Fr. Don’s Weekly Letter ~ 8 February 2026

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

For the third year, on Ash Wednesday (TEN days away!) we will be offering an early evening Liturgy of the Word with the reception of ashes. You might ask, why would we consider a liturgy on Ash Wednesday that is only a Liturgy of the Word and not a full Mass with Eucharist?

The more practical quick answer is that there are many Catholics who, for whatever reason are unable to receive Communion: we want them to feel welcome as we begin the season of Lent. Many feel estranged because they’re anxious about their inability to receive Communion and don’t want to be judged. I was interested to learn that this was actually an attitude in the Church for many centuries, that no one is actually worthy of receiving the Host and those who did faced the judgment of others. In colonial times in America, for example, people would come to church and receive Communion very early in the morning on a Sunday and then would return for regular Mass later in the morning when no one would receive Communion and feel judged. That might sound foreign to our modern ears, but that is why, in order to be a Catholic such a low bar as “Easter Duty” is observed: in order to be Catholic, one must receive Holy Communion at least once between Ash Wednesday and Pentecost. Presumably, if you haven’t been attending Mass, or might be aware of grave sin, this would also include Confession.

But I think the best reason for a Liturgy of the Word and reception of ashes on Ash Wednesday is that it is an opportunity for our Church to invite all Christians to come and join with us equally for a celebration of the year. Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, and blessed ashes are a sacramental, not a sacrament, and may be received by anyone who comes with appropriate faith and the awareness of the need for reconciliation and forgiveness. We have such few ecumenical opportunities throughout the year where the faithful can attend fully together, especially our married couples who live with the reality of different church affiliations.

“Churches should act together in all matters except those in which deep differences of conviction compel them to act separately.” This Lund Principle was set forth by the 1952 Faith and Order Conference of the World Council of Churches and remains one of the foundational guides for the modern Christian unity movement.

All of our liturgies on Ash Wednesday will include Holy Communion and the reception of ashes, except for the Liturgy of the Word with ashes only at 6pm. It is an opportunity to join together with your Christian friends to start the season of Lent together.

Now is the time to be giving some thought to how we are going to make the gift of time that is Lent meaningful for 2026. Consider looking around and recognizing the ways we can reach out to those around us, easing burdens, bringing comfort, growing kindness and goodness. Such small acts begin the process of healing the divisions which threaten community and peace. Such a big job is accomplished by the many small acts of goodness which we are capable of doing. I find that doing good for others in small ways is so much easier than the alternative, and so much more satisfying than doing nothing.

Especially at this time, many people are just struggling with the confusion and uncertainty of what’s next for our country, and our world. Often, what people need most is for someone just to listen. Our lives are so full of data overload we can too easily shut others out. The feeling of powerlessness has left people angry, which can lead to depression over time. Talking it out - and being heard - is one way of breaking free from this cycle. Being a listener could be a commitment for you for Lent.

Another idea has something to do with the reason why, as I was describing earlier, nobody received Communion for centuries: The way we judge each other. Even if seemingly insignificant, it can introduce a crack in our families, our community, our Church. The Church is strong enough to keep us together, despite how we might push back at times. People in dialogue don’t always agree, but they keep the channel open. It is the Holy Spirit who is present in the magisterium of the Church, guiding us and making us relevant to the world today. Quiet kindness makes this possible, and most effective in a world full of shouting.sss

The Lord be with you,