Lent

Lent is a time of fasting and abstinence where Christians prepare for the joy of Easter. By 40 days of Lent (excludes Sundays) the Church unites herself to the mystery of Jesus in the desert. We give up good things that we can do without- such as sweets, media, and alcohol. We also take on things like charitable works, small group studies, and devotionals.

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days…” Lk 4:1-2

(See Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13)

“The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).” Catechism of the Catholic Church- 1438

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season. Though not a holy day of obligation, it is one of the highest attended Masses of the year. We mark our heads with ashes and remind ourselves of our relationship to God, and our desolation without him.

Ash Wednesday Services are as follows:

St. Thomas More- 8:15 am and 6:00 pm

St. Joan of Arc- 8:30 am and 6:00 pm

Rules for Fasting and Abstinence:

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.

For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to 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 of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

Looking for a new way to enter into Lent? Try Live Lent Together!

Join with Fellow parishioners or lead your family through scripture in the Church’s treasured tradition known as Lectio Divina

Penance Services

All Catholics are obligated at a bare minimum to go to confession once a year and to receive Holy Eucharist at least once during the season of Easter. We will have penance services during lent to provide this chance.

Questions or nervous about going? Contact the parish office to speak to someone: 402-507-5546

Examination of Conscience: Examinations of Conscience | USCCB

St. Joan of Arc April 1st 9-10:30 am

St. Thomas More April 4th 7 pm

Stations of the Cross

St. Joan of Arc

Friday Evenings at 7:00 pm

March 3, 17, 24, and 31 at 2:45 pm with students

St. Thomas More

Friday Evenings at 6:30 pm

March 1, 15, 22, 29, and April 5 at 2:30 pm with Students

Living Stations- St. Joan of Arc

March 31^st at 7:00 pm, Palm Sunday (April 2nd) at 3:00 pm, and April 5th at 7:00 pm

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday: 7 p.m. Mass at St. Thomas More

Good Friday: 6 p.m. service at St. Joan of Arc

Easter Vigil: 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More

Easter Sunday: 8 am @ St. Joan of Arc, 10:30 am @ St. Thomas More, 4:30 pm @ STM