Lent begins on February 17th, with the solemn celebration of Ash Wednesday. Ashes will be distributed at each of the Masses, scheduled for 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm (Spanish). The ashes will be distributed with the words “Remember, O man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. What a powerful reminder that God alone is our hope, our salvation and our promise of eternal life. Make your Lent a powerful time of conversion and spiritual renewal; I encourage you to come to daily Mass, to spend extra time in prayer, and to observe the laws of fasting and abstinence as a powerful way of uniting yourself to our Lord Jesus who prepares the way for our salvation by spending forty days in the desert dedicated to prayer and fasting.