Lent 2026 at New Roads
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 & 11:00am Masses each Sunday at St. Joseph.
Lenten Message Series: How to Be Human (and Let God Be God)
We’re often told to strive, achieve, and “be everything.” But what if the things that leave us most anxious and exhausted aren’t actually ours to carry? In this Lenten message series, we’ll explore the false needs that quietly shape our lives: control, perfection, having the answer, being there for everyone, and approval. These are traits of God, not burdens we’re meant to carry. This Lent, we’ll work to let go of being God, and learn how to be human instead–accepting our limits, learning to trust God, and living fully alive as the people God made us to be. Join us for this Lenten series in person or online February 15th through March 29th. The message videos will be posted on our Messages page and Podcast each week.
Small Groups
Lent is a journey meant to be undertaken in community! Small groups are 6-12 people who meet to intentionally share their lives with others, grow spiritually together, and encourage each other through the highs and lows of life. Small groups for Lent are meeting weekly from the week of February 22nd through the week of March 29th.
Stations of the Cross
Lent is a beautiful time to slow down and walk with Jesus through the Stations of the Cross as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Stations are prayed every Friday of Lent at 4:00 p.m. at St. Luke. Whether you’ve been many times or have never experienced Stations before, you are welcome!
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 desserts 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 click here.
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. Commitment weekend for the Catholic Appeal is March 7/8, 2026.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Lent is a perfect time to experience the sacrament of Reconciliation as we prepare our hearts for Easter. 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. Whether it’s been a few months or many years, you are welcome! We have a guide to help you through.
Holy Week
Holy Week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday (the weekend of March 28/29, 2026--we will follow our regular weekend Mass schedule) and ends with the celebration of the Triduum. The Triduum is a three-day celebration when we remember Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection--not just as incidents from the past, but as events that have meaning and relevance for us in the present. Below is our schedule for the Triduum. More details will be posted here as Holy Week approaches.
Holy Thursday - April 2, 2026 - 7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Luke
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 - 4:00pm Living Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph South Worship Space (A live, prayerful reenactment of the 14 Stations of the Cross presented by New Roads teens)
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 - 7:00pm Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Luke
Holy Saturday - April 4, 2026 - 7:00pm Easter Vigil at St. Luke
Easter Sunday - April 5, 2026
Below is our Mass schedule for Easter Sunday. More information will be shared as Easter approaches!
St. Joseph:
Lenten Message Series: How to Be Human (and Let God Be God)
We’re often told to strive, achieve, and “be everything.” But what if the things that leave us most anxious and exhausted aren’t actually ours to carry? In this Lenten message series, we’ll explore the false needs that quietly shape our lives: control, perfection, having the answer, being there for everyone, and approval. These are traits of God, not burdens we’re meant to carry. This Lent, we’ll work to let go of being God, and learn how to be human instead–accepting our limits, learning to trust God, and living fully alive as the people God made us to be. Join us for this Lenten series in person or online February 15th through March 29th. The message videos will be posted on our Messages page and Podcast each week.
Small Groups
Lent is a journey meant to be undertaken in community! Small groups are 6-12 people who meet to intentionally share their lives with others, grow spiritually together, and encourage each other through the highs and lows of life. Small groups for Lent are meeting weekly from the week of February 22nd through the week of March 29th.
Stations of the Cross
Lent is a beautiful time to slow down and walk with Jesus through the Stations of the Cross as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Stations are prayed every Friday of Lent at 4:00 p.m. at St. Luke. Whether you’ve been many times or have never experienced Stations before, you are welcome!
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 desserts 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 click here.
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. Commitment weekend for the Catholic Appeal is March 7/8, 2026.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Lent is a perfect time to experience the sacrament of Reconciliation as we prepare our hearts for Easter. 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. Whether it’s been a few months or many years, you are welcome! We have a guide to help you through.
Holy Week
Holy Week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday (the weekend of March 28/29, 2026--we will follow our regular weekend Mass schedule) and ends with the celebration of the Triduum. The Triduum is a three-day celebration when we remember Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection--not just as incidents from the past, but as events that have meaning and relevance for us in the present. Below is our schedule for the Triduum. More details will be posted here as Holy Week approaches.
Holy Thursday - April 2, 2026 - 7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Luke
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 - 4:00pm Living Stations of the Cross at St. Joseph South Worship Space (A live, prayerful reenactment of the 14 Stations of the Cross presented by New Roads teens)
Good Friday - April 3, 2026 - 7:00pm Service of the Lord’s Passion at St. Luke
Holy Saturday - April 4, 2026 - 7:00pm Easter Vigil at St. Luke
Easter Sunday - April 5, 2026
Below is our Mass schedule for Easter Sunday. More information will be shared as Easter approaches!
St. Joseph:
- 9:00am Mass in the South Worship Space (with kids programs), also livestreamed
- 11:00am Mass in the South Worship Space (with kids programs)
- 10:00am Mass
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