During Lent, the Church asks us to surrender ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We seek the Lord in prayer. The fasting that all do together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms is some effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection.

In Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.
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The key to fruitful observance of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal. We are called not just to abstain from sin during Lent, but to true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. We recall those waters in which we were baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ. (USCCB)
Lent & Easter Schedule
Burning of the Palms
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
  • 10:00 a.m.  — St. Mary Church (front steps)
  • 6:00 p.m.  — Mater Christi Church (Mother of Mothers Shrine)
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
  • 8:00 a.m. — Mater Christi Church (Mass)
  • 8:30 a.m. — St. Mary Church (Mass)
  • 10:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m. — St. Hugh Faith Formation Center (Distribution of Ashes)
  • 10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. — Bishop Timothy J. Lyne Pastoral Center (Distribution of Ashes)
  • 3:30 p.m. — Mater Christi Church (Bilingual Prayer Service)
  • 4:00 p.m. — St. Mary Church (Prayer Service)
  • 7:00 p.m. — St. Mary Church and Mater Christi Church (Mass)
Feast of St. Hugh
Friday, April 1, 2022
  • 8:00 a.m. — Mater Christi Church
  • 8:30 a.m. — St. Mary Church 
Palm Sunday
​Saturday, April 9 & Sunday, April 10, 2022
​Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
  • Regular Mass Schedule at both worship sites.
Triduum
NO MORNING PRAYER OR DAILY MORNING MASS ON APRIL 14, 15, OR 16. 
​Holy Thursday, April 14, 2022
Mass of the Lord's Last Supper
  • 7:00 p.m. — St. Mary Church followed by a procession to Mater Christi Church
  • 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. — Mater Christi Church; Adoration 
Good Friday, April 15, 2022
​Celebration of the Lord's Passion
  • 3:00 p.m. — Mater Christi Church; Service & Veneration
  • 7:00 p.m. — St. Mary Church; Stations of the Cross & Veneration
Easter Vigil, April 16, 2022
Vigil for the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
  • No REGULAR Saturday Evening Masses
  • 12:00 p.m. — St. Mary Church; Blessing of Easter Baskets & Food
  • 12:00 p.m. — Mater Christi Church; Blessing of Easter Baskets & Food at the Mother of Mothers Shrine
  • 7:00 p.m. — ​Easter Vigil Mass at St. Mary Church
Easter
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
  • 8:00 a.m.  — St. Mary Church & Mater Christi Church
  • 9:30 a.m.  — Mater Christi Church
  • 10:00 a.m.  — St. Mary Church & Parish Center
  • 11:00 a.m.  — Mater Christi Church
  • 11:00 a.m.  — Drive-thru Communion at Bishop Lyne Parish Office (40 E. Burlington, Riverside)
  • 12:00 Noon  — St. Mary Church & Parish Center
  • No 5:00 p.m. Mass​
Stations of the Cross
Friday, March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1, & 8
  • 7:00 p.m. — ​Stations of the Cross at Mater Christi Church
Thursday Evening Mass
Thursday, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7
  • 6:30 p.m. — Mater Christi Church
Confession
 Monday, March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, and 11
  • 6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. — ​Mater Christi Church (bilingual) and St. Mary Church


​Parish Reconciliation Service

Tuesday, April 5 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • St. Mary Campus
An online video to help us prepare for confession can be viewed here.
Lent Sacrament of Reconciliation
Lent is a wonderful time to celebrate the reconciling love and the healing graces our Lord offers us. Like all religious experiences, it takes preparation.

We have been given a gift that graces us to dispel other darkness’s—in our hearts, in our lives. Pope Francis wrote, “The Lord never tires of forgiveness. Let us ask for the grace not to tire of asking forgiveness because he never tires of forgiving.”

We invite you to our Parish Reconciliation Service

Tuesday, April 5 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • St. Mary Campus
An online video to help us prepare for confession can be viewed here.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available each Monday of Lent.
 Monday, March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, and 11
  • 6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. — ​Mater Christi Church (bilingual) and St. Mary Church
Come to the Light!
Lenten Mission Speakers
Dr. Mark Nimo
March 8, 2022
5pm for RE and School students, grades 4-8
7pm for Parishioners
Mater Christi Church; 2401 S. 10th Ave., North Riverside
5 PM for RE and school students grades 4-8
Asking the questions that matter: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 16:17

During his public ministry, Jesus Christ answered many questions. Sometimes he asked questions in return instead of answering questions. Other times, he gave a teaching or told a parable. On other occasions he was silent. This talk explores his encounter with a rich young man. What lessons can we draw for our own spiritual journey during the season of Lent?
 
7 PM for parishioners
Conversion: An invitation to journey back home! Toward reconciliation with God and others. (Luke 15:1-32)
Jesus Christ was accused of "welcoming sinners and eating with them." - Luke 15:1. This talk will explore how the ministry of Jesus Christ is focused on the "lost", the "sick", the "outcast", the "sinner", and the "marginalized." During the season of Lent, we are invited to draw close to Jesus Christ. The goal of this invitation is reconciliation with God and others.

PLEASE BRING A BIBLE.

Reception in Marian Room afterward sponsored by St. Paul VI Women’s Society.
 
Mark Kwaku Nimo comes from Ghana in West Africa. He is married to Mercy and has three daughters. Mark has a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union and an Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry. He currently serves as Director of Faith Formation at St. Columbanus Church and Augustus Tolton Catholic Academy in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Through his involvement in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Mark has ministered in over forty countries worldwide on all continents. For a period of ten years, Mark served as the representative for all Anglophone African countries on the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) office in the Vatican. Mark spent 6 months on the Island of Malta, for his discipleship training school (DTS) with the International Catholic Programme of Evangelization (ICPE) and then he spent two years as a lay missionary in Uganda, East Africa working in discipleship training schools and doing ministry to people with HIV/AIDS.
Mr. D. Todd Williamson
March 15, 2022
3pm for Senior Citizens
7pm for Parishioners
Mater Christi Church; 2401 S. 10th Ave., North Riverside
3 pm for senior citizens with a reception in the Marian Room to follow
7 PM for parishioners with a reception in the Marian Room to follow
 
The Baptismal Focus of Lent
We will explore Lent as a season of preparation, and look at the Lenten Disciplines (including fasting, prayer and almsgiving) through that lens. How do they prepare us to renew our Baptism at Easter? The RCIA catechumens are the primary examples and symbols as to what Lent should be for us who are already Baptized.
 
Reception in Marian Room afterward sponsored by the Holy Name Society.

D. Todd Williamson is the Director of the Office for Divine Worship of the Archdiocese of Chicago, a position he has held for 22 years. He is a speaker, author and liturgist whose ministerial experience includes teaching and parish pastoral ministry.
Dr. Rachel Hart Winter
March 22, 2022
7pm for parishioners
St. Mary Church; 105 Herrick Rd., Riverside
Poetry and Prayer – Paying Attention to the Movement of God in Our Lives 

Join us for an evening of paying attention to the Lenten themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving through the lens of poetry. National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman writes, “there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.” Together, we will pay attention to the light and hope dwelling in and among us.   

Reception in the Oak Room afterward sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
 
Dr. Rachel Hart Winter is an ethical theologian who brings a wealth of experience in scholarly research, higher education administration and teaching, and pastoral ministry to the work of the St. Catherine of Siena Center at Dominican University. Rachel leads the Center towards its mission to examine critical issues of church and society in the light of faith and scholarship Her theological interests lay at the intersection of ecology and theology, drawing from the Bible, Catholic social teaching, ecology, and feminist theory. She has taught courses in theology with focus on Catholic social teaching, social justice, literature, and health care ethics. She has published a book on Jane Austen and prayer called Literary Portals to Prayer: Jane Austen.
Sr. Christine Nantaba
March 29, 2022
7pm for parishioners
St. Mary Church; 105 Herrick Rd., Riverside
Rejuvenating a Close Encounter with Jesus During This Year's Lenten Season!

During the Season of Lent, Jesus calls us to come back to him with all our hears saying: "Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful." (Joel 2:13). Together we will invoke the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in the unique ways Jesus calls each one of us to get closer to him, to walk with him, suffer with him and rise with him to new life on Easter!

​Reception in Oak Room afterward sponsored by St. Paul VI Parish Pastoral Council.

Sr. Christine Nantaba, IHMR, is a member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Reparatrix (I.H.M.R.) based in Uganda. She serves as the Religious Education Administrator at Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish in Westchester.  She was sent to the US in 1991 and taught in Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for 18 years.  Sister Christine came to the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2016 and worked as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Catholic Charities at Holy Family Villa for 2 years.  In 2018, she was assigned to Divine Providence Parish and worked to unite their RE Program with Divine Infant Parish in 2019.  
Lenten Resources
Other Lenten Opportunites
The Chosen
Sundays from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
Sunday, February 20 – Sunday, April 10 (Eight Sessions)
St. Mary Church (Lower Level – Oak Room)

More Information
Fiat 90
Meets in the Marian Room; Mater Christi (lower level) at 8:30am on Saturday mornings.

We began on January 22, but it’s not too late to join.

More information
Online Stations of the Cross