of Lent. This represents about 25 to 50 cents each day of Lent.
HOLY WEEK OBSERVANCE: March 19-27, 2016
PASSION-PALM SUNDAY
Blessing & Distribution of Palm during all regular weekend Masses, March 19-20, 2016.
Small palm crosses will also be distributed to every person at weekend Masses.
HOLY THURSDAY- March 24th – 7 PM
Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper & Solemn Procession.
Presentation of the Sacred Oils, Blessed Bread Distributed to every person at the Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper to share with family and friends at home.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel Gym until 10 PM
Washing of the Feet of twelve parishioners: First Holy Communion students, Confirmation Students and Male & Female Adults.
Rosary & Night Prayer at 9:30 PM with Knights of Columbus and Deacon Maurice.
GOOD FRIDAY – March 25th – 1 PM
Morning Prayer – 9 AM
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 1 PM (Passion, Veneration of Cross & Communion)
The final opportunity for Confession before Easter will follow from 2-2:30 PM.
No scheduled Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
HOLY SATURDAY –March 26th – 8 PM
NO CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD TODAY!
Morning Prayer – 9 AM
Blessing of Family Easter Food Baskets in the Gym - 1 – PM
(A handout will be distributed as an insert in the parish bulletin on the weekend of March 12-13 that explains what goes into a traditional Easter Food Basket and its symbolism.)
SOLEMN EASTER VIGIL – Saturday, March 26th – 8 PM
(NO EARLIER VIGIL MASS)
Blessing of the new fire, Lighting of the new Paschal Candle and individual candles, blessing of the water and Renewal of Baptismal Promises.
You are invited to bring a small container for new holy water for use in your home.
EASTER SUNDAY: March 27th ~ Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Masses will be celebrated at 7:30, 9 & 11:30 AM
FROM THE PASTOR’S LAPTOP: February 6-7, 2016
Dear Parishioners and Friends:
I’m actually writing this letter on February 3, a full week before Ash Wednesday. And it’s intended for you to read this weekend, a few days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Christmas doesn’t sneak up on any of us. Even long before Advent begins, the world around us is reminding us by decorations, music, Ads, etc., to get ready for December 25th. And while there may be Cadbury Eggs in the aisles of grocery stores and the feverish activity of preparing snacks, chicken wings, pizza and sliders for the big game this Sunday and looking forward to receiving some of the awesome Victoria Candies on St. Valentine Day next Sunday; the papers aren’t filled with ads for Lenten Sales. Except perhaps for Lenten Fish Dinners. Ash Wednesday, especially when it comes so early during the winter, can take us by surprise and I’m hoping this letter will give you the heads-up we all need to ready ourselves to begin the season that’s meant to get us ready to celebrate Easter with pure joy.
First, then, I want to encourage you to participate at Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 10. Ash Wednesday is a Holy Day and significant beginning to this 40 day season of conversion, spiritual growth and renewal. It helps us to get off to a good start. Attached to this letter is our schedule for Ash Wednesday with the distribution of blessed ashes as well as the many spiritual, educational and outreach programs that are being offered in our parish and community during the next six weeks. In addition to your own spiritual reading, Scripture reflection and devotions, I invite you to participate in these spiritual exercises and opportunities.
Lent is a season of “spring training” or “boot camp” for Christians: a time for us to do some spiritual exercises, with God’s Grace, to get our spirit in shape in our faith life and ready to celebrate Easter with renewed vigor, with minds and hearts refreshed and renewed.
As you know, the “training program” for Lent has three traditional parts: prayer, fasting and almsgiving (works of mercy, especially for the poor). It is a terrific opportunity to enter even more deeply into the “Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy” proclaimed by Pope Francis. Consider the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Anyone who’s wondering, “What will I do during Lent 2016? “would do well to prayerfully reflect and seek to answer that question in three ways:
- How will I strengthen my prayer life this Lent?
- How will I experience renewed faith in my body as well as my soul over these 40 days?
- How will I reach out to assist those who are in need – the least of my brothers & sisters?
The Attached Lenten Program provides opportunities to answer these questions for your “spring training” this year. Post it in your home, perhaps on the refrigerator. Prayerfully consider them and ask God to help you decide what is best for you to pursue with God’s Grace. Above all, don’t allow Lent 2016 to pass you by.
On behalf of Deacon Maurice, our visiting weekend priests, Sister Marilyn and myself, I wish you a holy and blessed “Lenten spring training” and pray that it might be a grace-filled opportunity to deepen your relationship with the living God.
Peace and Blessings,
Father Ric Polmounter
Pastor