Ash Wednesday Eucharist
Wednesday, March 5
Collegeville • Join St. John’s Monastic Community for Ash Wednesday Mass with distribution of ashes at 5 p.m. in the Abbey Church with Abbot Douglas Mullin presiding.
Little Falls • Join the Franciscan Sisters for Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of ashes at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent.
Onamia • Join the Crosier Community and the Holy Cross Parish for Ash Wednesday Mass and imposition of ashes at 9 a.m. at Holy Cross Church.
St. Cloud • Ash Wednesday Masses at 7 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
St. Joseph • Join the Benedictine Sisters and the College of St. Benedict Campus Ministry for Eucharist and distribution of ashes at 5 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict’s Monastery. (Campus Ministry also hosts a prayer service with distribution of ashes at noon in Sacred Heart Chapel.)
Reconciliation
Fridays: March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11
St. Cloud • Reconciliation at 4:30 p.m. followed by Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Wednesday, March 19
St. Augusta • St. Mary Help of Christians Parish hosts Confesstival from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the church. (Private and face-to-face confession.)
Sunday Liturgies
Sundays — March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13
Collegeville • Join the St. John’s Monastic Community for the Lenten Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. in the Abbey Church. (All Masses are livestreamed at saintjohnsabbey.org and are also archived on YouTube under the title Saint John’s Abbey.)
Little Falls • Join the Franciscan Sisters for the Lenten liturgy at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent.
Onamia • Join the Crosier Community for Solemn Lenten Vespers at 5 p.m. at Holy Cross Priory Church.
St. Cloud • Lenten Eucharist celebrated at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. (Saturday Masses celebrated at 5 p.m.)
St. Joseph • Join the Benedictine Sisters for the Lenten Eucharist at 10.30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict’s Monastery. (Campus Ministry also hosts a Mass at 6 p.m. every Sunday — except for March 16 — in Sacred Heart Chapel.)
Lenten Healing Mass
Sunday, March 23
Onamia • Crosier Fathers and Brothers invite all to a Lenten Healing Mass at the National Shrine of St. Odilia at 9 a.m. Mass includes the anointing of the sick and the ritual blessing with the Relic of St. Odilia. Coffee and rolls served in Holy Cross Center following Mass. Reservations not required. Call the Crosiers at 320-532-3103 for more information.
Lenten Retreats and Courses
Saturday, March 1
Little Falls • Franciscan Sisters hosts a Lenten Day of Reflection titled “The Surprising Freedom of Lent: Being Human in an Inhuman World” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Francis Convent. Presenter Mike Schut, director of Integral Ecology for the Franciscan Sisters and author of three books, leads participants in reflection and conversation in a unique way of preparing for Lent. This retreat is offered both in-person and on Zoom. Fee is $20. For more information or to register by Feb. 23, contact Linda at ldobosenki@fslf.org or 320-632-0680.
Wednesday, March 5
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts an Ash Wednesday Retreat titled “Looking forward to Easter Joy with Spiritual Longing” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Led by Benedictine Sister Hélène Mercier, participants will consider a spiritual reset to guide them toward the grace of the Holy Spirit. Fee is $75. Register at https://bit.ly/4heirfFor call 320-363-7112.
Thursday, March 6
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts virtual Lenten reflections titled “Listening with the Eyes and Ears of the Heart” from 7 to 9 p.m. for four Thursdays, starting today. Led by Benedictine Oblate Becky Van Ness, participants will prepare themselves to see, hear and participate in the Paschal mystery through art and poetry. Fee is $120. Other dates include March 13, 20, 27. (Device with Zoom capability required.) Register at https://bit.ly/4gkrTNg or call 320-363-7112.
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts in-person “Sacred Pause Lenten Prayer” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays during Lent, starting today. Facilitated by Benedictine Sisters Mary Catherine Holicky and Eunice Antony, participants will gather to share the common prayer of “lectio divina” (prayerful reading) using the Gospels of the Sundays of Lent. Prayer is followed by a simple shared meal and an optional meeting with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes. The fee is $90, which includes a noon meal. Other dates include March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10. Register at https://bit.ly/42rJrUC or call 320-363-7112.
Friday, March 7
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts Lenten Centering Prayer Retreat starting today at 7 p.m. and continuing through 1 p.m. Sunday, March 9. Facilitated by Benedictine Sister Hélène Mercier, this is an all-silent retreat with multiple periods of Centering Prayer and one teaching session each day. The fee is $250, which includes meals and overnight accommodations. Register at https://bit.ly/4hgYxku or call 320-363-7112.
Saturday, March 8
Buckman • St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women hosts Lenten retreat titled “The Secret of the Holy Face” starting with registration/refreshments at 8:45 a.m. at St. Michael Parish. Speakers include Cathy Maloney-Hills and Father Robert Altier. Lunch served. Registration: $20 by Feb. 28 or $25 afterwards or at the door. Mail to: St. Cloud DCCW, 14267 Fairway Lane, Becker, MN 55308. Contact Nita Hayes at 320-630-0388 for more information.
Wednesday, March 12
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts virtual “Sacred Pause Lenten Prayer” from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays during Lent, starting today. Facilitated by Benedictine Sisters Mary Catherine Holicky and Eunice Antony, participants will gather on Zoom to share the common prayer of “lectio divina” (prayerful reading) using the Gospels of the Sundays of Lent. An optional meeting with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes is available. Participants will need access to a device with Zoom capability. The fee is $60. Other dates include March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16. Register at https://bit.ly/42zw0lG or call 320-363-7112.
Stations of the Cross
Sunday, March 23
St. Cloud • After the 6 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, parishioners of St. Mary Help of Christian’s will present “Mary’s Eyes” — Stations of the Cross through the eyes of Mother Mary. The program features prayers and songs that highlight the sorrow Mary felt as she witnessed her only Son’s crucifixion and death. A reception in the basement will follow. The program is free and open to all.
Tuesday, March 25; Wednesday, March 26
St. Augusta • St. Mary Help of Christians Parish presents “Mary’s Eyes” — Stations of the Cross through the eyes of Mother Mary. Tuesday evening’s presentation includes Mass at 6 p.m. followed by a light supper. Please RSVP by calling the parish office at 320-252-1799. (Wednesday’s program starts at 7 p.m.)
Sacred Performances
‘Journey with Jesus to Calvary’
Wednesday, April 9; Friday, April 11; Saturday, April 12; Sunday, April 13
St. Francis • “Journey with Jesus to Calvary,” a live passion play presented by parishioners depicting the events of Holy Week, will be presented four times at St. Francis of Assisi Church — at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 11 and April 12, and at 1 p.m. on Palm Sunday, April 13. There is no admission cost but a free will offering will be collected. The church is located 10 miles north of Albany on State Hwy. 238. For more information, contact Bob Theisen at 320-573-2933.