The season of Lent is a time of preparation. Use these 40 days to renew and strengthen your faith, while preparing for the celebration of Easter.
A Special Time
Lent is a special time as we focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. During these 40 days, we prepare our hearts and souls as we journey towards Holy Week and the celebration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. It’s a time for prayerful reflection of who we are as children of God and how we can better serve our families, our parish, our community and the world.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. View our Mass Times schedule for the Ash Wednesday and Holy Week schedule.
This Lent, let’s learn to better love one another as Christ loves; let’s learn to see Christ in one another and to be Christ for one another; and let’s strengthen our relationship with God as we’ve never done before. St. Francis of Assisi will be offering the following opportunities to do just that:
On a specific day
WEDNESDAYS
Lenten Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Adoration will be available each Wednesday evening during Lent following 6:30 p.m. Mass for 30 minutes in addition to our regular monthly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, March 15th, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
FRIDAYS
Scripture Study
A scripture study program will be offered each Friday during Lent immediately following 9:00 a.m. Mass. The opening program is entitled “Our Story: A Basic Introduction to the Bible For Catholics”. Get the Bible’s big picture, along with a uniquely Catholic approach to the Scriptures.
Lenten Friday Fish Dinners
Knights of Columbus will host Friday Fish Frys during Lent. Dinner is fried or baked fish, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, potato salad, pea salad, and dessert (cookie) for $12 adults, age 13 and up; $6 for children age 6-12, children under age 5 are FREE; and family of four or more in the same household can all eat for $40 charge.
Stations of the Cross & Benediction
Stations of the Cross will be held on Fridays during Lent at 7:00 p.m. after the Fish Fry meal.
SATURDAYS / SUNDAYS
Pray the Rosary
Every Sunday, 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. and Saturday, 5:00 – 5:15 p.m. you can pray the Rosary at the church. Be a part of this Catholic tradition. Teach your children how to pray the Rosary. Come spend time in prayer.
Multiple Days
Confession
No matter how long you have been away or what you have done, Jesus is waiting for you in the sacrament of reconciliation.You have several opportunities:
- Saturday before Mass from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- Wednesday evenings during Lent following Mass from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Parish Communal Penance Service on Thursday, March 23rd
Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist
This small-group program explores this beautiful gift that we’ve been given and opens us up to a better understanding of this mystery of faith. “Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is actually the ‘source and summit’ of the Christian life. Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beauty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to its profound role in the life of the Church and her members. It is the crescendo of the entire story of salvation.” See the signup sheet for available days and times.
Anytime
Dynamic Catholic: Best Lent Ever
This year’s Dynamic Catholic BEST LENT EVER program is based on the book “Holy Moments” that was one of the books offered by our parish during the Christmas season. Join Matthew Kelley for daily videos and meditations. “Every time you collaborate with God to create a Holy Moment… the real you emerges. Most people live and die without even scratching the surface of their potential. Don’t let that be your story! Let Holy Moments reveal what the real you can do.” Sign-up at https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever.html.
FORMED Lenten Resources
Lent is a great time to dig into the countless resources in our parish Formed Subscription. Set up a weekly movie night and watch one of the many movies on the lives of the saints. Or listen to an audio book (“Glimpses Along the Way of the Cross”). Or investigate The Footprints of God, or Wild Goose series, or the many Respect Life programs. This Lent can be truly transformative. Spend some time with Formed and enjoy! Access Formed at https://formed.org/ and select "Sign up as a parishioner" if you haven't already created your free account.
"Together WE CAN" Service Project
Participate in Parish Lenten Service Project “Together We CAN” is a soup drive for the needy. Bring CAN(s) of soup that will be donated to Least of These.
Little Black Book
The Little Black Book provides daily 6 minute Lenten reflections based on the Sunday Gospels of Lent, with scripture readings from Luke and John. This is a good way to spend a few minutes with the Lord Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Booklets are in gathering space, one per family please.
Ministering to those in Nursing Homes and Homebound
If you are aware of any parishioners in nursing homes or who are homebound and wish to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and/or Holy Eucharist, please contact the parish office. Fr. Shoby would like to visit our parishioners who are not able to come to St. Francis of Assisi church and administer these beautiful sacraments.
Home Blessing and Visit
Would you like your home blessed? Please contact the parish office and Fr. Shoby will come to your home to bless it and spend some time visiting with you about your needs and how the parish can better serve you and your family.
Operation Rice Bowl
You are encouraged to have simple meals once or twice a week during Lent, giving the money saved to the Rice Bowl collection. Use any container at home to place your money or Rice Bowls are available at church. Return your collection to church on Holy Thursday, April 6th, by placing your rice bowl on the table in the gathering space or place your check/cash in envelope marked Rice Bowl and mail/return to church.
Diocesan Lenten Youth Mission of Mercy
The youth of our parish and their families are invited to support the Lenten Youth Mission of Mercy project. This year our diocese is supporting the efforts of the Stockton Area Ministerial Alliance, SAMA, as they minister to those living in poverty in this area of our diocese. Bishop Rice is encouraging our youth and their families to pray for the poor daily, fast and use the money normally spent on favorite foods and activities as a donation (almsgiving) toward this project.
Take time for prayer
At least thirty minutes of personal, private, quiet prayer daily. Use aids in reflecting daily on scriptures. Enhance your life. Consider stepping outside your comfort zone in your prayer life. Participate in Prayer Commitment Sunday, February 26th.
