Lent is a holy season in our Church’s year. It is holy because it calls us in a special way to holiness and encourages us to adopt holy habits of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We should try to attend Mass as often as we can during Lent, pray the Rosary and make the Stations of the Cross. We should try to make special sacrifices during Lent and practice acts of charity and almsgiving – and it is fortunate that the Cardinal’s Stewardship Appeal continues throughout Lent so that we have a very practical opportunity to assist the Church’s works of charity in New York.

During Lent the redder shade of purple is used if available, evoking the Blood of Jesus shed for us. A somber tone and penitential spirit is noted in sanctuary appointments with silver candlesticks (as used in Rome for penitential seasons) and wood processional torches and cross. The Pascal Candle (normally by the Baptismal Font) is put aside during Lent, brought out only for baptisms and funerals. Flowers are noticeably absent. Dried natural materials and bare and thorny branches remind us of passion themes.

We should try to practice some form of self-denial or self-discipline during Lent – so that we might in some small way identify ourselves with Christ who was crucified for us. All the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. All Catholics above the age of 14 are obliged to abstain from meat on the days of abstinence (unless poor health excuses).  Additionally, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of both fast and abstinence. Not only are meat and foods made with meat prohibited, but on these two fast days, only one full meal is permitted. Two smaller meals may be taken to maintain strength, but these taken together should not equal another full meal. Fasting obliges from age 18 to 59 (unless poor health excuses).

The penitential nature of Lent calls for specific seasonal music as well. As in Advent, we will introduce a special Gathering Rite to the tune of “Remember Your Love.” The Latin text of Sanctus and Agnus Dei in plain chant will be used at Mass.

Consider joining us:

Church is open for prayer
Monday – Friday from 6:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday from 7:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday from 6:00am to 3:00pm

Daily Mass
Monday – Friday at 7:00am and *9:00am
Friday at *7:00pm (followed by Stations)
Saturday at *9:00am

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Church
Monday – Friday from 12noon to 3:00pm (Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction)

Stations of the Cross
Friday at *7:30pm (after the *7:00pm Mass)

* Live streamed for the homebound at www.seton-parish.org

+LENTEN RECOLLECTIONS – Speaker& Film Series (Free)
Wednesdays, 7-9pm in the Chapel
3/16 - A Meditation on the Holy Face – Fr. Bobby Carolan
3/23 - The Sorrowful Heart of Mary & the Feminine Genius - Giovanna Piagua Romero
3/30 - The Liturgies of Holy Week through the Eyes of a Pilgrim - Fr. Smith
April 6 - Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ - Fr. Quarato

+FORGIVEN: THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF CONFESSION – Video and Discussion (optional $10 book fee)
Thursdays, 7-9pm in the Chapel
3/24 - Where Are You? & An Encounter With Mercy
3/31 - Embraced in Mercy: The Rite of Penance Explained & Biblical Foundations 
4/7 - Answering Common Questions about Confession

1) Pray much, 2) Attend Mass every day if possible, 3) Practice frequent confession (every month or two weeks), 4) Pray the Stations of the Cross, 5) Increase your devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament; the Sacred Passion of our Lord, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 6) Read the Bible every day for at least 15 min., 7) Read a good spiritual book, 8) Practice voluntary mortifications: e.g.: give up alcohol, tobacco, sweets, and unnecessary worldly entertainments, 9) Cultivate the habit of charity of thought, 10) Try to perform an extra act of kindness every day, 11) Develop your character, 12) Don’t grumble about Lent sacrifices.

BLESSING OF EASTER BASKETS
Holy Saturday, April 16th + 10:00 am - 11:00 am in the auditorium

EASTER EGG HUNT (Weather Permitting)
Holy Saturday, April 16th + 11:00 am - in the backyard of the church