The Season of Lent
Lent -- The Road to Easter
As Catholics honor the crucified and risen Savior through liturgy and worship, our prayer is that, through the penitential time of Lent, we can find the grace we need to cast off sin, and rejoice in the light of Easter...
excerpt from www.osv.com
[Click here to read the full article]
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Parish Mission
Fr. Brian Mullady
Easter Mission
April 18th-21st, 2010
7:00PM in the Churhc
Fellowship During Lent
Friday Fish Fry
 Don’t forget that The Knights of Columbus Council 219 hosts a Fish Fry on Friday nights during Lent (except Good Friday) from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N. Washington (HWY 25), Batavia.
Irish Fest
 Saturday, March 13th following the 4:15PM Mass
Join us for an evening of food and fellowship in the Gym.
Annual St. Joseph Table
Friday, March 19th following 5:30PM Mass and 6:00PM Stations of the Cross in Donovan Hall
 What is the St. Joseph's Day Table? St. Joseph was the protector of the young Mary and her Child, Jesus and the guardian of the spiritual home of Christians, the Church, and of the material home too. This tradition began during a severe drought in Sicily. In desperation people asked St. Joseph to intervene. They promised, if rain came, they would prepare a big feast in his honor. The tradition says their prayers were answered. In gratitude, huge banquet tables were set up in public and poor people were invited to come and eat as much as they wanted.
We need volunteers to help set up, serve, cook, tear down as well as drop off desserts, hors d'oeuvres, cheese trays, veggie trays or any kind of "meatless"foods that are easy to serve. If you are interested in helping, contact Michelle Fritz at 630-879- 5247 or Angela Lempke at 630-879-3952.
Speaker Series
Fr. Leo Pantalinghug
Grace Before Meals
Monday, March 22nd at 7:00 in the Church
 Fr. Leo will be addressing the importance of the family meal and how to avoid the fast food mentality. All are welcome. He is a captivating speaker and would be enjoyed by youth of high school age and adults of all ages. There is no charge for the event. A freewill offering will be accepted at the door. Please come and bring friends. Although Fr. Leo is a Catholic priest, his message can be enjoyed across all faiths. This is a great opportunity to invite a Catholic to come home.
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Quick Answers to Quick Questions About Lent...
Where does the word “Lent” come from?
“Lent” comes from an old English word meaning “spring”. As the earth gradually comes to life after the cold winter, so we try with the help of God’s grace to bring some spiritual life to our souls. It lasts 40 days because it is based on Christ’s stay in the desert for 40 days and the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert.
What’s Ash Wednesday all about?
Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent. People traditionally go to Mass this day to receive Ashes on their foreheads in the shape of the Sign of the Cross. It’s a visible way to show a person’s inner resolve to do penance, works of charity, and acts of prayer during this holy season. The ashes we use come from the palms that we received last year on Palm Sunday.
Why Do We Use Ashes?
The use of ashes is thought to have begun with Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century. In the Old Testament, ashes were used as a sign of humility and mortality as well as sorrow and repentence for sin. Receiving ashes on the head as a reminder of mortality and a sign of sorrow for sin was a practice of the Church by the 10th century. The ashes are burnt palms. In some places the ashes are put on the forehead in the sign of the cross as a reminder of the anointing with oil in Baptism. In other places, ashes are scattered on the top of the head.
What should we do during Lent?
Just look at some of the great suggestions below...
What are Lenten Regulations for Fast and Abstinence?
ABSTINENCE: All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence.
FAST: All adults are bound by the law of fast from the beginning of their nineteenth year up to the beginning of their sixtieth year.
EXPLANATION: The law of abstinence means that a person is bound to abstain beginning the day after one’s fourteenth birthday. The law of fast means that adults are bound to fast from the day after their eighteenth birthday until the end of the day of their fifty-ninth birthday.
APPLICATION: The law of abstinence forbids the eating of meat and food prepared with meat or meat by-products. The law of fast allows only one full meal and two lighter meals in the course of a day, and prohibits eating between meals. In the United States, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence only.
EXCEPTIONS: Women who are pregnant and persons who are sick are not bound by the law of fast.
Do I have to go to Confession during Lent?
The answer is “Yes!” We are all in need of God’s mercy. Not to receive this Sacrament is to really deprive ourselves of one of the best ways to receive God’s forgiveness. I think you will find our parish provides great opportunities for you to really come close to God. It’s all a matter of setting priorities. You will never regret setting a little time aside for the Lord during Lent. Don’t forget to fast. Remember to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays! It’s cool to be Catholic, especially during Lent. Be proud of who you are and the faith you possess. My prayer for you is that you come closer to the Lord in the next few weeks. A blessed season of Penance and Prayer to you!
Peace,
Fr. Dan
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Our Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open Sundays 1:00PM thru Saturdays 1:00PM.
