So often, we find ourselves further away from God than we ever intended to be.

Our Lenten theme, Return, reminds us that Scripture is always calling us back.

“Return to the Lord your God.” – Joel 2:13

Like the prodigal son, we come to recognize our need to go home.

“I will arise and go to my father.” – Luke 15:17–18

And we trust in God’s promise of mercy and welcome.

“Return to me, and I will return to you.” – Malachi 3:7

Lent invites us not only to turn our hearts back to God, but to take intentional steps home by returning to the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist, and by re-engaging with the Church community where we are welcomed, healed, and strengthened together.

Events: Pray, Fast, Give Together. Lent is not a journey we walk alone. As we seek to return to the Lord, we do so not only in personal prayer and sacrifice, but in fellowship with one another.

Friday, February 20 Fish Fry & Stations of the Cross

Friday, February 27 Fish Fry & Rosary

Friday, March 6 Fish Fry & Taizé Prayer

Friday, March 13 Fish Fry & XLT/Penance Service

Friday, March 20 Fish Fry & Mary’s Way of the Cross

Saturday, March 21 Family Faith Night

Friday, March 27 Fish Fry & Taizé Prayer

Friday, April 4 Good Friday Hike & Stations of the Cross

Fish Fry: 4:30-7:30pm

Stations of the Cross & Prayer: 7:00pm

Liturgies: Our Lenten liturgies are a sacred invitation to return home. Each Mass, Penance Service, and devotional gathering becomes an expression of the call to pray, fast, and give. We pray more intentionally, fast from distractions, and give devotion to the altar—uniting our small sacrifices with His perfect one.

Ash Wednesday
7am – 8:15am – 7:00pm – Mass/Ashes
9:30am – 5:00pm Parking Lot Ashes

Palm Sunday
“Sat. Vigil 4:00pm
Sun. 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:15am, 5:00pm

Holy Thursday
8:15am Morning Prayer
7:00pm Mass

Good Friday
8:15am Morning Prayer
Noon & 7:00pm

Holy Saturday
8:15am Morning Prayer
7:30pm Vigil

Easter Sunday
Mass of the Resurrection
7:00am (Church)
9:00am (Church & Colman Hall)
11:00am (Church & Colman Hall)

Outreach: Lent calls us beyond ourselves. As we return to the Lord, we also return to His heart for the poor, the forgotten, and the weary. Our Lenten Outreach Schedule offers meaningful opportunities to live the rhythm of pray, fast, and give through concrete acts of love and service.

Continuing our parish tradition, the Saints Simon and Jude Outreach Ministry will host a weekly donation drive throughout Lent. Your almsgiving supports local charitable organizations by providing the essential supplies they need to continue their mission and care for our neighbors in need. Collections will take place before and after every Mass. Thank you for your generosity and for being a visible sign of Christ’s compassion in our community this Lent.

February 21-22, Robyne’s Nest: Supports at-risk and homeless students by providing essentials. We’re filling 900 grocery bags for students without access to school pantries during Spring Break.

Pasta & Grains: Pasta, pasta sauce, mac & cheese box mix, mac & cheese cups, ramen, rice (up to 5 lb. bags), oatmeal (multi-packs), cereal (large boxes), pancake mix, syrup.

Canned & Shelf-Stable Proteins: Canned chicken, tuna, or Spam, canned soup or chili, canned vegetables, peanut butter & jelly, cracker/tuna packs, cracker/chicken salad packs.

Fruits & Snacks: Canned fruits and fruit cups, Jell-O, pudding cups, granola bars, beef jerky or Slim Jim’s, pretzels (single-serving bags), trail mix or nut packs (multipacks), crackers (peanut butter, cheese, Cheez-Its, Club crackers, Saltines).

Gift Cards: Stater Bros, Grocery Outlet, Aldi, or Northgate.

February 28-March 1, Illumination Foundation: Provides safe, short-term housing and post-hospital care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness who need a stable place to recover after discharge. We’re supporting recuperating adults and children with therapeutic and engaging activities to help ease stress, anxiety, and boredom.

Adult Coloring Books, Activity Books (i.e., crossword puzzles), Children’s Coloring Books, Sketchbooks, Crayons, Stencils, Colored Pencils, Construction Paper, Markers, Children’s, Scissors, Paint Brushes, Journals, Paint-by-Number Kits, Canvas Boards (12 x 12 or smaller)

March 7-8, Casa Teresa: Provides a safe home and supportive programs for single pregnant women in crisis, including those facing homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges. We’re helping new mothers and their babies thrive by donating essential items and prayerfully supporting them as they begin a new chapter—changing two lives at one time.

Baby Play Mats, Baby Grooming Kits, Breast Milk Storage Bags, Newborn Swaddles, Newborn, Baby Mittens, Warm Baby Beanies (not crochet), Preemie Boys & Girls Clothes (0–3 months), Newborn Boys & Girls Clothes (0–3 months), $25 Gas Gift Cards, $25 Walmart Gift Cards, $25, Target Gift Cards, $25 Stater Bros Gift Cards

March 14-15, Save Our Youth (SOY): Provides a safe and welcoming space for teens with tutoring, academic resources, and opportunities in sports, fitness, art, and dance, helping prevent gang involvement and encouraging educational success. We’re supporting and nurturing our younger brothers and sisters in Christ by donating needed items to help them thrive and pursue a brighter future.

Soccer Balls (Size 5, NFHS Approved), Canvas Boards (12 x 12 or smaller), Acrylic Paints, Paint Brushes, Glue Sticks for Collages, Printer Ink (HP Black 952XL), Air Dry Clay, Amazon Gift Cards to purchase bins for storing sports equipment & art supplies.

March 21-22, Orange County Children and Family Services (CFS): Strengthens and stabilizes families to ensure children are safe from abuse or neglect and placed in permanent, nurturing homes. We’re “adopting” foster children for Easter by filling gift bags with new, age-appropriate goodies to help them feel loved, remembered, and celebrated.

4 Years Old & Under: Sippy cups, small balls, coloring books, Pop Its (fidget toys), socks, bubbles or sidewalk chalk, Play-Doh, board books, small stuffed animals, juice boxes or Goldfish crackers, and minimal Easter candy.

5 to 12 Years Old: Coloring books with crayons, colored pencils or markers, gel pens, stickers or sticker books, bubbles or sidewalk chalk, Play-Doh, Hot Wheels or Legos, small stuffed animals, hair ties, hair clips or scrunchies, gift cards to Baskin-Robbins or Yogurtland, individual-size snacks, and minimal Easter candy.

13 Years and Older: Black hair ties, combs or brushes, nail polish or fragrances, journals with pens, body wash or lotions, bracelets (for boys and girls), fun socks (for boys and girls), small stuffed animals, individual-sized snacks, earbuds, minimal Easter candy, and $15 gift cards to places such as Starbucks, In-N-Out, Raising Cane’s, or Chipotle.

March 21-22, Loaves and Fishes: Serves approximately 300 unhoused and food-insecure individuals and families by distributing food twice each month. We’re supporting our neighbors in need by donating essential food items to help sustain them with dignity and care.

Pinto Beans (4lb bags), White Rice (5lb bags), Peanut Butter (40 oz), Jam (any size, strawberry preferred), Canned Tuna (any size), Mayonnaise (30 oz size), Cardboard Canisters of Quaker Oats, Boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Box Mix