Edwardsville St. Mary's Giving Tree

O God, bless us during this season of spiritual renewal. Fill our minds and hearts with love, that we may be a sign of Jesus to all those living in our midst. Amen.

Lent is the principal penitential season in the Church year. All the Christian faithful are urged to develop and maintain a voluntary program of self-denial (in addition to the Lenten regulations which follow), serious prayer, and the performing of deeds of charity and mercy, including the giving of alms.

Lenten Regulations

1. ABSTINENCE - Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.

2. FAST - Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 is required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is permitted. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each person's needs, but together these two should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.

3. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.

Special Lenten Events - Lent 2008

Adult Education Series on the 10 Commandments Sunday Evenings; 45 minute presentationsat 6:00pm in the Cafeteria
Feb. 17th	6:00pm Commandments 1,2,3 (Love of God) Deacon Kevin
Feb. 24th	Commandments 4,5 (Respect for Life) Father Tom
Mar. 2nd	Commandments 6,9 (Chasity) Deacon Kevin
Mar 9th	Commandments 7,8,10 (Material Possessions) Father Tom

Film Series Wed Evenings Free and in the cafeteria or Teacher's Lounge
Feb 20th	7:15pm Lenten Film Series, "A Man for all Seasons"
Feb 27th	7:15pm Lenten Film Series, "Therese"; on the life of St. Therese
March 5th	7:15pm Lenten Film Series

Additional Lenten Services February 6th - March 23rd 2008
Wednesday	6:00pm Mass
Wednesday	6:40pm Stations of the Cross
Friday	6:30am Mass
Friday	1:45pm Stations of the Cross