Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020

“For you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

Source: USCCB.org “Genesis, chapter 3:19”

 

 

 

For Parents to Teach to Their Children

“We go to Confession to be reconciled to God.”

Have your children, preparing for First Holy Communion, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, yet? The children in my religious education class made their first confession in December. They can now participate in receiving the Sacrament. The excellent weekly liturgical guide and activities book for children ages 7 to 12, MagnifiKid!, is a wonderful resource for families. This week, “MagnifiKid suggests that you reflect upon the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday of Lent.” 

If your children have not yet made a First Confession, bring them along with you to be present, and to have them see you participate, and enter the Confessional. We all learn by watching others. When their time comes for their First Reconciliation, they will be more comfortable and ready to participate. 

 

Our Readings

Gospel–USCCB.org “Matthew, chapter 6:5-31”

“Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

‘When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

‘When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.’”

“The Blessing and Distribution of Ashes”

Source: JesuitInstitute.org

“After the homily, the priest, standing with hands joined, says: ‘Dear brethren (brothers and sisters), let us humbly ask God our Father that he be pleased to bless, with the abundance of grace, these ashes, which we will put on our heads in penitence.’ After a brief prayer in silence and with hands extended, he says: 4 ‘O God, who are moved by acts of humility and respond with forgiveness to works of penance, lend your merciful ear to our prayers and, in your kindness, pour out the grace of your + blessing on your servants who are marked with these ashes, that, as they follow the Lenten observances, they may be worthy to come with minds made pure to celebrate the Paschal mystery of your son. Through Christ our Lord.’ Amen.”

“Or, ‘O God, who desire not the death of sinners, but their conversion, mercifully hear our prayers and, in your kindness, be pleased to bless + these ashes, that we, who acknowledge we are but ashes and shall return to dust, may, through a steadfast observance of Lent, gain pardon for sins and newness of life after the likeness of your Risen Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.'”

“He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. Then the priest places ashes on the head of all those present who come to him and says to each one: ‘Repent and believe in the gospel.’ or ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.'”

“A song is sung during the distribution of ashes. After the distribution of ashes, the priest washes his hands and proceeds to the Universal Prayer (Bidding Prayers), and continues with Mass in the usual way. The creed is not said.”

For Children, An Excerpt from MagnifiKid!, February 26, 2020, Vol. 17. Part 3. Section 6. Page 3 By Lisa Reno

“Today is a special Wednesday. All around the world, the Church starts to prepare for the great feast of Easter. This time of preparation is called Lent, and it lasts forty days. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us what we must do to prepare ourselves: he invites us to give to the poor, to pray, and to fast. Most of all, he invites us to do this without wanting something in return. He wants us to live Lent in such a way that we become better people and grow closer to God.”

“Make good resolutions”

“It is the first day of Lent. What have you decided to do as you begin the path toward Easter? What do you want to share? What bad habits will you change so that you can listen better and pray better? What will you give up in order to make extra room for God in your life? Write it down.”

 

 

Our Lenten Song and Video–“The Glory of These Forty Days”

 

 

Week Twenty-One–Suggested Homework Activities

Use the Lenten worksheet to plan activities your child, and family,  can do over Lent.