Great Lent is right around the corner. This Sunday, March 13th, is Quinquagesima, the last Sunday of the three week pre-Lenten season according to the Western Rite. Tuesday, March 15th is Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday comes from the old English word Shriven, which means confessed. The ancient English spiritual discipline is to go to Confession, to be shriven of our sins, before the beginning of Lent. I went to Confession this week, and will be hearing Confessions on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. What a blessing this Sacrament is! You feel unburdened, and spiritually fresh and clean. It’s like taking a spiritual shower.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER
Shrove Tuesday is the last day of the pre-Lenten season, with the Great Fast beginning on Ash Wednesday. Holy Cross parish will hold a traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 15th, at 6:00 PM. This is a beloved English tradition. Eggs, Sausage and Pancakes will be served. The public is invited. This is not a parish fundraiser and there is no cost for the Supper, however a free will offering will be taken. Be sure to invite family and friends to this wonderful annual event. They will have a great time. The Christian life is the Good Life at Holy Cross Orthodox Church!
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday, March 16th, is the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday Services will include the sung Litany and the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes. Services begin at 6:30 PM. This is a very important day in our spiritual lives and I hope that everyone will make every effort to be there. Lent is a time for new beginnings. It is an opportunity to begin again in our walk with the Lord. Let us make use of this opportunity to begin again if we need to, or to deepen our commitment to faithful discipleship.
There will be no mid-day celebration of the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, March 16th. Our regular midweek Services will resume on Wednesday, March 23rd, at 12:10 PM. Please join us for Services on Ash Wednesday, March 16th, at 6:30 PM.
CONFESSIONS
Confessions will be heard on Shrove Tuesday and on Ash Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and by appointment.
WHY DO WE FAST DURING LENT?
Why do we fast during Lent? We all have some understanding as to the reasons, but we may not have as yet really grasped it. Archpriest Michael Gillis has written a very helpful, short article titled, “Why Do We Fast In Lent?” I hope that you will read it. Here is the Link:
NANCY REAGAN
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan entered eternity this week and her funeral is being held today. The Reagans had an enormous impact on our nation and on the world, and their legacy lives on. I have posted a photograph of President Ronald and First Lady Nancy Reagan visiting an Orthodox monastery on our parish Facebook page. The Reagans are surrounded by Orthodox monks and Mrs. Reagan is holding a bouquet of flowers given her by the brotherhood. The Photograph was taken in 1988, when the Reagans were visiting Moscow. In 1988, Orthodox Christians were celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.
Do you visit our parish Facebook page regularly? It is updated often. Please go to our Facebook page and assist us in our outreach by “Liking” it, and then follow our postings. Here is the Link:
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 13th, so be sure to change your clocks before going to bed on Saturday night. In order to help us adjust to the time change there will be no Christian Education this Sunday morning. Matins will be as usual at 9:15 AM, followed by the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM. Christian Education will resume on Sunday, March 20th. at 8:45 AM.
SUNDAY SERVICES
Sunday Matins (Morning Prayer) begins at 9:15 AM, followed by the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM, with fellowship and refreshments in the parish hall after the Liturgy. We are a faithful and friendly church, and we have a place for you. Everyone is always welcome. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you there!
