March begins with the celebration of Mardi Gras as the Sacred Heart Parish family ends the “Carnival Season” and gets ready for Lent, the time set aside for fasting, prayer and good works. Ash Wednesday is March 5. Ashes will be distributed during the Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Ashes will also be available from noon until 4:00 p.m. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are asked to not eat meat and also fast in between meals as a small sacrifice as we begin this holy season. We also abstain from meat on all the Fridays in Lent as well.
Some might want to join us for daily Mass in addition to the weekend obligation. Our Masses are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 a.m.. They are also streaming live on our parish Facebook page, YouTube and on our website. Another popular devotion in Lent is praying the Stations of the Cross. We invite you to join us on Friday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m.. We will also have additional opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation Mondays from 6-7:00 p.m. as well as Saturday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. If that is not convenient, please call the office at 860-668-4246 to schedule an appointment.
With the changing of the clocks comes the changing of our scheduled Monday afternoon Holy Hour. Currently, 3-4:00 p.m. we will move to 6-7:00 p.m.
Fasting, prayer and good works. There are several opportunities during Lent for the good works to benefit our neighbors and friends in need. Our Knights of Columbus will be taking up a special collection to support the good works of Suffield Samaritans as they continue to assist families in need in Tennessee still suffering from the hurricane this past summer. The collection will be taken up at all the Masses, the weekend of the March 22 and 23. The following weekend they will host a pancake breakfast after the 8 and 9:30 Masses. A free will offering will be taken up at the breakfast which will also benefit Suffield Samaritans.
All this and plenty more as we journey from Lent to Easter! Please join us if you are able!