We have a lot coming up in the next week. Let me be among the first to wish you a very Happy Lunar New Year! Sometimes called “Chinese New Year,” it’s another way of looking at time from our typical Gregorian calendar. Perhaps being a particularly lucky day, Lunar New Year, Feb. 12, will cancel out any bad luck from last year.
Next Sunday, February 14, is the Sixth Sunday of good old ordinary time, and also St. Valentine’s Day. For us here at St. Austin parish/school, it is also a special day of preparation for Lent, which commences the following Wed., Feb. 17.
Because of the pandemic restrictions we follow to keep us all safe, we are discouraging the in-person reception of ashes on Ash Wednesday. You can still get ashes as you do not have to be ordained to distribute ashes. Every year lay ministers help us in the distribution of ashes, and this year we are extending that invitation to all our parishioners. Next Sun., Feb. 14, we will have a special drive-thru on the blacktop for all parishioners and school families and friends. Come with your Mardi Gras masks over your face masks. Decorate your vehicle for Mardi Gras, and bring cleaning supplies to donate to Casa Marianella. You will receive containers of blessed ashes, with instructions for you to use in your own home and neighborhood on Ash Wednesday.
The Knights of Columbus will again serve as the vehicle parade marshals, with vehicles assembling at 2:15 p.m. in the parish garage on MLK and San Antonio Street, with the parade up San Antonio and through our blacktop commencing at 2:30 p.m.
Come and celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and receive your container of ashes. All this on next Sunday, Feb. 14, beginning at 2:30 p.m. See you there!
God bless!
No comments:
Post a Comment