Lent - Week 1

by Fr. Don Kline, V.F.  |  02/15/2026  |  Letter from the Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. On Ash Wednesday, St. Bernadette parish will offer a 6:30am Mass, 8:30am Mass, a 12:00pm Liturgy of the Word and 5:00pm Mass. Everyone who comes to Mass, or the noonday Liturgy of the Word will receive ashes on their foreheads. The ashes are a reminder that each one of us came from dust and will return to dust one day. The ashes on our foreheads are in the shape of a cross. Wearing this sign on our foreheads proclaims to others "I live for Christ".

For those who would like to grow in their relationship with Our Lord, Lent is a time to offer personal sacrifices by giving something up like a favorite food, doing greater works of charity, and praying more intently. "Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God." (Joel 2:12)

The 40 days of Lent are how Catholics prepare for Easter. We begin the period of grace with the imposition of ashes on our foreheads and the words expressed in the Liturgy, which is one of two formulas: "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" or "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return". Through repentance and our faithfulness to the Gospel, conversion and spiritual growth strengthens our relationship with Our Lord.

During Lent, the Church asks us to consider fasting, almsgiving, and prayers. The regulations on Lenten Fasting and Abstinence are:

• Fasting: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Those who are 18 years of age but not yet 59 are allowed only one full meal on those two days. Two smaller meals are allowed as needed, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.
• Abstinence From Meat: Those who are 14 years of age or older are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and All Fridays of Lent.

Lent is set apart as a season that gives us 40 days to focus on our prayer. This time of prayer is meant to bring us closer to Christ in ways that will change our hearts and move use closer to Christ.

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline