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Easter Sunday is April 4, 2021
During the Season of Lent: Mass will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Monday evenings at St. Mary's with the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) available before and after Mass: 4:30-5:15 p.m. and after Mass until 6:30 p.m.
Fasting - Pope Francis reminds us of fasting that the Lord desires as stated in the book of Isaiah: “This,  rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the  oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;  clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” Pope Francis: "fast from hurting words and say kind words; fast from pressures and be prayerful; fast from grudges and be reconciled; fast from bitterness and be filled with joy."
Fr. Dean, 2/19/2021
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Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021) marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. We have typically been marked with ashes imposed on our foreheads as a sign of our repentance. According to recent instructions from the Sacred Congregation for Worship and the Sacraments, a new procedure for imposition of ashes will occur in the United States and perhaps in other countries. Ashes will not be pasted to the forehead but instead, as is done in many European countries previously, so now for the world, Ashes will be sprinkled upon the head of the penitent who comes forth for the sign of repentance. The times for liturgies with bestowing of Ashes will be as follows:
7:30 a.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Mary's
8:30 a.m. - Mass for the St. Thomas School Only - Open to all with school closed
9:30 a.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Thomas
12:10 p.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Thomas
3:00 p.m. - Rosary at St. Thomas
5:30 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
​7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
​Fr. Dean, February 12, 2021

                                                          Lenten Regulations
                   Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

1. Abstinence - Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstain from meat on all the Fridays of Lent.

2. Fast - Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 is required to fast on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is permitted. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each person's needs, but together these two should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.

Note: Health and/or medical needs dispense a person.

3. To Disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful. However,
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                          May this holy season be a time of spiritual renewal for each of us!
© 2013 St. Thomas the Apostle Church
Phone: 618/783-8741
404 W. Jourdan St. Newton, IL 62448
Fax: 618/783-8742
Email: stthomaschurch@psbnewton.com