Ash Wednesday, February 6, 2008 begins the season of Lent. It is like a time for all of us to go on retreat for 40 days! We slow down so we can hear and pay more attention to God in our lives, so that we can respond better to others. In some Christian traditions, including Catholic, Ash Wednesday is one of two days of fasting and abstaining from meat. We do not do this to be unhappy or because we don't like meat. We do this so we feel a deep hunger or longing for God. The physical hunger we experience challenges us to feed on spiritual food to fill the void. We invite our community to make every effort to cut out the snacks that day, keep the meals simple, and abstain from meat, if you can.

Each Friday (12:35-1:30) throughout Lent, beginning this week, a priest will be at SMA for individual confession/absolution for those who wish to participate in this during their Lenten journey. A copy of the Examination of Conscience used at the Ash Wednesday service will be available in the chapel.

Taize Prayer in Holy Names Chapel during Lent on Wednesday mornings at 8:00 am: February 13, 20, 27 and March 5, 12 and 19.

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday/Mardi Gras) - Pancake breakfast in the cafeteria.