Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday: March 5, 2025. We invite you to start your season of Lent with us at St. James the Apostle Parish. Our Ash Wednesday schedule is as follows:

Masses with Imposition of Ashes after the homily will be offered at: 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. Please stay after the imposition of ashes to receive the Eucharist and receive the Final Blessing at the end of Mass.

Imposition of Ashes will be offered in the narthex of our church at the following times: 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. and 5:00 – 6:30 P.M. Please enter through Door 11 or 12 into the narthex where ministers will be located to give you the imposition of ashes.

Fasting and Abstinence During Lent:

1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed.

4. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.

5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. All of the faithful are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer and a performance of works of charity and mercy.

6. As always, the obligation for fasting and abstinence from meat does not apply to those medically dispensed, for example for the pregnant, diabetic, or elderly.