Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent.

This is the primary penitential season in the Catholic Church.

And when I say that, I’m sure everyone is like, “Yippee! Penance!”

No one really likes self-denial and suffering. Although, can you really call giving up chocolate for 40 days (not including Sundays) suffering?

Giving up things you love or working on bad habits may not seem appealing. However, a lot of people must realize they’re in a spiritual deficit and need help because Ash Wednesday Masses are always packed! And it’s not even a holy day of obligation! I never see crowds packing the church for the Feast of the Assumption.

Ash Wednesday has a special way of drawing together the essential themes of Lent and delivering them in a highly charged, visual, and sensory way. Deep down, we all know we’re not completely together, no matter what we public face we project. We screw things up and make a mess. We need help with life and can’t do it alone.

Whether they turn to God for that help most of the year is doubtful. However, on this one day, Ash Wednesday, the majority of Catholics (and non-Catholics) recognize God’s forgiveness and grace to get by.

Ash Wednesday Mass times are 7:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m. 12:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Please note that Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, therefore there is no Vigil Mass.

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics as well. When fasting you can eat one full meal and two smaller meals that don’t equal a full meal. Fasting is obligatory from age 18 until age 59. Abstinence means eating no meat and is obligatory from age 14 onwards.

There will be a collection taken up at these Ash Wednesday Masses in aid to Eastern Europe Churches.

Join us as we take an imaginary walk of 6,310 miles from Champaign to Jerusalem to improve not only our physical, but also our spiritual health.

Starting Ash Wednesday, March 5th, walk and record your mileage.

20 minutes equals 1 mile.

Record your name and mileage and drop your log slip into the envelope located either in the back of church or in the Parish Center.

Our goal is to make it to Jerusalem by Easter!

Pray while you walk!

If you haven’t participated in the past we encourage you to join in this year.

We would love to have EVERYONE participate.

Even if you are unable to walk, 20 minutes of armchair aerobics counts as 1 mile.

Students, your gym classes count too–just remember to pray while you play.

Questions, call Parish Nurses Karen Olivero at 351-3181 or Gerrie Rein at 351-6169.

Stations of the Cross begin on Friday, March 7th at 5:30 p.m. in Church, followed by Benediction.

Eucharistic Adoration will continue all day on Fridays, beginning about 9:00 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m.  The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy will be chanted at 3:00 p.m.   All are invited to this beautiful devotion to the mercy of God.

Fish Frys begin on Friday, March 7th at 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Parish Center.

Free Lenten Booklets are available in the back of the church.

At the start of Lent, come for a one hour “mini-mission”…in Church…

“Evangelization:  What is it?  Why do we need it?”

Monday March 10th 6:30-7:30 p.m.

“Why am I Catholic?”

Tuesday March 11th 6:30-7:30 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

What a great way to get to know your fellow parish family members and give service to the parish at the same time!

We are looking for volunteers to work at least one hour during the Fish Fry.

Choose the following times, any or all:

5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

6:15 p.m. – end

Clean Up crew.

Jobs include clearing tables, pouring sodas, helping people to their seats, taking out garbage, etc.

Please call Jessica McMahon at 355-1197 to sign-up.

The Fish Fry starts Friday, March 7th.

It’s the best fun you’ll ever have working!

The Bereavement Support Group will meet Sunday, March 2, after the 10:00 a.m. Mass in the Parish Center Library.

Anyone suffering the loss of a loved one is welcome to attend.

Mark your calendars and join us on Sunday, March 2nd at the 4:00 p.m. Mass which will be led by our parish youth.

The children will be lectors, ushers greeters and will sing in the choir.

Interested in helping or volunteering to participate?

Call the Parish Office at 352-8748.

The next drawing for a $50 prize will be February 15th.

Purchase your chance now to win this and many other drawings to be held throughout the year.

Even when you win, your raffle ticket is put back in the pot for future drawings including $100 holiday specials and a $1000 grand prize drawing in 2014.

Raffle ticket cost is $10.

Forms are available in the parish office.

Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization WATCH.

Buy your tickets today.

Learn more about the Salesians Cooperators!

Formation is offered at Holy Cross Church.

Please join us:

Wednesday, February 12th after the 6:30 p.m. Mass

Wednesday, March 12th, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9th 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 30th 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13th 6:30 p.m. with dinner

Call Father Dave Sajdak at 352-8748 for more information.