Author: Fr. Mahoney (Page 2 of 81)
“Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal, Pursue a Lasting Love!”
During the observance of National Marriage Week (February 7-14) and World Marriage Day (February 8), let us pray for a culture of life and love, that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. During the observance of National Marriage Week (February 7-14) and World Marriage Day (February 8), let us pray for a culture of life and love, that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family.
Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026
Holy Mass, with distribution of ashes, will be celebrated at 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM
LENTEN FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
Mandatory Fasting Days
Ash Wednesday (February 18) and Good Friday (April 3) are mandatory fasting days for Catholics aged 18 to 59, consisting of one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal another full meal. Liquids (including water, coffee, and tea) are permitted, but eating between meals is not allowed. Medications are also permitted.
Mandatory Abstinence Days
All Fridays during Lent, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, require abstinence from meat for Catholics aged 14 and older.
Exemptions
Children, pregnant or nursing women, the elderly, the sick, and those whose health or work would be seriously affected are exempt from fasting and abstinence. The Church encourages common sense and pastoral discretion—no one should endanger their health to fulfill these obligations.
The students in our Faith Formation program continue to learn about the Corporal Works of Mercy. They have collected food for the food pantry (Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty) and visited homebound parishioners and sang carols with them (Visit the Sick). Their next project is to make Blessing Bags for needy individuals in our community (Shelter the Homeless and Clothe the Naked).
We’ve already received some donations, but are asking our parishioners and visitors to help us collect the rest of the items we want to include in the bags.
We will be making 50 bags and still need donations of travel size lotion and hand sanitizer, gum, and snacks (granola bars, snack-size bags of trail mix, goldfish). We are also collecting new or very gently used warm hats and socks.
Donations do not have to be 50 count. Any quantity is greatly appreciated.
Collection boxes will be available, starting this weekend, through February 27. The students will be assembling the bags during their classes on March 1.
Thank you for generosity and assistance with making our project a success.
For the week of February 2 – 6, 2026, we welcome the “Skiing Priests” to St. Joseph Parish. Daily Holy Masses will be celebrated that week as follows:
Monday, February 2 4:00 P.M.
Tuesday, February 3 4:00 P.M.
Wednesday, February 4 4:00 P.M. -No Adoration-
Thursday, February 5 4:00 P.M.
Friday, February 6 4:00 P.M.