COVID Update, Lent and Ash Wednesday

Welcome Back!
No change yet insofar as the obligation of Catholics to attend Sunday Mass each week. The Archbishop has said he will be waiting until the vaccine is widely available before reinstating the obligation to attend Sunday Mass in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

It has been good to see a few more people making their way back to Mass. We are committed to keeping our environment at Mass safe while continuing to celebrate Mass at Epiphany Thanks for your real charity in wearing face coverings, social distancing and all the other things we have asked. Hopefully, more people will be comfortable in returning soon.

New Heart, New Spirit -
Four words  could not better describe Lent. Lent is a season filled with opportunity for God to do something new with us. Our biggest challenge??? To be open to what God wants for us!!! More important than "giving something up" is listening and trying to hear what God has in store. If we can do that, we may be amazed to discover a new heart and a new spirit.

Do you want God to bring God's healing love to some area of your life? Is it important for you that God help you see in a new way? Lent is a great season for this to happen or at least can start to head us in God's direction.

What Are You Doing For Lent? 
For some, this may be the question of the week with Ash Wednesday on our mind. You will see the Church's Lenten Guidelines for for fasting and abstinence give us direction for that. The  beauty of these practices is that we agree to do these together as a Church and as a family. Hopefully, doing this together unites us with each other. Even better, it may unite us with those who lack food or are hungry. That's particularly true  of the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Program (website is  crsricebowl.org).

Many will consider other self-chosen practices for Lent. As you plan for Lent, do consider what might really help you so God can bring about change in you and in all of us! Giving up chocolate may not really do that.

Ash Wednesday and Covid -
Posted below are the services for Ash Wednesday. The 9 a.m. Mass will be live streamed on Wednesday, February 17th. Traditionally, many people like to come to Mass or a service on Ash Wednesday and receive ashes. We know we have to try to do this at times that people can come.

Do know however that Ash Wednesday is NOT a day of obligation.

Nor is it necessary to celebrate Mass to distribute ashes on this day.

Know that the two noon-time services at each of our two churches will be a prayer service (not Mass) with the blessing and distribution of ashes. Since it is not Mass, other members of our staff can lead these services as well. This may seem new to some, but it's probably been in regular use in the Church for over twenty years.

Ash Wednesday- February 17

7:30 AM Mass - St. Joseph
9:00 AM Mass - Holy Family (livestreamed)
12:05 PM Prayer Service with Distribution of Ashes - St. Joseph
12:05 PM Prayer Service with Distribution of Ashes - Holy Family
6:00 PM Mass - Holy Family

Let's look forward to a grace-filled Lent together!
   - Father Neil