Churches offer parishioners ample chances to get into spirit of Lent

With Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17, the Lenten season began for churches across the world. Local churches are doing their part to provide opportunities for parishioners to return to their Baptismal promises and get into the spirit of Lent.

Holy Family Catholic Church in Luling will be holding the Way of the Cross on Fridays at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. during Lent, as well as a Eucharistic Adoration for vocations on March 7.

Rev. Msgr. Harry J. Bugler of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Destrehan hopes that this season will help parishioners become closer to God.

“Lent is a time of renewal of our Baptismal promises, a time of re-commitment to all that God calls each of us to be,” Msgr. Bugler said. “We are encouraged by the Church to follow Jesus’ example and set aside time for Prayer, Penance, and Almsgiving all through the year, but especially during Lent.”

In addition to regular events, St. Charles Borromeo is offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays from 5:30-6 p.m., Lenten Evening Prayer on Monday evenings through March 15 at 7 p.m., The Easter Story slide-show narration on March 11 at 7 p.m., a special Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 6 p.m., and a Morning of Retreat for Holy Week on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Msgr. William Bilinsky will also be preaching the Parish Lenten Mission with the theme “He Taught Them in Parables” starting on the weekend of March 20 and 21 and continuing on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, March 22, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m.

St. Charles Borromeo School will be holding a School Passion Play on March 26 at 1 p.m.

St. Mark Catholic Church in Ama will hold Mass and Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays as well as Mass on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 8 a.m. and Communion Service at 8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

A representative of the church said that they offer these times all year long, but that more Catholics tend to show up during Lent as part of their everyday penance and as preparation for Easter Sunday.

St. Mark also has an adoration chapel that is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Hahnville is also giving people further opportunities to prepare themselves for Easter Sunday. 

Contact your local church to find out what Lenten programs they have planned for this year.