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Ash Wednesday
February 17, 2021 is Ash Wednesday. None of us have ever created a parish schedule for Ash Wednesday during a worldwide pandemic. Our considerations began by ensuring the safety of all those who come to our churches. We are also very aware of the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and the desire of many to begin Lent with ashes. The schedule below is designed to provide a variety of choices with a maximum of safety. Please note that there are Masses and Services scheduled as well as times when you can just come to church and receive Holy Communion and ashes. We hope you will choose what is best for you and your family. The Catholic schools will have their own services and distribute ashes in their classrooms and will not be attending any Masses or services in the churches (to limit the size of gatherings). Vatican and Diocesan instructions direct us NOT to place ashes on the foreheads of individuals but rather to sprinkle ashes on the top of the head. We are not to say the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel” individually but once before distributing ashes. Small containers of ashes will be available in the vestibules to take ashes to the sick and those confined to their homes.
Holy Sepulcher
9:00 am - Mass with distribution of Ashes
4:00 pm - Service with distribution of Holy Communion and Ashes
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Distribution of Holy Communion and Ashes
7:00 pm - Mass with distribution of Ashes
Saint Kilian
6:30 am - Mass with distribution of Ashes
9:00 am - Mass with distribution of Ashes
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Distribution of Holy Communion and Ashes
4:00 pm - Service with distribution of Holy Communion and Ashes
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Distribution of Holy Communion and Ashes
7:00 pm - Mass with distribution of Ashes
NOTE:
MASS means the Mass with pandemic restrictions and the distribution of ashes and Holy Communion at the end of Mass.
SERVICE means a Gospel reading, a very brief homily, the Our Father and the distribution of ashes and Holy Communion at the end.
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION AND ASHES means exactly that. Arrive anytime during that hour and both the Eucharist and ashes will be available.
ASHES for the sick and homebound (for whatever reason) will be provided in small containers at each church. There is also a card available with a Scripture reading and the formula for the distribution of ashes. Any unused ashes are to be scattered in the earth and not retained.
FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES Vatican authorities and the local bishop have directed that they are not to be placed on the forehead of each individual but rather lightly sprinkled on the top of the head. Each person is asked to incline their head to facilitate doing so. This custom is fairly common in some countries in Europe and will be used here because of the pandemic.
Catholic School Children will not be attending any Mass or Services in the churches because of limited space for social distancing. They will have a brief service and the distribution of Ashes in each classroom.