Lent 2023 at New Roads
Lent is the Church’s annual season of preparation for Easter. Lent is an opportunity for all people to grow in their relationship with God. Renewed efforts in prayer, fasting, and giving characterize this season. At New Roads there are several opportunities to observe Lent and we invite you and your family to join us. Our kids programs take place at the 9:00am & 10:30am Masses each Sunday at St. Joseph.
Worship Night
Join us for our first ever New Roads Worship Night on Thursday, March 30th, at 7:00pm at St. Joseph in the South Worship Space. We'll have music from our worship team, prayer, and time for personal reflection. This is a great opportunity to lean in to listen for God's voice during this season of Lent. Everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on the journey of faith--or if you're not sure you're on a faith journey at all. Kids are always welcome at New Roads, but it may be helpful to know that this event is not geared toward children and our kids programs will not be running. We can't wait to worship with you!
Prayer
Join us for prayer via Zoom, Monday evenings at 7:00pm and Wednesday mornings at 7:00am. Not sure how to pray or where to begin? Not sure what to say? Pray a lot but don't want to pray alone? Join us! During our 15 minutes together, you’ll hear a Scripture reading, some prayers based on that reading, as well as universal prayers offered for our community and world during this time. To receive the secure Zoom links to join us, email us at prayer@newroadscatholic.org. You can also use that email address to submit prayer requests to our prayer team!
Fasting
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting during the season of Lent. We fast to make space in our lives to recognize our hunger for God. When fasting, a person eats one full meal and two smaller, simpler ones only. On Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent, we are also called to abstain from meat. “Giving up” other foods and drink, such as deserts or alcohol, are another form of fasting and have become common practices as a way to refocus and turn back to God during Lent.
Giving & Almsgiving
The foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospels and a special project of Lent. We are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving” which means the provision of goods and services, works of mercy and charity, or financial support to the poor. Giving also includes our tithe or offering, our worship offering in our place of worship as an act of worship. To learn more about giving to New Roads please click this link.
During Lent we also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Catholic Appeal in the Archdiocese of Boston. The Appeal supports the work of Catholic parishes, communities, and schools throughout the Archdiocese and is our annual opportunity to lend a helping hand to so much good work that goes on throughout the year.
Lenten Message Series: "Catholic Guilt"
In church we hear the word “sin” used a lot. It’s a heavy concept often associated with judgment, shame, and guilt. Catholics struggle with guilt in a particular way as our tradition has often emphasized following rules over a relationship with God. In this series we’ll explore what sin really is, the difference between guilt and shame, and how God invites us to the joy of repentance: changing our minds and moving in a new direction. This series runs February 26th through March 26, 2023 at the 9:00am & 10:30am Masses at St. Joseph (in person & livestreamed). The message videos are also posted on our website each week.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke church in the Eucharistic Chapel at the front of the church.
Worship Night
Join us for our first ever New Roads Worship Night on Thursday, March 30th, at 7:00pm at St. Joseph in the South Worship Space. We'll have music from our worship team, prayer, and time for personal reflection. This is a great opportunity to lean in to listen for God's voice during this season of Lent. Everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on the journey of faith--or if you're not sure you're on a faith journey at all. Kids are always welcome at New Roads, but it may be helpful to know that this event is not geared toward children and our kids programs will not be running. We can't wait to worship with you!
Prayer
Join us for prayer via Zoom, Monday evenings at 7:00pm and Wednesday mornings at 7:00am. Not sure how to pray or where to begin? Not sure what to say? Pray a lot but don't want to pray alone? Join us! During our 15 minutes together, you’ll hear a Scripture reading, some prayers based on that reading, as well as universal prayers offered for our community and world during this time. To receive the secure Zoom links to join us, email us at prayer@newroadscatholic.org. You can also use that email address to submit prayer requests to our prayer team!
Fasting
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting during the season of Lent. We fast to make space in our lives to recognize our hunger for God. When fasting, a person eats one full meal and two smaller, simpler ones only. On Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent, we are also called to abstain from meat. “Giving up” other foods and drink, such as deserts or alcohol, are another form of fasting and have become common practices as a way to refocus and turn back to God during Lent.
Giving & Almsgiving
The foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospels and a special project of Lent. We are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving” which means the provision of goods and services, works of mercy and charity, or financial support to the poor. Giving also includes our tithe or offering, our worship offering in our place of worship as an act of worship. To learn more about giving to New Roads please click this link.
During Lent we also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Catholic Appeal in the Archdiocese of Boston. The Appeal supports the work of Catholic parishes, communities, and schools throughout the Archdiocese and is our annual opportunity to lend a helping hand to so much good work that goes on throughout the year.
Lenten Message Series: "Catholic Guilt"
In church we hear the word “sin” used a lot. It’s a heavy concept often associated with judgment, shame, and guilt. Catholics struggle with guilt in a particular way as our tradition has often emphasized following rules over a relationship with God. In this series we’ll explore what sin really is, the difference between guilt and shame, and how God invites us to the joy of repentance: changing our minds and moving in a new direction. This series runs February 26th through March 26, 2023 at the 9:00am & 10:30am Masses at St. Joseph (in person & livestreamed). The message videos are also posted on our website each week.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke church in the Eucharistic Chapel at the front of the church.
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