• ASH WEDNESDAY — MARCH 2
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 John Klassen presiding.
St. Cloud • Ash Wednesday Masses at 7:15 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 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.
• RECONCILIATION AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays — March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1
St. Cloud • Reconciliation at 4:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. followed by a soup supper at St. Mary’s Cathedral. (No soup supper on March 18 or April 1.)
Friday, April 8
St. Cloud • Reconciliation at 4:30 p.m. Via Crucis (The Way of the Cross) at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
• SUNDAY LITURGIES
Sundays — March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3 and 10
Collegeville • Join the St. John’s Monastic Community for the Lenten Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. in the Abbey Church.
Little Falls • Join the Franciscan Sisters for the Lenten liturgy at 8:30 a.m. livestreamed on YouTube from Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent. (Search YouTube for “Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN.”)
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.
• TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS
Fridays — March 4, 11, 18
St. Cloud • Taizé Prayer Around the Cross from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. This prayer will be led by the Crosier Fathers and Brothers and includes the ritual blessing with the relic of St. Odilia.
• LENTEN HEALING MASS
Sunday, March 27
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.
• LENTEN RETREATS, COURSES AND MISSIONS
Wednesday, March 2
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts Ash Wednesday Retreat titled “Ambassadors of Christ” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Facilitated by Benedictine Sister Judy Kramer, participants will focus on 2 Corinthians 5:20 (the second Scripture reading at Eucharist on Ash Wednesday) to communicate, listen, understand and promote peace as ambassadors of Christ. The day includes midday prayer with the community, noon meal and time for quiet prayer and reflection. The fee is $75. Register at https://bit.ly/3IPanjY or call 320-363-7112.
Thursday, March 3
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts “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 and meet with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes. The fee is $90, which includes a noon meal. Other dates include March 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7. Register at https://bit.ly/3rhbHpL or call 320-363-7112.
Friday, March 4
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts Lenten Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat starting today at 7 p.m. and continuing through 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Facilitated by Benedictine Sister Katherine Howard, this is an all-silent retreat with multiple periods of Centering Prayer and one teaching session each day. An optional group reflection time is provided. The fee is $250, which includes meals and overnight accommodations. Register at https://bit.ly/343ASUj or call 320-363-7112.
Monday, March 7
St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts “Breaking the Walls That Divide: The Gospel Message of Liberation,” from 9 to 11 a.m. starting today and continuing on Mondays March 14, 28 and April 4. Facilitated by Benedictine Sister Christian Morris, this four-week series examines the meaning of the Gospels in their presentation of Jesus as a voice of liberation and the consequences for discipleship. Fee is $200. Register at https://bit.ly/3IT9abj or call 320-363-7112.
Wednesday, March 9
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 meet online to share the common prayer of “lectio divina” (prayerful reading) using the Gospels of the Sundays of Lent and meet with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes. The fee is $50. Other dates include March 16, 23, 30 and April 6. Register at https://bit.ly/3AQhIgj or call 320-363-7112.
Saturday, March 12
Belle Prairie • Holy Family Parish hosts DCCW Women’s Lenten Retreat starting with registration and refreshments at 8:30 a.m. followed by keynote speaker Father Brady Keller. Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Event includes lunch and afternoon speakers Leah Brix and Abby Thomas. Fee is $16 before March 1; $20 at the door. Handicapped accessible. Send registration to: St. Cloud DCCW, c/o Lora Knafla, 11719 16th Ave. NW, Rice, MN 56367. Those who wish to view by livestream may send $5 and their email address to receive the link. For more information, call Linda Scepurek at 320-632-4805.
Saturday, March 19
Glenwood • Christian Mothers of Sacred Heart Parish host a free Lenten Morning of Reflection with a presentation by Kristin Molitor from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in the church’s lower level (handicap accessible). No registration needed. Refreshments provided before and during the retreat. Lunch opportunity available. For more information, call the church at 320-634-3813 or email sheartchurch@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 26
Little Falls • Franciscan Sisters and Franciscan Associates host a virtual Lenten Day of Reflection titled “Living the Paschal Mystery” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Zoom. Presenter, Franciscan Sister Elise Saggau, will guide participants to a better understanding of their Christian vocation to live the Gospel by entering into and sharing Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection. There is no cost for the event but donations are welcome. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. For more information or to register by March 23, contact the Franciscan Life Center by emailing Christi Hartwell at chartwell@fslf.org or calling 320-632-0680.
Sunday, March 27
Alexandria • St. Mary Parish hosts a Lenten mission titled “Discipleship” with singer, composer and recording artist ValLimar Jansen starting today from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and continuing through Tuesday, March 29. Jansen shares God’s love through her music, storytelling and drama. Themes for the mission include “The Call” on Sunday, “The Role” on Monday and “The Mission” on Tuesday. She will speak at weekend Masses — 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 and 10 a.m. on Sunday. A light supper will be served at 5 p.m. in the parish Great Hall on Sunday. No reservations are required. Performances will be livestreamed on the parish Facebook page. For more information, visit www.stmaryalexandria.org.
• ‘JOURNEY WITH JESUS TO CALVARY’
Wednesday, April 6; Friday, April 8; Saturday, April 9; Sunday, April 10
St. Francis • “Journey With Jesus to Calvary” will be presented four times at St. Francis of Assisi Church — at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, and at 1 p.m. on Palm Sunday, April 10. 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 at 320-573-2933.