Lent - Preparation for the Paschal Mystery
February 9, 2021
May our time in the desert bring us closer to the image of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As you know, the season of Lent begins tomorrow. The 2021 Lenten Regulations for the Diocese of Santa Rosa is shown below. Please take a look at it to refresh your memory (remember, tomorrow is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat.)
As of Ash Wednesday, we will resume our 6:45 a.m. Mass. If, however, we are once again barred from indoor worship, this Mass will be stopped (and offered privately).
Also, on Ash Wednesday, please note that in this time of Covid, we will not be putting ashes on your forehead. They will be sprinkled on the top of your head, thereby not making any physical contact.
2021 Lenten Regulations for the Diocese of Santa Rosa
“The Lenten Season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the Rite of Election and Scrutinies, and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the Word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises. (From: The Order of Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours and the Celebration of the Eucharist)
The current discipline is as follows:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence, that is, limited to a single, full meal and abstinence from meat.
• The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
• The law of fasting permits only one full meal a day, but it does allow the taking of some food in the morning and a second light meal at noon or in the evening, as you prefer. Persons who have completed their eighteenth year to the beginning of their sixtieth (60) year are obligated to fast.
• The law of abstinence from meat applies to all persons who have completed their fourteenth year of age. However, it is highly recommended that children from ages seven to fourteen years also follow the law of abstinence.
• All Catholics are encouraged to receive Holy Eucharist frequently during Lent and to receive the Sacrament of Penance so that all may be prepared to celebrate more fully the paschal mystery. Those who have received their first Holy Communion are to receive Holy Communion during the Easter season.
• The determination of these days of obligatory penance, as listed above, should not be understood as limiting the occasions for Christian penance. This penance is to help us see and shorten the distance between our present lives and the life God wants for each of us. “Penance should not be only internal and individual but external and social.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #110)
• Marriages may be celebrated with Mass and the nuptial blessing should always be given. It is, however, contrary to the spirit of penance during Lent to plan an elaborate wedding with lavish decorations.
Confirmation at the Easter Vigil: (1) Canon Law grants to pastors and parochial vicars the faculty to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation, within their proper parish, to any adult or child over the age of seven years on the occasion of his/her baptism or received into full communion with the Church. (2) Additionally, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the bishop has temporarily granted the faculty to confirm to the pastors and vicars of the Diocese. They can confirm members of their parishes. This applies to adults and to children.
Announcements
Ash Wednesday: Lent begins tomorrow. To minimize any potential spread of coronavirus, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a statement directing priests to sprinkle ashes on the heads of people on Ash Wednesday, rather than making a cross on the forehead of each person. Sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads, rather than marking foreheads with ashes, is the customary practice at the Vatican and in Italy. Given the spread of the coronavirus, the practice has the advantage of not requiring the priest to touch multiple people. Also, a traditional biblical practice was for people, as an expression of sorrow and penance for sin, to throw ashes over their own heads and don sackcloth.
Fr. Wolfgang Seitz will return to the Cathedral tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 16, to perform the Consecration to our Holy Guardian Angels. He will offer the 5:30 pm Latin Mass and then perform the Consecration ceremony at 6:30 p.m. This ceremony will take about 30 - 40 minutes. Immediately following the Consecration, at 7:30 pm, our 40 Days for Life Kick-Off (no pot-luck) will take place outside where we have Mass. Please join us for prayers and updates!
Lenten Fish Fry: The Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Lenten Fish Fry at the Becker Center for “Drive Through” service on Feb. 19, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. It will be Take-Out Only. For $16.00 enjoy fish, french fries, coleslaw & ice cream! Tickets are available in the Parish Office, M-F, 9-4 and at the Bookstore/Gift Shop. Meals will also be available for purchase on site while supply lasts.
Indoor Confessions: We have resumed having Confessions heard in the confessionals in the Cathedral. The normal Confession schedule is 3-4:30 pm every Saturday. Confessions will also be heard, once again, during most Masses. Confessionals contain a sanitizing ultra-violet light that is activated after each person leaves, so please remember to alternate use of each confessional.
Parish Finances in the Age of Covid
As you all know, these are hard times for all parishes in terms of finances. Even though we are “shut down,” the bills keep coming in and salaries have to be paid. For those of you who have been giving a little extra each week/month, I really appreciate your generosity. For those of you who are unable to come to Mass, please consider giving on-line or the good old-fashioned way, by mail. Thank you and God bless you. Learn more »
Fiscal Year to Date:
Income: $436,277
In the black: $47,715
Thank you for your generosity!!
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