Ash Wednesday
February 17
Mass, Distribution of Holy Eucharist and Ashes
Lent 2021 begins Wednesday. While not a holy day of obligation, Fr. John Gonzales will offer a video Ash Wednesday Mass in the Chapel. It will be available to view by 7 AM Wednesday.
2021 in-person Ash Wednesday Masses at St. Thomas the Apostle will be:
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
5:00 PM
Holy Eucharist and ashes* will be distributed in the Parish courtyard after each Mass.
Holy Eucharist and ashes* for those who view Mass technologically will be distributed in the Parish courtyard during these times:
NOON - 12:30 PM
3:00 - 3:30 PM
*Distribution of Ashes in Time of Pandemic
(as decreed by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments)
The Priest will say the prayer for blessing the ashes. He will sprinkle the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. Then he will address all present and ONLY ONCE say the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general, reminding them to "Repent and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."
The priest will then cleanse his hands, put on a face mask and distribute the ashes. Ashes will be applied using an individual (one-time) Q-tip cotton swab on the head of each person without saying anything.