The beginning of the holy season of Lent for the Western Rite is on Wednesday, March 17. In the Ash Wednesday liturgy, we are marked with ashes (made from the palms of the previous Palm Sunday) to remind us that we are sinful and repentance is required of us. For the next forty days – in memory of our Lord’s time of temptation in the wilderness – we will fast and pray, we will give alms and confess our sins. Vespers will be at 6:30PM that evening, the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes and Mass will begin at 7PM.
For those keeping the full Byzantine fast, Meatfare Sunday (the last day to eat meat) is March 7th, and Cheesefare Sunday (the last day to eat dairy) is March 14th. The traditional Western fast begins on Ash Wednesday (3/17).
We will celebrate the Eve of the Feast of St. Gregory on March 11th, with Vespers at 6:30PM and Sung Mass at 7PM. We will celebrate the Eve of the Feast of the Annunciation on Wednesday, March 24, with Vespers at 6:30PM and Mass at 7PM.
On the Fridays of Lent, Stations of the Cross and Litany will be offered at 7PM. On four Wednesdays, March 31, April 7, 14, and 21, a Bible study on the Scripture readings from the Paschal Vigil service will be held at 7PM. This study was planned for Lent of 2020 but had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since we remain under restrictions from the pandemic, these classes will be held by Zoom.
In the annual parish meeting, held via Zoom this year, Karl Tsuji and Nathaniel Green were elected for second terms on the parish council. We are nearing the completion of Phase 2 of our construction, awaiting the installation of the railing on the handicap ramp and deck. Our food contributions for the Food for Hungry People weighed in at 200 pounds. These canned and packaged goods were donated to the Manna Food Center, which has locations in Silver Spring and Gaithersburg.
Read the full March newsletter here.