Ash Wednesday and Indoor Masses
In a few days we will enter the sacred season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.  For all of us this is a sacred time of reflection and celebration of God’s constant goodness to us.  However, as with everything else during the pandemic Ash Wednesday and Lent will be a little different.
  The main celebration of Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on line which will be uploaded the evening before.  We will also have a liturgy on the morning of Ash Wednesday at 9 am with ashes being distributed following the service.  The liturgy will take place outside in front of the church.  Reservations will be needed for this celebration.  We will continue to distribute ashes throughout the day until 6 pm.   Due to the Health concerns and in compliance with the USCC and Bishop Weisenburger’s recommendation, ashes will be sprinkled over your head instead on your forehead.  No prayers will be said during the distribution.  
Similar to your usual reception of Eucharist you will be asked to sanitize your hands, and wear a mask and maintain social distancing.  As always this is designed to protect you and the people distributing the ashes.  After reception of ashes, we ask that you leave the church property and resume your daily activities.  
As a reminder, Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation.  It is a wonderful opportunity that greatly enhances our entry into Lent.  If you are not feeling well or if you have a fever, please stay home and watch our celebration on YouTube.  It is my hope that in 2022 we can restart this wonderful tradition.
On another note, I am pleased to tell you that Bishop Weisenburger has give the tentative OK to resume masses in the church following Ash Wednesday.  We will resume on the weekend of the 20th with the same protocols that we previously used before we had to return to outdoor masses.  Restrictions on music groups remains enforced until the situation with the pandemic substantially improves.   We will be keeping you informed of all updates as we receive them.  In the meantime, continue to follow the safety disciplines, watch out for each other and when the time arrives get your vaccines.
In closing I believe this Lent may be the most important period we have ever celebrated in our lifetime.  Let this year will be an opportunity to truly listen to God in a way never imagined before.  What we will learn could affect us for the rest of our lives.  So, let us come together and worship, reflect and listen carefully.   The Lord is calling.

Yours in the Savior,
Fr. Tom