MASS TIMES:
St Joseph Church: 7:15 AM and 12 NOON
Mary Queen of Peace Church: 9:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 5:30 PM

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.

Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God. Writings from the second century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance. Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's Palm Sunday Mass.

Days of Fast: Ash Wednesday & Good Friday—for all who have reached their 18th birthday and have not yet reached their 60th birthday, a limit of one full meatless meal.

Days of Abstinence: Ash Wednesday & All Fridays in Lent including Good Friday—for all who have reached their 14th birthday, no meat can be taken.