Lent
Lent has been said by many to be the most spiritually profitable time of the year. By the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we are made more like Christ as we imitate His forty days in the desert, and as we prepare for the Sacred Triduum and Easter. A season of prayer and penance, we purify ourselves by moving away from sin and seeking forgiveness. As a Parish, here are some of the things we are doing, and the spiritual practices we observe, to live this holy season faithfully.

Ash Wednesday

The Ash Wednesday Mass will be held at 9:30 am and 7 pm at St. Stephen's Parish, and at 5 pm at Maria Regina Parish. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are both days of Fasting and abstinence from meat.

Fasting

Fasting applies to anyone over 18, and under 60. Certainly, medical reasons such as diabetes, illness, and pregnancy, release one from the requirement to fast. Fasting is held to be having only one main meal, and two small snacks throughout the day. For many, fasting also means giving something up throughout Lent – some give up Facebook, others give up smoking or drinking, and others give up chocolate or some other favorite treat. This is an excellent practice for families to do with children.

Abstaining

From the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: This form of penance needs to be seen as a near cousin of fasting. We may give up meat or other desirable foods one or two days a week during Lent, especially on Friday, the day of Christ’s saving death on the cross. Our abstinence is another way of sharing in Christ’s work of saving the world. Throughout the year, every Friday is a day of abstinence from meat, obliging all Catholics who are 14 years or older, [and who are in good health.] We may also substitute other good actions for abstinence from meat. These could include special acts of charity (visiting the sick or aged, helping those in any need, contributing time or money to a work of charity) or other acts of piety (taking part in a service of worship with others, praying with our family, spending some extra time in personal prayer, especially with God’s holy word in the scriptures). Fish is of course the traditional substitute for meat, and eggs are certainly allowed.

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Every day, the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 3 pm in the church at St. Stephen's. This short prayer is offered at the hour of Christ's Death on the Crucifix. This is a remarkably powerful spiritual practice.

Rosary

The Rosary will be prayed half an hour before Saturday and Sunday Masses, honoring the Mother of our Lord. While everyone is free to pray for their own intentions, the Parish's intentions for these twelve Rosaries are: Sick of the Parish; Persecuted Christians; Success of the Parish Lent Mission; Deceased Members of our Community; Deceased Priests of the Diocese; Victims of Abuse; Spiritual Renewal of our Parish; Youth of our Parish; Holy Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life; For our Material Spiritual Benefactors; In Reparation for Sin; Mary's Intercession for our Diocese; We hope that you will join your community in prayer.

Stations of the Cross

Every Friday at 7 pm St. Stephen's will be praying the Stations of the Cross. A different format will be used weekly. Every Friday at 6:30 pm Maria Regina Parish will be praying the Stations of the Cross. This will be followed immediately by Mass. This replaces the Thursday afternoon Mass.



Parking
You are reminded of the NO PARKING areas in front of the church as per FIRE ZONE REGULATIONS. There are BLUE ACCESSIBILITY PARKING spaces available near the Church entrance.

Collection baskets
Collection baskets are returning starting February 1st, 2025. Baskets for the Offertory collection will again be used at Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. The boxes at the Church entrance will be removed. Volunteers to pick up the collection are needed; please contact Debbie Wilton at 709-649-1958 if interested.

St. Anne’s Guild
St. Anne’s Guild will meet on Monday, January 20th, at 2:00 pm downstairs in the St. Anne’s Meeting Room. New members are welcome.

2025 Calendars
2025 Calendars can be purchased at the Parish Office.

Grief to Grace
We have been requested to announce a Five-day “Grief to Grace” program to be conducted in Kelowna, BC, from May 20th to 25th. For more information please email grieftogracekelowna@gmail.com or make a confidential call to 250-808-6403. This information will be posted on the bulletin board at the Church entrance.