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?

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Lenten Soup & Substance
with Fr. Andy Nelson
THURSDAYS, MARCH 11 & 25 - ATRIUM
6:00 PM SOUP ~ 6:30 PM SUBSTANCE
The Future Church - How Ten Trends Are Revolutionizing The Catholic Church

What will the Catholic Church be like in a hundred years? Well connected and prominent Catholic journalist John Allen dares to identify 10 'mega-trends' that he surmises will be heavily influencing our future. He then invites us to rethink many of our divisive issues, assumptions and policies, accordingly.

The final chapter - "Catholicism in the Twenty-First Century" will serve as our introduction on March 11. The author states that this chapter "is designed as a stand-alone summary of the main ideas of this book, offering a big picture of what the upside-down Church of the future will be like." Fr. Andy will led us through these important trends. Please join us.

Reservations by March 9 to Pat Wisialowski, 414-276-9814, patwisialowski@stjohncathedral.org. Free will offering taken.

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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; Lenten Vespers are celebrated on each Sunday evening during Lent at 5:15 p.m. (except Sunday, March 14); and the Rosary is prayed each Thursday evening during Lent following the 5:15 p.m. Mass in the Day Chapel.

 

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, March 28 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.

 

Communal Reconciliation Service

 

The Riverbank Catholic Community Communal Reconciliation Service is Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. This service will take place at Three Holy Women Parish - St. Hedwig Site (Humboldt & Brady Streets).

 

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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

Readings & Meditations for Lent

Daily Reflections from Creighton University

Sacred Space from Dublin, Ireland

Daily Reflections from the Cathedral (coming soon!)

 

Lenten Regulations

The 2010 Lenten season begins February 17, 2010 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.

 

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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. We at the Cathedral have adopted the St. Vincent de Paul Society as the beneficiary of our Lenten tithes.

 

As was noted in last week’s bulletin, their focus during this season of Lent is “Four H’s and a T” and invites participation in providing financial support for Housing, Healthcare, Heat and utilities, Hunger and Transportation for our clients in need. The sharing of your gifts through almsgiving can help feed the hungry, provide shelter for those in need, care for those who are ill, keep your neighbors warm and connected, and aid in transportation to important appointments.

 

Today you will find a pre-printed giving envelope enclosed in this bulletin for your use beginning Ash Wednesday. Fill it up however you wish – give up something during Lent, or just give an extra gift. For the Cathedral parish the formal collection will be at the Holy Thursday Mass. However, you can return your alms at any time – through the collection basket at Mass or the mail.

 

During fiscal year 2009 our joint St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference disbursed $65,684 for 4,249 requests from individuals and families for the services covered in “Four H’s and a T”. Your past financial gifts made that possible. Thank you!

 

You may make a direct donation by following this link:

 

Riverbank Food Pantry

 

In keeping with our commitment to our poor and needy neighbors we will be collecting laundry detergent, dish soap and household cleaners 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. Thank you for your generosity!