Pastoral Notes

• Ash Wednesday is upon us. This year the Universal Church has been asked by the Vatican to act in solidarity with all Catholics throughout the world by sprinkling ashes on the head. I know this is a hot topic, and there has been much resistance toward this practice throughout the United States. Lent is about sacrifice, and this small act of sacrifice will help us sacrifice in more significant matters. This practice is quite common throughout most of the rest of the world. Saint Aidan’s Parish will follow the sprinkling of ashes that Bishop Zubik has passed down through his delegate Fr. Tom Kunz, Vicar for Canonical Services. Please see a further explanation below.
• Fish Fry: Please support our annual Fish Fry. All orders are take-out only this year. This is a long-time tradition of our local Church. Hope to see you in the drive-thru.
• Food Drives: There have been significant efforts by both churches in the past to support local food drives. I have decided to reopen our food drives at both Saint Alphonsus and Saint Alexis Churches. These ministries are so very needed in this time of difficulty for all, especially the poor. The Ladies of Charity Food Drive will be going on throughout Lent; The Saint Alphonsus Church monthly food drive will be resuming; stay posted for further details to come. Thank you all for your generosity in helping those who are most in need during this time.

Ash Wednesday

Not comfortable joining us inside? Stay in your car and listen on the radio during the following services and the Ushers/Greeters will alert the Eucharistic Ministers to come outside to your car: 8:00 a.m. Mass at Saint Alexis, 12:00 p.m. Liturgy at Saint Alexis, 4:00 p.m. Liturgy at Saint Alphonsus

Note: Ash Wednesday services on February 17 will be different this year due to health guidelines put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments announced that clergy are to first bless the ashes, sprinkle them with holy water, and address all those present by saying one time, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Then, instead of making the sign of the cross with ashes on the forehead of each person, this year ashes will be sprinkled on top of the head. “It will help the priest or deacon to avoid having direct contact with a large amount of people,” said Father Tom Kunz, diocesan associate general secretary and vicar for canonical services. “This method of receiving ashes is common in other countries.”