|
|
|
|
|
E-Newsletter for
February 22, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Message from From Fr. Yerick
|
|
What does it mean to repent? We began the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday when we received blessed ashes upon our heads as a sign of repentance. But what exactly are we supposed to do and experience when we repent? Most of us know about “giving something up” for Lent. We know not to eat meat on Fridays and to observe the days of Fasting. We hear about giving alms and increasing our prayer. But why do any of these things? The heart of Lent is the call of Jesus to “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” (See Mk. 1:15). Other names for repentance include contrition, conversion of heart, and interior penance. If we don’t have these then the other things we do during Lent are empty, fake, and do not benefit us spiritually. Only when we have interior repentance together with the external actions of penance do we begin to live the true meaning of Lent. “Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart).” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1431). This interior repentance is what should move us to exterior actions like fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The exterior actions, in turn, reinforce our conversion of heart, lead us to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and dispose us to a more perfect love of God and our neighbor. So when you feel that interior sadness and distance from God and neighbor, when you get the sense that things could be better between you and God and you want a real change, don’t be afraid. Give thanks to God because he is moving your heart by his grace. He is moving you towards repentance. Repentance does not mean sitting around feeling sorry for our sins and letting our guilt get the best of us. Repentance is our cooperation with God’s grace to take action and actually do something about our sins. Don’t fear repentance; pray for it. It is a gift from God. Repentance is the first step towards healing. Remember that Jesus did not come to condemn you he came to save you. (see John 3:17). Our faith in him leads us to repentance and through repentance God leads us to forgiveness and salvation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News & Events
|
|
|
|
Please watch here for news and events, and join our events for good Catholic community!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stations of the Cross
|
Fridays at 6:00p.m. in English and 7:00p.m. in Spanish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD 2026 LENTEN REGULATIONS
- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat as well as days of fast, when only one full meal is allowed. On days of fast two other meatless meals may be taken according to one’s needs, but together
they should not equal another full meal.
- The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
- The obligation to abstain from meat begins at age fourteen (14) and does not cease.
- The obligation to fast begins at age eighteen (18) and ends at age fifty-nine (59).
Please note: Although the faithful may excuse themselves from fast and abstinence, for a just cause, there is an obligation to substitute another penance in its place. No Catholic should lightly excuse him/herself from these Lenten
obligations.
|
|
|
|
Holy Name Passion Play
CALLING ON ALL CHILDREN, TEENS!!!! Rehearsals For
Holy Name’s Passion Play (Bilingual)
will be every Monday, 5:00-6:30 PM In the church starting on February 23rd
|
|
If you are interested, we need:
|
|
Actors, narrators, musicians, videographers, singers, and adult volunteers!!!
|
|
|
|
Religious Education Updates
|
There are no Saturday or Sunday classes this weekend or next weekend – February 14 th, 15th, 21st & 22nd for the holiday and school vacation.
|
|
|
|
Junior Legion of Mary
The Junior Legion of Mary is coming to Holy Name in October! The only requirements are being under 18 and wanting to grow with God.
|
|
|
|
Eucharistic Adoration
|
The Chaplet is prayed at 3p.m., the Rosary is prayed at 3:30 p.m. followed by Benediction.
|
|
40 Days for Life
|
The Spring 40 Days for Life in our Diocese begins Ash Wednesday, February 18 - March 29, 2026.
|
|
|
|
February Bible Study
|
All are invited to join Fr. Yerick, Deacon Michael and Sr. Leila on Thursday, February 19th, right after the 8:15a.m. Mass.
|
|
|
|
Food Pantry Collection
|
We are once again requesting food items for the OPEN PANTRY. As always, we appreciate your giving spirit. The items hoped for are: Canned meats and canned vegetables, oatmeal or hot cereal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese and spaghetti sauce. Please, no perishables!! Thank you very much!
|
|
|
|
Blue Army
|
On the first Saturday of every month, the Blue Army group follows the 8:15a.m. Mass with a rosary, meditation on the mysteries and confession until approximately 10:00a.m. Everyone is invited to stay after Mass to take part.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
