LENT AND EASTER
AT SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE

 

 

"Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation."
(2 Corinthians 6:2)

 

 

"Each year you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed. . . . As we recall the events that gave us new life in Christ, you bring the image of your Son to perfection in us" (Preface I of Lent)

 

 

__________

 Lord, protect us
in our struggle against evil.

Make this season holy
by our self-denial.

May the light of your truth
bestow sight to our sinful eyes,
and our repentance bring us
the blessing of your forgiveness
and the gift of new life.

We ask this
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
__________

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE SEASON

Lent, like many other practices and observances in the life of the church, had a gradual development.  Its beginnings grew out of the desire to prepare appropriately for the central Christian feast of Easter.  Christians reflected on the 40 days of fasting undertaken by Moses (Exodus 34:28), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus (Mark 4:2; Luke 4:1-2) as times of preparation for momentous events.  It was only natural that they wished to imitate the example of these great Scriptural figures as part of their preparation for celebrating the saving passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord.  The first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, in the year 325 A.D., already speaks of a 40-day period of preparation for Easter as something obvious and familiar to all.

Other influences entered into the development of the Lenten season.  Among these were the reconciliation of penitents and the bringing of candidates for the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil.  Both of these represented a response to the basic summons enunciated in the Gospel of Mark: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" (1:15).  What the church required of candidates and penitents by way of liturgical and ascetical effort came to be assumed by the faithful out of a sense of solidarity with those embracing life in Christ and out of a need for renewal of personal spiritual life.

Pope Benedict XVI opens his message for Lent 2010 with these words: "Each year, on the occasion of Lent, the church invites us to a sincere review of our life in light of the teachings of the Gospel.  This year, I would like to offer you some reflections on the great theme of justice, beginning from the Pauline affirmation: 'The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ.'  The Holy Father goes on to define justice and to locate the origin of injustice in the human heart seduced by selfishness, sin, and a false self-reliance.

"The justice of Christ," he says, " . . . is the justice that comes from grace where it is not the human person who makes amends, heals himself and others."  Expiation is "the loving act of God who opens himself in the extreme, even to the point of bearing in himself the 'curse' due to man so as to give in return the 'blessing' due to God."  Christians recognize that we have received, in Christ, more than could ever be expected or hoped for, and are moved to "contribute to creating just societies, where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love."

The Paschal Triduum, at the end of Lent, celebrates the justice that comes from God alone, "the fullness of charity, gift, salvation."

This Lent, we invite you to remember the suffering of others, especially the Haitian people in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.  In charity and in justice, let us sacrifice to help them in their need.  Homes for Haiti is Saint Jean's Lenten almsgiving initiative to raise money to build safe, comfortable homes.  Food for the Poor estimates the cost of one house at $2,600.  Be creative in finding ways as families and individuals to sacrifice something this Lent for those who have lost everything!

Update on Homes for Haiti:  As of March 29, $5,259 has been donated.  This is now at two houses, and building!  Thank you for caring.  Donations will be accepted through Easter Sunday.

The complete text of Pope Benedict XVI's Message for Lent 2010.

 

 

LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE

The Lenten practices of fast and abstinence have a long history in the church, dating to the first centuries of Christianity.  The purpose behind such acts of self-denial is to simplify our lifestyle so that we can experience a certain emptiness and a corresponding hunger for God.  In this way, freed from all distractions, we can respond to the continuous call to conversion of life and greater holiness.

Fasting
 Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by those from 18 until 59 years of age.  On fast days, one full meal is allowed, and two smaller meals, sufficient for strength, may be taken.  Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids may be consumed as needed.

Abstinence
 Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent by all who are 14 years of age and older.

Those who cannot fulfill these practices because of health needs or other considerations are encouraged to undertake other expressions of generosity of spirit and self-denial in union with Christ.

Pray, Fast, Give Alms!
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the traditional disciplines of Lent.  Catholics and those preparing for entrance into the church are encouraged to undertake these disciplines in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or for the renewal of baptismal promises at Easter.

 

 


ASH WEDNESDAY

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Day of fast (age 18 until 59)
and of abstinence from meat (age 14 and older)

Abstinence from meat
on the Fridays of Lent

MASSES

7:30 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
5:30 p.m.

SCRIPTURE SERVICES

8:30 a.m.   8:45 a.m.   9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.   9:30 a.m.   9:45 a.m.
1:00 p.m.   4:00 p.m.   6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m., Vespers

Blessed ashes are received
within the context of hearing God's word
which invites all to conversion
and new life in Jesus Christ

The day concludes with Vespers,
the church's official evening prayer

 

WEEKDAY

MASSES

7:30 a.m. (9:00 a.m. Saturday)
12:15 p.m.
5:30 p.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament daily

 

SUNDAY

SUNDAY MASSES

5:30 p.m. Saturday (Vigil)
9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

 

 

É
SOUPTALK:
 FOOD FOR BODY AND SOUL

Each Monday evening of Lent, through March 29, at 6:30, share a simple supper of delicious soup and bread in the Community Center, followed by a talk and a Q&A session and prayer.  This year, we will reflect on the Sunday Gospels for the Year of Luke.  Feed your body and soul.  No charge, but please call 212.288.5082 to reserve your place at the table!

FEBRUARY 22 — TEMPTATION (LK 4:1-13): IN JESUS WE PASS THE TEST
Fr. Bernard Camiré, S.S.S.
MARCH 1 — TRANSFIGURATION (LK 9:28-36): IF WE ARE ASLEEP, WHAT WILL WE MISS?
Fr. Anthony Schueller, S.S.S.
MARCH 8 — REPENTANCE (LK 13:1-9): GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US
Deacon Joseph Pino
MARCH 15 — FORGIVING (LK 15:1-3, 11-32): IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT ME
John Lantry
MARCH 22 — FORGIVEN (JN 8:1-11): GUILTY.  NOW WHAT?
Robin Drayer
MARCH 29 — PALMS AND PASSION (LK 22:14-23:56): FOLLOWING WHERE JESUS LEADS US
Fr. Ernest Falardeau, S.S.S.

 

 

É
LET THE WORD SPEAK!

Weekly Bible Study on the Sunday Lectionary

Wednesday

Parish House, 7:00 p.m.

Want to enrich your hearing of God's word at Mass?  Come together with others to read and pray and share the Scriptures.  Sessions are led by a member of the parish staff and last one hour. 

 

 

É
 PRAY FOR OUR NEW MEMBERS

The enthusiastic faith of new members enriches our community.  Pray for those preparing for the sacraments of initiation and also for the children and young people preparing for First Communion and confirmation.

 

 

É
 RECONCILIATION

CONFESSION

Monday through Saturday

11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
4:30-5:25 p.m. (Saturday)

Sunday

7:00-7:25 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3

Communal Penance Service with Individual Confession
7:00 p.m.

Holy Thursday, April 1

11:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon

Holy Saturday, April 3

10:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon

Confession available anytime
at the Parish House or by appointment

 

 

É
 STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Walk the Via Crucis.  Retrace the final moments of Jesus' earthly life and witness a love that is faithful unto death.

Friday and Saturday

After 12:15 p.m. Mass

 

 

"Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining." (Easter Sequence)

 

 

EASTER

HOLY WEEK AND THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
MARCH 28, 2010

Saturday Vigil Mass

5:30 p.m.

Sunday Masses

9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

 

HOLY THURSDAY
APRIL 1

Mass of the Lord's Supper

7:30 p.m.

Adoration at the Altar of Reposition

8:30 p.m. until Midnight

 

GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
APRIL 2

Day of fast (age 18 until 59)
and of abstinence from meat (age 14 and older)

Stations of the Cross

12:00 Noon

Seven Last Words of Christ

1:00 p.m.

Liturgy of the Lord's Passion and Death

3:00 p.m.

Tenebrae

7:30 p.m.

 

HOLY SATURDAY
APRIL 3

Tenebrae

9:00 a.m.

Easter Vigil

7:30 p.m.

No other services

 

EASTER SUNDAY
RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
APRIL 4

Easter Masses

9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:00 Noon
5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

 

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
JUNE 6

Solemn Vespers and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

4:00 p.m.

 

Featuring the Parish Choir of Saint Jean Baptiste
and the Choir of Saint Jean Baptiste
under the direction of Kyler Brown,
Director of Music Ministries and Organist

 

 

The Season of Lent

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