Fr. Tom’s Letters

We are told that the severe cold of the past month might begin to diminish in the coming days. Forecasters speak of temperatures reaching the 40’s next week. We surely hope so. We hope that before Wednesday, February 18, Ash Wednesday, we will find it more comfortable as we begin our Lenten observance.

This year Ash Wednesday, February 18, arrives during the school recess break that extends from Presidents’ Day, Monday February 16 to Friday, February 20. Both our Catholic and public school students will not be in school on Ash Wednesday. The following will be our Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday, February 18:

7:30AM, 9:00AM, 12:00 Noon, and 5:30PM with ashes to be distributed after the homily. The 7:30 and 9:00AM Masses are our usual weekday Masses. The Noon Mass will be offered as an opportunity for the children of our parish to attend Mass and receive ashes for the beginning of Lent. Of course all parishioners, including children, are invited to attend any of the Masses. We felt that a noon Mass might be a good time for children who are on school recess break. The 5:30PM Mass will be celebrated each weekday evening during Lent from Monday to Friday. We offer this additional Lenten weekday evening Mass for those who wish to make attending daily Mass part of their Lenten practice. Our hope is that the schedule of these four Ash Wednesday Masses is helpful to all the parish.

MARCH MONDAYS MISSION!!

It is traditional that parishes offer a time for additional gathering and prayer during the Lenten season. In that spirit we will offer March Mondays Mission! These Mondays are March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. At St. Anne’s, we will be offering prayer times on each of these Mondays. We will offer the program twice a day at 2:30PM and 7:00PM. Offering the program twice each Monday allows for seniors who wish to participate to come during daylight hours; the 7:00PM start allows for those busy during the day to attend in the evening.

On March 2, 9, 16 we will begin with a period of prayer that will include a 30-minute time of Eucharistic Adoration. Following the prayer will be a presentation on the coming Sunday’s gospel. Following the presentation, we will recite together a decade of the Rosary. The 2:30 gathering will conclude by 3:45PM.  The 7:00 gathering will conclude by 8:30PM.

On Monday, March 23, we will continue a tradition that we began last year. We will have Mass for the Intention of Healing at noon and at 7:00PM. Again, we will celebrate the Healing Mass at two different times that day to accommodate the daylight and evening preferences of people. These Healing Masses will include the celebration of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

On Monday, March 30, the Monday of Holy Week, we will join with all parishes in the dioceses of Rockville Centre, Brooklyn, and the Archdiocese of New York to offer the sacrament of Confession, Penance, Reconciliation. Hours for Confession on Monday of Holy Week, March 30, will be from 2 to 4PM and 6-9PM. Celebrating this Sacrament is a wonderful preparation for Easter.

Hopefully all of the above will help you and your family experience an enriching Lent. The ambition of Lent is that we grow closer to the Lord by prayer, acts of charity (almsgiving) and acts of penance. In the coming bulletins you will find more information about MARCH MONDAYS MISSION and St. Anne’s observance of the Lenten season.

Enjoy a peace-filled and warmer week!