The Season of Lent
An Overview of the Season

Many of our neighbors, maybe some members of our own households, cannot get excited about the special seasons of the Church. Many try to avoid them with a fervent passion. But, there are others that use the seasons as a springboard to draw closer to God. Looking at the definition of “Lent” we see that it means: springtime. A time of renewal!

In scripture we are constantly being called to reform our lives and to live the “kingdom of God.” We hear the call in the words of John the Baptist, in the themes struck by Jesus, in the interaction of other frail communicants and their demands on us. We are repentant all year ― in the moments surrounding awareness of our sins, in struggles for a healthier world. Indeed, we generally are conscious of these aspects of life day in and day out. Or, are we really aware of these aspects?

Read More

Opportunities for Prayer during Lent

Devotions & Liturgy of the Hours

Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays in the Cathedral following the 5:15 p.m. Mass; Morning Prayer is prayed in community Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. in the Day Chapel; Evening Prayer is celebrated each evening at 5:00 p.m. in the Day Chapel; and Lenten Vespers are celebrated on each Sunday evening during Lent at 5:15 p.m. (except Sunday, March 13).

 

If you would like to pray Stations of the Cross at your desktop follow this link: STATIONS

 

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Masses for Palm Sunday, April  17 are celebrated at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, 7:45, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. Please note this change in Mass times for this Sunday only.

 

Holy Week

Chrism Mass - Tuesday, April 19, 7:30 PM
Holy Thursday

    Morning Prayer, 7:30 AM; Mass of the Lord's Supper, 7:00 PM.

Good Friday

    Morning Prayer, 7:30 AM; Good Friday Service, 12:15 PM; Tenebrae, 5:15 PM.

Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil

    Morning Prayer with Pre-Baptismal Anointing, 7:30 AM; Easter Vigil, 8:30 PM.

Easter Sunday

    Masses at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM.

 

Communal Reconciliation Service

 

The Riverbank Catholic Community Communal Reconciliation Service has been scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, 2490 N. Cramer St.

 

Opportunity for individual confession is available in the Day Chapel on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.

 

---

 

Links of Interest

 

From americancatholic.org:

Lenten Customs

The Way of the Cross on Your Block

Saint of the Day

 

The Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI's Message for Lent 2010

 

Reflections & Readings

Daily Reflections from Creighton University

Sacred Space from Dublin, Ireland

Daily Reflections from the Cathedral (coming soon!)

 

LENTEN CALENDAR (.PDF)

 

Lenten Regulations

The 2011 Lenten season begins March 9, 2011 with the observance of Ash Wednesday. Regulations pertaining to fast and abstinence are printed below:

 

The Catholic Church asks each member to preserve the penitential character and purpose of Lent. For this reason:

 

1. Catholics who celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday of Lent;

2. Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Hence, on those days they should eat only one full meal. Smaller quantities of food may be taken at two other meals, but no food should be consumed at other times during those two days. The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one’s 59th birthday.

 

Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.

 

---

 

Almsgiving

 

This traditional Catholic discipline during Lent shares our financial resources with the poor. The collection taken during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday traditionally goes to the poor, as well. The designation of this collection is to be announced.

 

Riverbank Food Pantry

 

In keeping with our commitment to our poor and needy neighbors we will be collecting items for the Riverbank Food Pantry, located at Our Lady of Divine Providence at St. Casimir Church. Items may be placed in the baskets in the niche next to the Ambry inside the Cathedral. Check the bulletin for more information. Thank you for your generosity!