Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.
It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.
Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God’s gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446).
“Prayer, almsgiving and fasting are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness and self-emptying, in which we cast out the idols that weigh us down, the attachments that imprison us.”—Pope Francis, Message for Lent, 2024
In Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.
Please join us for any of these Lenten/Easter offerings!
Ash Wednesday | March 5
MIÉRCOLES DE CENIZA
Wednesday, March 5
Receive ashes at all service times. All held in the Main Church
7:00 am – Mass
12:05 pm – Mass
3:30 pm – Prayer Service
5:00 pm – Prayer Service
6:30 pm – Prayer Service
7:30 pm – La Misa (en español) con distribución de ceniza
Special Collection: For the Church in Central & Eastern Europe
Colecta Especial: La Iglesia en Europa Central y Oriental
Mark your envelope “Europe” or give online
Marque su sobre “Europa” o dar en línea
Lenten Retreat | March 8
Saturday, March 8
8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Event will start with 8:15 am Mass in the Main Church, followed by the Retreat in the Chapel Lower Level. The retreat will be led by Fr. Benzes – Everyone is invited! Cost: Free will donation. Contact Leonor in the Faith Formation Office to sign up: lcarvajal@stisidoreparish.org – (630) 295-8351
Parish Mission | March 16-18
Healing Mass | March 18
Stations of the Cross
Fridays during Lent (Mar 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr 4, 11) in the Main Church at 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 17 – SICS 7th Grade Living Stations · 1:30 pm
Good Friday – April 18 · 3:00 pm
Reconciliation Service | April 2
Wednesday, April 2
7:00 pm
Multiple priests will be available for individual confession.
Private Reconciliation (bilingual)
Fridays during Lent in the Main Church (Mar 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr 4, 11), immediately following the 7 am and Noon Masses. Or call the parish office to schedule an appointment.
Saturdays: 8:45 -10:00 am
Palm Sunday | April 13
Saturday 4/12
- 5:00 pm
- 6:30 pm (en español)
Sunday 4/13
- 7:00 am
- 8:30 am
- 10:00 am (Live Stream*)
- 11:30 am (en español – transmisión en vivo*)
- 11:30 am (en español en el Centro Ministerial)
- 1:00 pm
- 4:30 pm Teen Mass
Easter Triduum
Holy Thursday | April 17
No Mass at 7:00 am or 12:05 pm
Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Bilingual
- 7:00 pm
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following until Midnight
Good Friday | April 18
No Masses Today
Seven Last Words of Christ—Filipino Community
- 12:00 pm
Stations of the Cross
- 3:00 pm
Good Friday Service
- 7:00 pm
- Veneration of the Cross, Reading of the Passion, Communion
Holy Saturday | April 19
Blessing of the Food Baskets
- 12:00 noon
Vigil Mass and Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
- 8:30 pm* (Bilingual – Live Stream)
Easter Sunday | April 20
Easter Celebration Masses
- 7:00 am
- 8:30 am
- 10:00 am* (Live Stream)
- 10:00 am in the Ministry Center
- 11:30 am* (en español, transmisión en vivo)
- 11:30 am (español en el Centro Ministerial)
- 1:00 pm
Stock the Food Pantry
