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.

• Stations of the Cross: Focus on Ecology
  March 25, 9 am, Mead Gardens Meet members of our peace and justice ministry at Mead Gardens to pray the Stations of the Cross with a focus on care for creation. Wear your walking shoes.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

Rosary 

• Monday–Saturday, 7:40 am (Chapel) 

Additional Opportunities

Almsgiving Project: Center for Independent Living

Ash Wednesday - Easter Sunday
This year’s Lenten Alms Collection will benefit the Center for Independent Living of Central Florida (CIL), Winter Park location. CIL is a nonprofit organization that partners with the community to promote inclusion of people with disabilities by eliminating architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers. Its main office is in Winter Park where they have served over 1,000 individuals with disabilities annually since 1976 by providing education, resources, and training to enhance self-determination through informed choice. Ultimately, CIL’s goal is to break down any barrier someone with a disability might face so they can live an independent life and actively participate in their community. Through CIL’s Step Ahead and Aspire to Hire program they assist both youth and adults with planning for their future, whether that is post-secondary education, vocational training, or employment. They assist job seekers with identifying, magnifying, and leveraging their unique abilities and talent. Donation envelopes can be found on the tables near the church exits and are available in the church office. Envelopes can be placed in the collection basket or returned to the church office, or you can scan the QR code on the envelope and donate electronically.

Safe Haven Sunday: Equipping the Family, Safeguarding Children (Weekend of March 4/5)

The constant flood of influence that comes through the internet and social media in all of its various forms, along with social pressures from peers make it difficult for children to live virtuous and holy lives. In the digital age, it’s not a matter of if your child will see something inappropriate online. It’s only a matter of when. And regrettably, internet pornography is teaching our children how and what to think about sex and marriage. This weekend of awareness will provide free resources to you to give you confidence for how to talk to your children about internet dangers, as well as their personal online and offline choices. To learn more, please contact the Family Life Office at 407-645-0284 or visit stmargaretmary.org/safehaven

Little Black Books

They will be available for distribution beginning Ash Wednesday. 

Pray every day this Lent with Hallow

Visit hallow.com/holyday to activate your free subscription to Hallow, the #1 Catholic prayer and meditation app. Join the Lent ‘#Pray40 Challenge’ for a journey through the life-changing classic - the Imitation of Christ - with the two most incredible portrayals of Jesus in our lifetimes: Jonathan Roumie from the hit-streaming series The Chosen, and Jim Caviezel from highest grossing independent film of all-time, The Passion Of The Christ.

FORMED

Take a healing journey this Lent with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, as she helps you turn away from what wounds you and toward God who heals you and makes you whole. In “Restore” you will be shown how to meet the tenderness of God’s mercy, the power of his love, and the restoration of your heart as you practice prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and sacrifice. Free videos available on Formed.org. An optional companion journal for prayer and meditation is available at AveMariaPress.com.

Get thousands of Catholic movies, programs, audio, and books instantly on demand. To get your free access: Go to smm.formed.org. Then to “Register Now” Create your own free personal account. 

Word on Fire

As a gift to our parishioners, we have made available access to the website 'Word on Fire' which contains quite a lot of content including content from Bishop Robert Barron. We invite you to enjoy thousands of videos, podcasts, blogs, homilies, and study programs. Everyone is encouraged to sign up for this exciting opportunity to grow in your faith. Go to: stmargaretmary.org/sign-up to join. 

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 Vespers for Couples

Saturday, March 25, 6:30-8:30 pm in the Family Life Center. Prayer and dinner for married couples. Babysitting provided for children ages 10 and under with RSVP. Suggested donation per couple $10. RSVP on website.

Lenten Program of Hope and Healing for those affected by Divorce 

Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm beginning February 23 (St. Margaret Mary Room) Surviving Divorce is a nationally acclaimed 12- week program for the newly separated and divorced AND those still struggling with issues many years later. Program goals are to accompany people on their journey using weekly video, personal reflection, journaling and small group sharing. Session topics include shock and grief, anger and forgiveness, money issues, dealing with children and a former spouse, and annulment and remarriage. Cost: $10. Please complete registration on the website at: stmargaretmary.org/divorce-support-group

Healing Service

Tuesday, April 4 at 7:30 pm in the Church Join us for a powerful healing service brought to us by the Religious Brothers and students of UCF. A night of healing, music and prayer.

Journeying Together

March 9 (Antioch Room) & March 30, 7-8:15 pm (Parish Hall) Join together with other parishioners as we practice listening more deeply to one another and to the Holy Spirit by participating in listening sessions focusing on themes from the U.S. National Synthesis for the Synod. We will talk about A Church Seeking Healing on March 9 and A Church Desiring Deeper Faith on March 30.

Lenten Small Groups for Moms

Mondays, 7-8 pm beginning Monday, Feb. 20 thru Monday, April 10 Using the Blessed is She "New Wine" Lenten study from the week of Ash Wednesday thru after Easter. All are welcome! Text Sarah for more info at 321-439-3960.

Lenten Film Series

Mondays at 6:30 pm: Feb 27, March 6 and March 27 (Parish Hall) Join our Peace & Justice Ministry select Mondays in Lent for film screenings that invite us to deeper consideration of the dignity of all life and how being a Eucharistic people calls us to journey together, becoming attentive to inclusivity and the meaningful participation of all.

Please pray for those who are preparing for Baptism and full initiation into the Catholic faith at Easter:

Daniel Bohannon, Jacamo Caruso, Mike Doan, Alex Roustai, Beckham Veigle, and Elleren Veigle.

Regulations for Fast and Abstinence

Ash Wednesday, February 22 and Good Friday, April 7, 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.