Lent is upon us!  While some of this information is available elsewhere in the bulletin, I wanted to review some things.  First, on Ash Wednesday, Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 AM—not the usual 8:30 AM Mass!  Later in the day, at noon and 7:00 PM, there will be Word Services with distribution of ashes.  Let me warn you that the evening service is usually very crowded, like, Christmas crowded!
 
People always want to know about the regulations surrounding fasting (reducing food intake) and abstinence (not eating meat).  Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.  In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence, though many people like to fast on Fridays, as well.   The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.  When fasting, a person should eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals, that together, are not equal to a full meal.  The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members from age 14 onward.
           
ALWAYS!!  Always, health issues are most important.  If following any of these guidelines threatens your health, then they are abrogated (they do not apply!).  Also, for example, if for some reason, abstinence is not possible on a Friday, you might observe it another day.  Wednesday is another frequently observed day for this.  I encourage you to see fasting and abstinence not so much as rules, but as opportunities to remind ourselves of the great gift of God’s love we will celebrate on Easter.
 
The 40 days of Lent begin with Ash Wednesday and end on Holy Saturday in the evening.  And, YES, Sundays are not counted in the 40!  Nonetheless, the Church urges us to maintain the Lenten spirit of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  We are an Easter People and, in thanksgiving for God’s gift shown forth in the Resurrection, we step back during Lent to reflect on this gift so freely and undeservedly given.