Lenten Opportunities

Lenten Opportunities

Mass, Prayer, & Devotion

Holy Week Schedule: https://stmargaretmary.org/holy-week-schedule/

Daily Mass Schedule

• 8:00 am Monday thru Saturday
• 5:30pm Monday, thru Friday

Sacrament of Penance

Lenten Stations of the Cross

• Stations of the Cross Friday nights at 7 pm (Church)
  All ages are invited as we follow Jesus along the Way of the Cross and pray to open our hearts to his gifts of reconciliation, redemption, and new life.
• Living Stations of the Cross Wednesday, April 16, 9:15 am
• Ecological Stations of the Cross Saturday, April 12, 9 am at Mead Gardens

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

• First Friday, March 7 and April 4 - 8:30 am– Saturday 9 am
  Come spend some precious quiet time with our Lord in the Chapel and feel free to bring a friend. If you have questions or if you are interested in participating in this prayer opportunity, please register at stmargaretmary.wufoo.com/forms/first-friday-exposition/

Rosary 

• Monday–Saturday, 7:40 am (Chapel) 

Additional Opportunities

Almsgiving Project: Saturday, March 8 thru Palm Sunday (April 13)

Morning Star Catholic School, founded in Catholic tradition, is committed to providing each student with special needs the opportunity to discover their gifts and achieve their personal best as children of God. We are the only school for special needs within the Diocese of Orlando and serve students with intellectual disabilities in grades K-12. It is our goal to ensure each student can reach his or her potential and become an integral part of their community.

Donation envelopes can be found on the tables near the church exits and will be available in the church office starting March 8. Envelopes can be placed in the collection basket or returned to the church office, or you can go here:

Lazarus Ministry Spring Clean Event Tote Distribution to parishioners for donations March 29-30 (Courtyard) Return of filled totes any time by April 6 (Parish Hall) Distribution April 10 (Lee Road Hotels) The ministry is asking parishioners to donate personal hygiene and cleaning supplies for the families living in hotels on Lee Road. For a list of items, to sign up to volunteer, and to see other details please visit the Lazarus Ministry Page on the SMM website.

Lenten Reflection Books written with a special focus on the Jubilee Year of Hope will be available after all Masses on March 1/2 and on Ash Wednesday.

Prepare your heart and mind for the desert of Lent with two new series on FORMED.org. Begin with How to Lent, a new four-part video series where you’ll learn from priests, religious, and theologians about the true meaning of Lent; why we are called to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving; how to prepare well; and what makes a fruitful Lent.

Continue your journey with Foretold, a video series that explores stories from both the Old and New Testaments, showing that Jesus has always been our fulfillment and that God’s providence is eternal and ongoing, even in our modern-day lives. To access these and many other wonderful resources, activate your free account on FORMED.org by visiting smm.formed.org and follow the instructions.

Pray with millions around the world along with Mark Wahlberg, Jonathan Roumie, Sr. Miriam, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Chris Pratt, and more on Hallow, the #1 prayer app in the world. Visit Hallow.com to sign up for the Pray 40: The Way Lenten Challenge.

Enhance your Lenten journey with books from the Parish Library To help make the 40 days of Lent an enriching experience, consider checking out a book from our parish library. We have 82 varieties of the bible and nearly 100 books on prayer. Perhaps you would like to focus on learning more about the saints or how to find peace in your days by understanding fasting, reconciliation, charity, and family life. For a suggested reading list for Lent, visit the Parish Library section at stmargaretmary.org/ministries/faith-formation-for-adults.

Grow in relationship with God and spiritual practices through a new weekly series Encountering the Season: Lent for the Family. The series helps families to reflect on the readings and offers activities for them to engage with the season of Lent in both prayerful and fun ways. Look for the first issue in the bulletin and parish email on the first Sunday of Lent. The remainder of the series will be available in our “Tuesday Weekly Study” email. To sign up for the “Tuesday Weekly Study”, visit stmargaretmary.org/sign-up

Lent Observance for Children

Faith Formation for Children wants to walk with you on your Lenten journey! On the church website at stmargaretmary.org/lent-activities-for-children-and-families we will be posting family ideas and activities centering on the following themes: “Lenten Calendar”, “Family Activities”, “Stations of the Cross” and “Holy Week”. Games, crafts and more will keep your family thinking about the true meaning of Lent.

Lenten Program of Hope and Healing for those affected by Divorce Mondays starting March 10, 6:30-8:30 pm Surviving Divorce is a nationally acclaimed program that accompanies people on their journey using weekly video, personal reflection, journaling and small group sharing. For the newly separated and divorced AND those still struggling with issues many years later. Cost: $10. Includes a Personal Workbook and snacks. Please complete the registration online at: stmargaretmary.org/divorce-support-group

Lenten Film Series

• Thursday March 27 6:30 pm (Cana) Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story: Learn about the life and legacy of 20th century theologian Howard Thurman. Born & raised in Florida the grandson of slaves, Thurman’s work contributed a spiritual foundation for the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders.

• Thursday April 3 6:30 pm (Cana) Building a Bridge Follow Fr. James Martin on his journey inviting parishes to grow more welcoming to LGBTQ+ community members, challenging Catholics to seek to develop greater understanding of one another by building a community marked by love and mercy.

Lent 2025: Take Heart Ignatian Solidarity Network Daily Email Reflections & Podcast Series Reflections from the Ignatian Solidarity Network offer guidance as we seek to allow our hearts to be made tender to bring mercy into our broken world. Sign up at ignatiansolidarity.net/lent-2025.

Interfaith Dinner Register by March 2; Dinner is on Sunday March 9, 7 pm (Parish Hall) Lent and Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, overlap in March this year. Sharing a Turkish meal with Muslim brothers and sisters, we will build community as we learn about one another.

Adore Night of Eucharistic Adoration and Healing Tuesday, April 1 from 7:30—9 pm

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Regulations for Fast and Abstinence

Ash Wednesday, March 5 and Good Friday, April 18, are days of fast and abstinence. Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence.

Fasting is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day one full meal is allowed. Two other 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, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.

Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted.

Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.