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On Tuesday, we held our Lenten Taizé Prayer at St. Ita church. Taizé is an ecumenical Christian movement known for its distinctive style of music and prayer which emphasizes silence, contemplation, and stillness. We came together during this solemn season to meditate on the Lord's journey to the Cross and to continue to prepare ourselves for Holy Week. *Photos courtesy of parish volunteer Luana Lienhart El martes celebramos nuestra Oración Cuaresmal de Taizé en la iglesia de Santa Ita. Taizé es un movimiento cristiano ecuménico conocido por su estilo distintivo de música y oración, que enfatiza el silencio, la contemplación y la quietud. Nos reunimos durante este tiempo solemne para meditar sobre el camino del Señor hacia la Cruz y continuar preparándonos para la Semana Santa.
Congratulations to our parish’s catechumens and candidates who celebrated the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election on Sunday, March 9 at Holy Name Cathedral. We are excited for you to take the next steps along your faith journey as you make your spiritual home in the Catholic Church. Our parish looks forward to welcoming you into the Church at the Easter Vigil!  What is the Rite of Send & the Rite of Election? They are an important two-part celebration in the journey of adult converts joining the Catholic Church. At our parish, this process of faith education and evangelization is called Becoming Catholic — you might know it as OCIA or RCIA. The word “election” has nothing to do with politics. Rather, we are publicly acknowledging that God has chosen a person to be disciple of Jesus. How is it celebrated? There is a sending and a receiving. First, catechumens – those preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation – are sent by their parishes. Second, the bishop receives the catechumens and invites them to enter their names in the Book of the Elect. When is it celebrated? They take place on the First Sunday of Lent. The Rite of Sending is done at the parish church after which everyone goes to the local cathedral for the Rite of Election. Who participates? Participants are unbaptized adults known as catechumens, Greek for “being instructed” or candidates, adults who have been baptized but not confirmed. Upon the testimony of their sponsors and catechists (teachers), the catechumens affirm their intention to join the Church and the Church approves them to receive the Sacraments. What happens next? When the catechumens inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect, the bishop declares them “the elect” (the chosen ones). They now begin a period of Purification and Enlightenment which ends with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Afterwards, the newly baptized and confirmed enter more fully into the life and unity of the Church.
Liturgical seasons of the Church calendar each have their own characteristics, and Lent is a season which stands out in some unique ways. Let’s explore some of the things you might notice at Mass and in the churches of our parish over the next 40 days. These practices can help us draw closer to the sacred mysteries as we turn away from sin and prepare for the great celebration of Easter!
🟣 Purple: The church decorations and vestments of the clergy change to violet. Violet, or purple, was originally associated with royalty. Pontius Pilate had a purple robe placed on Jesus during the Passion to mock him as “King of the Jews.” Thus, purple symbolizes suffering, mourning, and penitence. 🎶 No singing or saying the Gloria: Lent is a time of sacrifice and purification, so celebrator songs of “high praise” like the Glory to God are omitted. Except on the Solemnities of St. Joseph and the Annunciation. 🎼 No singing or saying the Alleluia: During most of the year, Catholics sing or say the Alleluia before the reading of the Gospel. However, this is not permitted in Lent. It is another fast that we observe during the season. 🌺No flowers on the altar: During Lent, it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers except on Solemnities and Feasts. ✝️ Veiling crosses and statues (optional): Beginning on Fifth Sunday of Lent, this custom helps us concentrate on Christ’s work of redemption during these last days of the season. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
Thank you to Saints Peter and Lambert Parish for donating food to our Food Pantry. Volunteers helped with the donation pickup last Friday amidst the snowfall, and we are grateful for their support. The important work of the Food Pantry would not be possible without collaboration from our larger Catholic community. On behalf of Mary, Mother of God Parish and those we serve, thank you to the parishioners of SS. Peter & Lambert!
See what items are on our food pantry wishlist by clicking the button below.
 The word Lent means “spring,” or “a new birth.” This 40-day season of preparation prior to the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter helps us to renew our life in Jesus and his Church. To get ourselves ready, here is an overview of the three pillars of Lent and the ways Catholics seek God during this time.
PRAYER Prayer is the cornerstone of our Lenten journey and is vital to all our actions in life. It is conversation with God. In prayer, we deepen our relationship with God which also gives us the strength to fast and conviction to give alms which are the other major components of Lent. During this season, consider reading daily reflections from the Little Black Books available at the back of our churches and participating in the weekly Stations of the Cross. FASTING Fasting reminds us of our hunger for God. Catholics should fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means only eating one full meal and two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. Snacking should be avoided. We are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways. Consider fasting from social media, technology, gossip, and excessive screen time. ALMSGIVING The call to almsgiving or charitable giving means making the needs of other people our own. One of the central lessons of the cross is compassion, and sharing our material goods is just the beginning of real Christian giving. We are also called to share our time tending to people in need or our talents serving our community. It is a way to live out our gratitude for all that God has given us. Consider grabbing a Rice Bowl collection box in the back of our churches and volunteering for one of our parish ministries. OTHER RESOURCES The parish is here to support you during this time of reflection and repentance. Consider registering for our Lenten Retreat or attending one of the different prayer services and devotions being offered. Check the parish Events page for more information. Photos courtesy of parish volunteers Luana Lienhart, Kitty Welter, and Stephanie Held. If you have photos from parish events or devotions, please email them to the parish office. 📸 St. Thomas of Canterbury (8 AM)St. Gregory the Great (12 PM)Edgewater Beach Apartments (3 PM)St.Ita (5:30 PM)Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent because it falls 40 days (minus Sundays) before Easter. The Bible recounts 40 days of rain during the flood, Israel’s 40-year journey through the desert, Jesus’ 40-day fast in the desert, and the 40 days the Resurrected Christ spent with his disciples before his Ascension into heaven. At the end of each of these periods, the things involved are changed: A sinful world is cleansed, slaves become free, a carpenter begins a messianic ministry, and fearful followers become Spirit-filled preachers. The Lenten season offers the Church the same opportunity for transformation. Mary, Mother of God Parish is offering multiple Ash Wednesday Masses throughout the day so you and your family can receive ashes:
Mardi Gras: a moment of communal joy before a season of communal fasting  What is Mardi Gras? Celebrations of Mardi Gras have gained attention in popular culture, but they seriously misrepresent the Catholic intent of the holiday. Mardi Gras – aka Fat Tuesday – is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.
When you think of Mardi Gras, festivals and food come to mind. This is because Catholics are preparing for the self-sacrifice and repentance of the Lenten season. In Catholic countries, Mardi Gras offered an opportunity for households to use up the foods they would not enjoy again until Easter. (Like butter, eggs, lard, meat, milk, sugar, etc.) These would be turned into rich treats to share together. Mardi Gras was thus a moment of communal joy before a season of communal fasting. Certain cities around the world like Venice, Rio de Janeiro, and New Orleans have become known for elaborate festivities leading up to Mardi Gras. (In fact, in Louisiana, Mardi Gras in an official state holiday.) These festivals are usually known as Carnival – meaning "Farewell to Meat" – a name that conveys the celebration’s religious character. In summary, the original intent of Mardi Gras has always been to indulge, within the context of Catholic morality and reason. So, take this opportunity to enjoy good food and good company in preparation for our next Liturgical Season!
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