LENT 2023
This Lent, St. Patrick invites you to walk with intention, focus, and vision during these 40 days of preparation. To help with this, we are offering many opportunities to discern together Jesus' call to follow Him. All are welcome! Bring a friend!
Days of Fasting
Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2023) and Good Friday (April 7, 2023)
On these two days, fast, as well as abstinence, is obligatory for those between the ages of 18-59. Abstinence means refraining from meat. Fast means one full meal a day, with two smaller meals and nothing between meals (liquids are permitted).
Days of Abstinence
Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2023), Good Friday (April 7, 2023), and all Fridays in Lent (February 24, March 3, 10, 17*, 24, 31, April 7). Abstinence from meat for all Catholics 14 years of age and older. If there is a serious health problem, this obligation would not apply.
St. Patrick's Day
*The Feast of Saint Patrick on March 17 falls on a Friday during Lent this year. Feasts of the Church are meant to be a day of celebration and rejoicing! Therefore, on Friday, March 17, 2023, the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis are dispensed from abstaining from meat should they choose to celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick. However, we should strive to make all days of Lent a time of prayer and penance.
MASS SCHEDULE
Ash Wednesday, February 22
6:30 AM, *8:00 AM, 9:30 AM
5:00 PM, and 7:00 PM (Bilingual Mass)
Join us in-person and online
*8 AM Mass will be livestreamed
OUR PARISH MISSION
Ignite Your Faith
Sun-Tue, February 26-28 | 6:30 PM
We invite you to join us on February 26-28, 2023 for St. Patrick’s Parish Mission “Ignite Your Faith” with Fr. Ron Hoye. You may have heard of Fr. Hoye through The God Minute, an online prayer community, including a small group of Catholic priests, nuns, and laypeople who start their day in prayer. Fr. Hoye blends humor, story, and spiritual reflection in a 50-minute presentation that will take place in the church starting at 6:30 PM. This mission is for everyone; all ages, all stages! Those brand new in their Catholic faith and those that have been Catholic all their life. We look forward to seeing you!
You can read more about Fr. Hoye and the Vincentian Parish Missions at parishmissions.org.
Parish Mission Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of our parish mission. Thank you so much for giving me the time to reflect and deepen my relationship with you and to deepen my awareness and love of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. I ask you, Father, to help me go deeper in my knowledge of the Catholic faith. Help me to know your love and mercy. Please give me the ability to surrender to the plan you have for me during this mission and for my life. Help me to put away any distractions that would take me away from your loving presence. I give you permission, Lord, to renew and change me. I give you permission to renew me in the Holy Spirit. Jesus, I love you and want to be your disciple. I ask this all through Jesus' most holy name. Amen.
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
Lenten Reconciliation (Confession)
During Lent, Fr. Brian, Fr. Gerson, and/or Fr. Skillman will be present to hear confessions on:
- Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5 from 7:00-7:30 AM
- Thursdays, February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 at 5:00 PM (two priests available)
- Thursday, March 30 at 6:00 PM (in addition to Fr. Brian, Fr. Gerson, and Fr. Skillman, other priests will be present to hear confessions that evening)
- Saturdays, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 from 4:00-4:45 PM
Confession is an excellent way to prepare our hearts for the passion, death, and Resurrection of our Lord. All are encouraged to come and experience the healing mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
No confessions on Holy Thursday (Apr 6) or Holy Saturday (Apr 8).
Forgiven
You're invited to an at-home, self-guided program, Forgiven, as it communicates God’s invitation to each one of us to come experience his indescribable love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Whether you haven’t been to Confession in a long while or you go regularly, you don’t want to miss this series. Go to formed.org and search for Forgiven and then CLICK HERE to download the at-home study guide.
LENTEN GROUP STUDIES
Join us for a Lenten group study!
Mysteries of the Rosary
Co-ed Bible Study Group
Tuesdays, Feb 28 - Apr 11
8:30 - 10 AM, Rectory Mtg Rm
A 7-episode series highlighting the Sorrowful Mysteries in the life of Christ as outlined in the decades of the Rosary. There is no book to buy and no homework. This series is from The Wild Goose Ministry.
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
Soul Sisters Women’s Group
Wednesdays, Mar 1 - 29
6 - 7 PM, Social Hall
Soul Sisters invites women to join together for this 5-part series that explores the extraordinary biblical roots of the Liturgy and reveals what it all means and why it all matters. There is no book to buy and no homework. This series is from Ascension Press.
Have you ever thought about hosting a small group study? If so, we can help! We have many resources available. Contact the parish office or email [email protected].
PRAYER & REFLECTION
The Rosary
Sunday, March 5: 8:30 & 10:30 AM
Sunday, April 2: 8:30 & 10:30 AM
Tuesdays: 7:40 AM, Church
Wednesdays, March 1 & April 5: 3:45 PM, Church
Thursdays: 11 AM, Chapel (no rosary Holy Thursday)
Saturdays: 7:40 AM, Church
Stations of the Cross
Fridays, February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: 7:00 PM, Church
Good Friday, April 7: 12:00 PM, Church
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations can be a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Adoration is held Monday through Friday, 7 AM until 8 PM in the chapel. Code 9876.
Holy Thursday, April 6: Adoration will take place in the social hall after the 7 PM Mass until midnight
There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel during the Easter Triduum, Thur, April 6 through Sun, April 9. Exposition will return Monday, April 10 at 7 AM in the chapel.
Palm Sunday Vigil, Sat, April 1
5:00 PM - Vigil Mass
Palm Sunday, April 2
7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM (Spanish), 5:00 PM Mass
Wednesday, April 5
7:30 - 8 AM - Reconciliation
Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper, April 6
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer
7:00 PM - Mass followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
* No 6:30 AM or 8:00 AM Mass; No reconciliation
You are invited to follow the procession to the social hall to continue Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight, just as the disciples were invited to stay up with the Lord during His agony in the garden before His betrayal by Judas. Please keep a reverent atmosphere of silence as you leave, including in the gathering space.
Good Friday - The Lord's Passion, April 7
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer
12:00 PM - Stations of the Cross
7:00 PM - Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
* No 6:30 AM or 8:00 AM Mass
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil, April 8
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer
10:00 AM-12:00 PM - Easter Chalk Drawing & Egg Hunt
8:00 PM - Easter Vigil Mass
* No 8:00 AM Mass; No reconciliation; Must pre-register for the Egg Hunt
The Easter Vigil is the greatest liturgy of the entire year in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. The Roman Missal guides the celebration of this great night and even refers to the Easter Vigil as the “mother of all vigils” which is quoting St. Augustine from the 5th Century. So, the Easter Vigil has real history. To learn more, click here.
Easter Sunday, April 9
7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM (Spanish) Mass
*No 5 PM Mass
Holy Week & Easter Servers Needed. CLICK HERE to volunteer. Thank you in advance for serving at St. Patrick Parish.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass. Servers, if you have questions or would like to schedule directly with Fr. Skillman, contact him at [email protected] or 636-332-9225 ext. 223.
Lectors, Ushers, and Greeters: You may sign up for your roles through our online Ministry Scheduler. If you have questions or would like to schedule directly with Marie, contact her at [email protected] or 636-262-2319.
Read a message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2023
DEEPEN YOUR FAITH
Little Black Book
Six-minute meditations on the Gospels. Books are located in the gathering area.
Lent Collection of Resources
To help you and your families celebrate Lent well this year, Catholic Formation has put together an amazing list of over 50 Lenten resources and even categorized them for an easy search. Visit https://formationreimagined.org/lenten-resources/.
Online Advent Reflections
FORMED - Receive a daily reminder to dive into the depths of God’s Word. You may also opt-in to receive children’s reflections to include the whole family. Sign up at formed.org
HALLOW - Let Hallow guide you through the most meaningful Lent you’ve ever experienced. Visit hallow.com
DYNAMIC CATHOLIC - A free daily video program, sent straight to your email, that will help you prepare for Easter like never before! Sign up at dynamiccatholic.com/lent
WORD ON FIRE - Spend your time with Christ in the Gospel this Lent alongside Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire community at wordonfire.org/calendar/lent/
REAL LIFE CATHOLIC - A 7-week video series will accompany you on your Lenten journey. Sign up at reallifecatholic.com
OSV - Reflect, pray, and live this Lenten season with My Daily Visitor at mydailyvisitor.com
GET INVOLVED
Family Activity for Lent: Rice Bowl
Take a box provided in the gathering area of the church and give your loose change to Catholic Relief Services to help others around the world. This change also assists with local hunger and poverty. Inside are activities to complete as a family this Lent. Turn in your Rice Bowl the week of Holy Week.
40 Cans for Lent Food Drive
February 22-April 7, 2023
Please donate one can of food for each day of Lent as a reminder of the penance we should be doing as we prepare for the Lord’s passion. We are accepting your generous donation of canned meat, soup, vegetables, and fruit, as well as other non-perishable food items such as cereal, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, rice, & beans. Your donations will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Thank you so much for your generosity! You can drop your donation in the gathering area of the church or the parish office.
40 Cans for Lent Food Drive-Thru Food Drive
Sat, April 1 | St. Patrick School Parking Lot
Stop, Pop, & Go! The Knights are hosting a drive-thru food drive on Sat, April 1 from 10 AM to 1 PM at St. Patrick Church. Have your trunk or back doors unlocked/open (similar to Shredding event) and the Knights will remove your donations from your vehicle. Any non-perishable items that aren’t severely damaged, expired, or used can be donated. Produce can be donated, but not refrigerated or frozen foods. Non-food items can also be donated, including money or checks (made payable to St. Vincent de Paul). All donations will go to SVDP.
Blood Drive
Tue, April 4 | 3:00-7:00 PM | St. Patrick Social Hall
Appointments are required. Sorry, no walk-ins. You can schedule the same day if appointments are available.
To schedule an appointment, call the Blood Center at 866-448-3253 or schedule online. Use sponsor code 10741. If you can't attend our drive, find a location near you.
www.stpatrickwentzville.org/donateblood. All presenting donors will receive a gift! Limit 1 per donor If 20 or more units are collected, St. Patrick School will receive a $250 Grant with an additional $1 for every unit of blood donated!
Spring Church Cleaning
Wed, April 5 | After 8 AM Mass
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO HELP! “Many hands make light the task.”
Your cleaning talents are needed and appreciated. Bring a friend to help! No need to call, just come. For questions, call Frann Kintz, 636-332-2747.
EVENTS
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry
Every Friday: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Fried catfish, fried cod, fried and baked whitefish, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw, homemade chips, hush puppies, potato salad, bread, and ice cream. Soda, tea, water, or coffee. Beer and wine available for purchase.
Adults (12+): $17.00
Seniors (60+): $16.00
Children (5-11): $6.00
Carry Outs (3 pc fish): $15.00
www.stpatrickwentzville.org/fish
Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner
March 11 | Set Up and Prep | 7 AM-2 PM
March 12 | Parish Social Hall | 12-5 PM
March 12 | School Cafeteria | 12-6 PM
*No 5 PM Mass, Sunday, March 13
Meal includes corned beef, ham, parsley potatoes, carrots, cabbage, corn, applesauce, cornbread, horseradish, and homemade dessert. This authentic, kettle-cooked meat dinner is $TBD for adults (13+) and $TBD for children (4-12). Carry-out dinners are available in the St. Patrick school cafeteria from 12 - 6 PM for $TBD. For volunteer opportunities and dessert donations, visit our website.
www.stpatrickwentzville.org/cornedbeef
Corned Beef & Cabbage Quilt & Afghan Raffle
Tickets on sale after all Masses starting February 25.
$1 per ticket • $5 for 6 tickets
Winner to be drawn at the CBC Dinner on March 12. First prize is a quilt (approx size 89x89"), second prize is an afghan. Tickets may also be purchased in the parish office.
Easter Chalk Drawing & Egg Hunt
Sat, April 8 | 10:00 AM | Church
This is an annual event sponsored by the Home and School Association. Families join together on Holy Saturday to decorate all the sidewalks leading into St. Patrick Church. It is a wonderful way for our parishioners to be greeted on Easter morning with drawings from our children. So bring your chalk, and your creativity, and join us! You do not have to sign up to draw on the sidewalks. In case of rain, we will not draw and the Egg Hunt will be held in the school gym.
There is also an egg hunt for children, divided up by grade levels between preschool and eighth. PARTICIPANTS MUST PRE-REGISTER.
For questions or to volunteer, contact Home & School at [email protected].
RAIN OR SHINE! The rain location is St. Patrick Parish Center Gym.
Note: We DO NOT need plastic Easter eggs for our annual egg hunt at St. Patrick Parish this year. Thank you.
Easter Flower Altar Dedications
Each year, St. Patrick church decorators bless us with glorious, beautiful flower arrangements of colorful spring flowers with pungent floral scent throughout the worship space as we praise God that Jesus is Risen.
If you wish to dedicate flowers for Easter (in honor of, in memory of, or in thanksgiving of), please fill out an Easter flower envelope, put the money in the envelope, and place it in the offering plate now through Palm Sunday. Please write legibly so we can list the names in the bulletin.
DID YOU KNOW?
Blessed Palms
After Palm Sunday Mass you will likely come home with some palm branches and may ask yourself, “what do I do with these?” Or, as we approach Palm Sunday, you have dried-out palms from last year tucked behind a crucifix or other religious picture that you are not sure what to do with.
Whatever you do, don’t throw them away!
According to the Code of Canon Law, blessed items are to be treated with respect and reverence and not discarded in the trash. At Mass these palm branches were blessed by a priest and became a “sacramental,” which is an object that is meant to draw us closer to God. These sacred signs bear a resemblance to the sacraments (cf. #1171). Throwing them in the trash overlooks their sacred purpose and treats them like any other object we no longer need.
So, if you can’t throw them away, what should you do with them?
Decorate
Many of the faithful have used palm branches to decorate their homes. You could tuck them behind a religious picture or crucifix or get a little more creative or crafty and make a palm rose or cross. Search the Internet for ideas and instructions or search the related links below.
When we use the palms as decoration in the house, it serves as a constant reminder of Palm Sunday and is a beautiful way to stay connected to Holy Week throughout the year.
Burn, Bury, or Bin
We live in a society where most things are disposable. However, sacramentals, such as palm branches, should be treated with special reverence. Therefore, the normal “rule of thumb” is that anything that has been blessed should be burned (and then the ashes buried) or simply buried.
This type of disposal honors their sacred purpose and returns them to the earth in a dignified way. Anyone can do this, but if you don’t have the ability to burn or bury them, simply drop off your palm branches in the bin in the gathering area at church or at the parish office.
Related Links
Disposal of Religious Items | Catholic Herald
Blessed Palms in the Home | catholicculture.org
10 Things to do with Palms from Palm Sunday | catholicicing.com
Feast Days during Lent
What is the hierarchy when a feast day occurs on a Friday during Lent?
The laws of the Catholic Church provide for the occurrence of Feast Days during Fridays in Lent. Canon 1251 from the 1983 Code of Canon Law addresses this situation:
Canon 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
When a solemnity falls on a Friday in Lent, the celebration of the Solemnity takes precedence over the requirement of fasting from meat or some other food. Because this is a Solemnity, when this feast falls during the Lenten season, our Lenten penance obligations are lifted. It is right to celebrate with a special food or dinner.
In other words, celebration of the solemnity overrides the Lenten requirement.
The Feast of the Annunciation celebrates God’s entrance into the human world through Jesus and Mary’s willingness to accept God’s command. The story of the Annunciation has also produced three important liturgical texts: the Ave Maria, the Angelus, and the Magnificat.