Lent is a penitential season of prayer, self-denial and helping others. In this way, the whole Church prepares for Easter with those who are to be baptised. Other celebrations in Lent (e.g. marriage) must take account of the spirit of penance: musical instruments are only used to sustain singing and floral decorations are very simple.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The law of fasting binds those who have completed their eighteenth year, until the beginning of their sixtieth year; the law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year.
Catholics are obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year, in Australia and New Zealand between Ash Wednesday and Trinity Sunday.
Project Compassion Sunday - Sunday 25 February
Please take a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes home with you and gain inspiration and hope from the dignity, creativity and resourcefulness of people who are struggling against all the odds to improve their lives throughout the developing world. They are doing so much-but with your help through Project Compassion they could do so much more.
Stations of the Cross
Every Friday at 7.00pm (English) and 7.30pm (Italian).
As I have mentioned to you last Sunday the Lenten Home Masses are to be held on the following dates and addresses. Please, feel free to invite yourselves to the nearest venue.