Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
9:00 am *
12:10 pm, 4:00 pm, and 7:30 pm
9:00 am *
12:10 pm, 4:00 pm, and 7:30 pm
These will all be regular Masses with ashes given out within the liturgy.
Ash Wednesday's 9:00am Mass
Broadcast Live on Westborough TV
Verizon Fios Channel 24 or
Charter Spectrum Channel 191
As an added protection during Covid, ashes will be sprinkled on top of people's heads rather than used to mark foreheads. This is the customary practice at the Vatican. Given the spread of the coronavirus, the practice has the advantage of not requiring the priest to touch multiple people. Please note: Due to Covid precautions, ashes will not be distributed outside of Mass.
Help support our retired priests as a part of a new Collection for Priest Retirement. Please consider a donation as a way to express your appreciation of the dedicated service of our retired priests to the people of our diocese.
Lent is a a period of preparation leading to our celebration of the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but are called to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully.
Enrich your Lenten Season!
Find many Lenten programs, study groups, daily reflections, and more!
Something for everyone to help make this a blessed and holy Lent!
A St. Luke’s Lenten Book Discussion Group on Zoom
Searching for and Maintaining Peace:
A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart
By Father Jacques Philippe
Wednesday evenings on Zoom - 7:00-7:45 pm
February 24th through March 24th
Facilitated by parishioner Susan Bailey on Zoom
The book is only 100 pages with 18 very short chapters. Faith grows as we share amongst ourselves. We will read approximately 20 pages per session and discuss together the content, and for those interested, how it relates to our own lives.
In our current times of uncertainty and stress, this small book offers insight into how to seek out and maintain our inner peace. Rooted in our Catholic tradition, Fr. Philippe gently but clearly encourages the reader to place ‘all our confidence in God and abandon ourselves to his loving care.’ He explores topics such as: the importance of having goodwill, our worry of going without, the difficulty in believing in providence, and our fear of suffering. “Since peace of heart is a pure gift of God, it is something we should seek, pursue and ask him for without cease. This book is here to help us in that pursuit. Taking concrete examples from our everyday life, the author invites us to respond in a Gospel fashion to the upsetting situations we must all confront.” (Excerpts taken from the back cover)
Book may be ordered on Amazon for under $10 or, if you prefer us to order you a book, please email Julie Basque at pastoralassociate@stlukes-parish.org
(If you are unable to pay for the book, scholarships are offered.)
Registration required.
To register, email Julie Basque at pastoralassociate@stlukes-parish.org
Celebrating a Life of Ministry
Monsignor Mike has shared a life of faith, wisdom, joy and dedication with us, and never has it meant more than in the past twelve months. The recording of masses during the pandemic has presented us with a library of Monsignor’s consistent message of God’s abundant love and companionship.
With great joy, we searched this precious archive and assembled a series of brief texts containing Monsignor’s inspiring messages to share with you each day during this Lenten season.
Bishop Barron's Word on Fire Engage for Lent!
St. Luke Parish Offers Word on Fire Engage Free During Lent!
During Lent, all parishioners who are subscribed to receive St. Luke Flocknotes (that's you if you're reading this email) have full access to all Word on Fire content - free of charge - including the complete digital library and all premium content.
Sermons, Lectures, Series, Mini-courses, and more; from any device, any time!
Built on the Flocknote platform so you have full access with just one click!
During Lent we are called to a deeper communion with God; a prayerful preparation for the joyful conquering of death by the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But....How should we pray? How can we deepen our prayer life?
Watch this short video, the first in a 4-series mini-course on Prayer, in which Bishop Barron shares practical ways to connect with God.
Two easy ways to access Word on Fire content:
Click on the link within an email or text sent from St. Luke's Parish. No sign-ins - you'll be able to view the content right in the email.
Go to your Flocknote dashboard and access the content whenever you'd like. (You may need to create a sign in / password.) If you haven't signed up yet, it's easy!
Sign up here: St. Luke Parish Flocknote
Click the Word on Fire image to visit St. Luke the Evangelist Parish's Flocknote dashboard.
Lenten Alms Change Lives
CRS Rice Bowls can be picked up in the vestibule of the church.
Families can help sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and malnutrition. We have the power to make the world a better place for all.
Give the money you save from giving up certain purchases each week, or the money saved by not eating meat—about $3 per person per meal—to your Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world.
Click the picture of the rice bowl to find meatless recipes from around the world to incorporate into your Lenten Friday meals!
Bible Study for Young Adults (on Zoom)
Tuesday evenings of Lent at 8pm Beginning on February 23
All young adults (18-39) are invited to a virtual Lenten Bible Study on Zoom.
The Bible study will involve Lectio Divina along with a discussion. Each session will be unique to that Sunday's gospel reading so individuals are welcome to attend all gatherings, some, or even just one or two. Feel free to attend as often as you are able!
To sign up to receive the Zoom link, go to neworcester.org/lent-lectio-divina
More to Explore --
Studies, Libraries, and Online Lenten Resources:
"The Search"
St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge
Monday nights, February 15 through March 29
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
In-person or Zoom class
The Search is an innovative video series from Augustine Institute which tackles the key questions of the human heart. Multi-disciplinary experts will address such issues as life and death, sorrow and happiness, science and faith, and the meaning and purpose of life. Whether you are a seeker, tepid in your faith or completely engaged, you will find this series enlightening.
Class is free but there is an optional workbook available for $10.
For more info or to register, visit St. Mary's website
"Watch with Me"
Online Home Study Program
Watch with Me is an online Lenten experience for adults - to stop, rest, reflect, listen, and pray. Each Sunday evening during Lent you will receive a link to participate at your convenience - no meetings, no schedule. Each activity will include a music and one or two short reflective prayers requiring 15-20 minutes of your time.
For questions or to register,
contact Romeo Marquis at Rmarquis48@outlook.com.
It's free, but you must pre-register.
Dynamic Catholic's Best Lent Ever! Journey through Matthew Kelly’s book, I Heard God Laugh: A Practical Guide to Life’s Essential Daily Habit.
Extensive library including Daily Prayer, link to daily readings, a brief meditation, Daily Reflection for that day, and Intercessions from the Liturgy of the Hours.
- Lenten Calendar - provides daily inspiration and reflection for your journey. English or Spanish.
- Penance - Rediscovering the Sacrament
- Daily Calendar - Visit the digital daily calendar for a challenge every day of Lent - can't “open” til that day comes along!
- A quick, informative video: Ash Wednesday and Lent in Two Minutes
- 25 Great Things you can do for Lent
- Video - Preparing your Family for Lent
- Family Resources (Scroll down to "Lent")
Renew Your Love of the Mass - Daily lesson focusing on a different part of the Mass with optional audio lessons and videos.
