Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ash Wednesday Schedule:

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10,

begins the holy season of Lent. 

Masses are held in Memorial Church

at 8:00am, 5:00pm and 8:00pm. 

Noon ecumenical service with ashes.

Lenten Fasting Regulations:

Abstinence:

     abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.  All persons are bound by the law of the Church to abstain from the day after their 14th. birthday. Fasting:

     The Church’s law of fast binds on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  The law of fasting obliges from the day after one’s 18th. birthday until the day after one’s 59th birthday. Fasting means that one full meatless meal per day may be eaten.  Two other meatless meals may be taken sufficient to maintain strength, but together they should not equal a full meal.  Liquids, including milk and fruit juice, may be taken between meals.  If health or ability to work are affected, fasting does not oblige.       Private, self-imposed observance of fasting on all week days of Lent is strongly recommended.   Pastors and parents are to see to it that children who are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance, conversion and reconciliation.

Reflection:

     What we know and understand as Church more or less begins with today’s Gospel reading from St. Luke. Jesus calls His first disciples — His first Apostles. Luke tells us of the miracle that occurred for St. Peter and the others in their fishing boat. At the Lord’s command, they cast their nets after a time of catching nothing, and “they caught a great number of fish.”

     Note Peter’s reaction, however. He falls to his knees and implores Jesus, “Depart from me Lord, for I am sinful man.” St. Peter is astonished and amazed, and he is, quite frankly, afraid of what he has just experienced. We may sometimes react to the Lord’s calling in a similar way. It is a bit overwhelming and frightening to come to the realization that we, too, are called, and that the Lord has expectations of us.