During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to practice self-control through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446). Learn more at USCCB.org.
Dear brothers and sisters – When our God reveals himself, his message is always one of freedom: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex 20:2). These are the first words of the Decalogue given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Those who heard them were quite familiar with the exodus of which God spoke: the experience of their bondage still weighed heavily upon them. In the desert, they received the “Ten Words” as a thoroughfare to freedom. We call them “commandments”, in order to emphasize the strength of the love by which God shapes his people. The call to freedom is a demanding one. It is not answered straightaway; it has to mature as part of a journey. Continue...
Read Pope Francis's Lenten Message
1. Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent.
2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one’s 59th birthday.)
3. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other smaller meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal one full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids including milk and juice are allowed. When health or the ability to work is seriously affected the law does not oblige.
Ash Wednesday, February 14
Masses with distribution of ashes at 12:00 pm and 6:30 pm at the PAC
24 Hours for the Lord, March 8-9
"Walking in a new life" (Romans 6,4)
Adoration at the Church begins after 5:30 pm Mass on March 8 to continue through till 4:30 pm Vigil Mass on March 9.
Penance Services
Religious Education, Monday, March 18 at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm
Parish Penance Service, Thursday, March 21 at 6:30-8:00 pm at the PAC
“The Lights are On” Adoration and Confession, Monday, April 3 at 6:30-8:00 pm
Palm Sunday, March 24
Saturday Vigil 4:30 pm – Blessing of Palm
8:30 am – Blessing of Palm
11:00 am – Blessing of Palm and Procession (Weather-permitting)
Monday, March 25
“The Lights are On” Adoration and Confession 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Church)
Holy Thursday, March 28
7:00 pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Church)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 10:00 pm
Good Friday, March 29
12:00 Noon – Stations of the Cross (Church)
7:00 pm – The Passion of the Lord (Church)
Holy Saturday, March 30
12:00 Noon – Blessing of Easter Baskets (Church)
3:30 pm – Confessions at the Church
Easter Vigil, March 30
8:30 pm – The Easter Vigil (Church)
Easter Sunday, March 31
AT THE CHURCH
7:00 am – Sunrise Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
8:30 am – Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
AT THE PARISH ACTIVITY CENTER (PAC)
8:30 am and 11:00 am (livestream) – Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
Easter Egg Hunt following 11:00 Mass sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
This year we will be hosting Wednesday night Lenten Soup Suppers and Lenten Talks for the Parish. The topic is Eucharistic Revival and our lessons will include "The Lamb's Supper", "Consuming the Word", and "The Real Presence”. Sign-ups available available at the Church and PAC to bring a soup, but not necessary to attend. Bring a friend!
February 21, February 28, March 6, March 13, and March 22 at 6:00pm at the PAC.
St. Joseph will have Stations of the Cross every Friday evening at 7:00 pm at the Church. On March 29th for Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross will be held at 12:00 pm.
If you are unable to join us in-person, the USCCB created a Stations of the Cross guide with a 20 minute audio version to listen to and other prayer guides to follow. You may also download a children's version of the Stations of the Cross.
Listen to USCCB Stations of the Cross Audio
Download the Children's Stations of the Cross
The Knights of Columbus Council 12772 Fish Fry is back for 2024! Please come to the PAC for a Lenten dinner and community on Friday evenings of February 16, February 23, March 1, March 8, March 15, and March 22 from 5:30pm till 8:00pm.
Learn More about the Lenten Fish Fry
Three tips to deepen your relationship with God during the 40 days of Lent.
Daily Inspiration for your Lenten Journey:
Download the USCCB Lenten Calendar (English and Spanish)
Lenten Alms Change Lives – Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all.
Pick up your family's rice bowl at the Church or PAC.
Learn More about Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowls
We all recognize that the season of Lent calls us to align our hearts with those of the Israelites who wandered for forty years in the desert. That's why I’ll be providing you with daily video reflections on the 40 chapters of the Book of Exodus – one for each day of Lent.
Together, we will walk with the Israelites as they journey through the desert, and I’ll give you a challenge each day to grow in your practice of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Each week, you’ll also have the chance to view never-before-seen talks presented by Dr. Scott Hahn on his new book Catholics in Exile: Biblical Wisdom for the Journey Home.
Sign Up for Daily Emails on Exodus & Exile to Journey Home
Great news - we are excited to announce that we are partnering with Hallow this Lent! Parishioners are invited to access all premium app content beginning now through Easter Sunday. We’ll have a specific Lenten prayer challenge starting Ash Wednesday, but you don’t have to wait. You can begin praying with Hallow today!
Hallow is the #1 prayer app in the world. Through prayer and meditation rooted in the Catholic faith, Hallow helps people grow closer to God and find peace. Users are able to pray alongside Fr. Mike, Immaculee, Mark Wahlberg, Jonathan Roumie, Bishop Barron, Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, and many more.
To join Hallow as part of our parish’s Lenten program, which gives you free access to all premium app content, follow these steps:
If you do not already have an account:
Scan the QR code or visit hallow.com/holyday.
Type in Plain City. Follow instructions to redeem offer/download app.
Log in w/ same email/password you used to create account (Do not click Google/Apple/phone).
If you do already have an account:
Scan the QR code or visit hallow.com/holyday.
Type in Plain City. Follow instructions to redeem offer.
Choose the last option: “Already have an account? Log in.”
Log in using your current email address and password.
And don’t forget to join the waitlist for Pray40, Hallow’s 40-day prayer challenge from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. We look forward to praying with you!
This Lent Formed.org has videos, audio recordings, studies, recommendations for kids, a 30-minute spiritual pilgrimage, and more! Available for free with our Formed subscription. Signup at Formed.org/signup with code RFTRYT.
Download Lent Suggested Formed.org Media
Talk about the three pillars of Lent and decide what you would like to do as a family. Fill out these Lenten Promise Cards and post them in your kitchen for everyone to see. Help each other by holding one another accountable and praying for one another. Lent is a particular time for us as individuals and as families to reflect on God's grace. When we do this, by His grace, we can be happy, holy families.
Join Brother Francis in this compact presentation of what Lent is all about and how we observe it as Catholics. Great for the whole family! Watch the short, 10 minute video. Available for free with our Formed subscription, code RFTRYT. You can also join Brother Francis in praying a special Stations of the Cross for children.
Watch 'Let's Learn about Lent' from Brother Francis
Set up a Lenten tree and hanging on the tree are 45 Bible verses, one for each day from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday. Each day you will take down the verse for that day and read it. Then you might pray the verse, read it in context, or just talk about it. As Easter approaches, the tree will grow more and more bare and will be empty on Holy Saturday as we remember our Lord in the tomb. Now keep this as a secret. Easter morning before the kids wake up, fill the tree with egg ornaments and maybe even flowers!
Download 45 Bible Verses for Your Lenten Tree
Courtesy of Courtney Defeo
A place to focus on almsgiving, fasting, and devotion Create a space for a simple table decoration in Lenten colors. Items that you can display on the table could include:
Courtesy of Elizabeth Clare
Don’t give something up ~ Take something on!
Courtesy of Karen Ehman