Journeying Through Lent!

Lent: A 40-Day Sojourn
into the Soul

The season of Lent is a 40-Day sojourn into one’s soul, where we are afforded with an opportunity to deepen and explore our faith relationship with God while contemplating the mysteries of Christ his Son. In our desire to assist you in your efforts on this journey, St. Richard Parish is offering several spiritual activities throughout the Lenten Season. For a complete schedule of our parish Lenten activities, services, and Liturgies, please click here for a brochure in PDF format. Enjoy!

Gathered at the Table ~
An Exploration Into the History of the Mass

A Lenten Adult Faith Formation Series

Ever wonder how a simple Passover meal shared between Jesus and his Apostles developed into what we know and experience as the Mass today? How did churches come to look the way they do today? Why are some so very different from “traditional” churches? Ever wonder what your role in Mass is or how to get the most from your experience of Eucharist? Why do we do and say what we do during Mass? This mini lecture series will explore the answers to these and many more questions? Gathered at the Table will take participants on an in depth journey into the history of the Mass, and how it is designed to foster and enhance our worship experience. Our journey will include an exploration of the Liturgy’s Jewish roots, the Liturgy’s development throughout the centuries, an in depth and insightful look into the Liturgy of the Mass including its prayers, acclamations, and our role so that we may approach the sacrament more enthusiastically and realize just how important our role at Mass is. Participants will come away from the seminar with a fuller understanding of the historical development of the Mass and why certain changes have taken place since Vatican II. More importantly, participants will have an opportunity to deepen their appreciation of and love for the Mass. For details on what each week of the seminar will cover click here.

Thursdays, beginning February 18 through March 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the school hall (No session will be held on March 18). Refreshments provided. No advanced registration is necessary, but if you would like more information, please contact Dennis M. Mueller at 215-468-4777 or dmueller@strichardchurch.org.

The Little Black Book

The Little Black Book (similar in design to The Little Blue Book distributed for Advent) will be made available after all of the weekend Masses on February 13 & 14. This seasonal favorite provides readers with a daily six-minute retreat each day of the Lenten Season. We invite you to use this free resource to spend a little time with God each and every day during the Lenten Season.

Stations of the Cross

Our parish will celebrate the Stations of the Cross on Mondays during Lent at 1:00 PM (beginning February 22) with the school children. Stations will also be celebrated Friday evenings during Lent at 7:00 PM (beginning February 19). Please Note: There will be no Stations celebrated on Friday evening, April 2.

St. Richard's school children will perform the Living Stations on Wednesday, March 31, at 10:00 AM in Church. This wonderful and prayer-filled devotion will be repeated on Good Friday, April 2, at 7:00 PM. Our school children put on a spectacular performance that will be sure to give participant's a moving experience of Christ's Passion.

Scriptural Reflections on the Sunday Readings

St. Richard Parish offers weekly online reflections on the Sunday Scripture Readings throughout the year. These reflections feature commentary, links to the Sunday Readings, and reflections questions for personal use or group discussion. This wonderful resource is available here.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Come home this Lent! We are offering several opportunities to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lenten season. In addition to our weekly offerings before weekend Masses and Saturdays from 4:00 - 5:00 PM, we will celebrate a Lenten Penance Service on Tuesday, March 30 at 7 PM. There will be a number of compassionate priests on hand to hear confessions and administer the sacrament. Confessions will also be heard on Saturday, April 3, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

Did you know? All Catholics are bound by the precepts of the Church to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year unless they find themsevles in a state of mortal sin, in which case they should seek the reception of the sacrament as soon as possible.

Breaking Open God's Word a Weekly Bible Study Focusing on the Sunday Scripture Readings

Ever have questions about the readings you hear proclaimed at Mass on Sunday? Ever wonder how the readings are relevant to your life or what meaning you should take away from them? Do you have a desire to learn more about Sacred Scripture? Are you seeking a way to deepen your relationship with God? If you answered, “yes,” to any of these questions, consider participating in Breaking Open God’s Word – a weekly Scripture study that focuses on the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Each week we will gather to hear the Sunday readings proclaimed followed by facilitated discussion and sharing on the history and context of the readings, the meaning they have for our lives today, and their implications for our relationship with God. The benefits of participating are...

• an increased knowledge and understanding of Sacred Scripture
• a deepening of your relationship with God
• a great way to spiritually prepare for Sunday Mass
• the chance to grow in your faith by sharing it with others

Breaking Open God’s Word takes place on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the rectory. Come regularly or whenever your schedule allows. There is no fee or cost to participate. Contact Dennis M. Mueller at 215-468-4777 or via e-mail dmueller@strichardchurch.org for more information.

Free Lenten Resources

Free online resources are being provided courtesy of Loyola Press. These resources include The Seven Last Words Devotion, a Multimedia Stations of the Cross for Children, as well as various articles and activities. Logon to http://www.loyolapress.com/liturgical-year-lent.htm to select the resources you desire.