Lent is the season where the Church prepares for Easter. Starting with Ash Wednesday, Lent spans 40+ days until Holy Thursday. In the fourth chapter of Matthew, Jesus spends 40 days in the desert, fasting, praying, and preparing for his mission. Lent is your opportunity for that same focus. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Palm Burning and Desserts - Tuesday, March 4th at 6 pm 
Join us on Shrove Tuesday while we burn the Palms from Palm Sunday, pray together and then feast on delicious desserts before our Ash Wednesday fast.  Bring your blessed Palms from last year's Palm Sunday celebration and your favorite dessert to share. 
 
Ash Wednesday, March 5th
Mass with Distribution of Ashes 6:30am, 12pm and 6pm
Distribution of Ashes 10am and 4:15pm
 
Stations of the Cross - Fridays at 7 pm (approximately 30 minutes)
 
Reconciliation Service - Monday, March 10th at 7 pm.

Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Thursday, April 17th at 7:30 pm followed by 
Adoration in the Parish Hall. (No Noon Mass)
 
Good Friday - Friday of the Passion of the Lord
Friday, April 18th at Noon & 6pm
 
Holy Saturday - Vigil of Easter
Saturday, April 19th at 7:30 pm
 
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Sunday, April 20th at 8 am, 10 am and Noon
(No Evening Mass)

This Lent Fr. Jim is encouraging everyone in our parish family to spend time in deep prayer with God through Scripture. Lectio Divina is the divine reading – a way of being with Jesus in the Gospels. Find the Text of the Gospel using the reference on the Parish Lenten Calendar or visit www.usccb.org    

Before you begin, ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit:  Come Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart and mind to listen to your Word.  

Lectio (Read)
Read the text slowly and prayerfully, listening for the word that God has prepared for you to hear. You may want to re-read it more than once to help quiet yourself interiorly.  Listen and receive the word God has for you.

Meditatio (Meditate)
When a word or phrase strikes you, stop and rest with it.  Repeat the word or phrase to yourself. Allow the Word to speak to you in a personal way by pondering the word in your heart, reflecting on what it means to you. 

Oratio (Pray)
Prayer is your response to God’s word. It begins your dialogue with God that comes from your heart. What do you want to say to the Lord in response to the Word spoken to you? Enter into this loving conversation with God.  

Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Rest in God’s presence and receive His transforming embrace. Sit still with God, be content and at peace with a wordless, quiet rest in God. Remember that contemplation is not your action or doing, rather it is allowing God to act in you. 

Our parish is handing out Lent 2025 The Peaceful Path of Hope Daily Reflections, Prayers and Actions By Alice Camille 
In this Jubilee Year, Alice Camille invites us to make a Lenten pilgrimage in Jesus’ own path. In the face of accusation and persecution, she writes, Jesus shows us that “only hope can make a person so brave.”
 

40 Days - 40 Pieces
Loaves and Fishes invites you to share with those in need this Lent by NOT JUST GIVING SOMETHING UP—BUT BY GIVING. WHY? WE ARE JESUS' HANDS AND FEET. We all have pieces of clothing, choose one piece each day during Lent. We are inviting you to join us in this simple, but meaningful way to reach out to those in need locally. There will be a cart in the vestibule from Ash Wednesday through Good Friday. For details contact Jackie Treuting 805-495-4630
 
Food and Recycling Collection
March 15 and April 19 from 9am-10am in the church parking lot.   On the third Saturday of each month from 9-10, you can drive up and drop off your non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations in the church parking lot. Visit www.saintjudetheapostle.org/food-collection
 
Sandwich Ministry
March 17 and April 21 at 9:30 am in the Parish Hall.
Join us once a month to pack 250 bag lunches for those in poverty at Harbor House and senior residents at Many Mansions in Thousand Oaks. It's fun and a great way to give back to the community. 
 
Blood Drive
March 30 from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm in the Parish Hall
Hosted by The Knights of Columbus Council #8072
Visit https//westlakevillageknights.org
 
Easter Basket Collection
April 5 - 6   | The Easter Basket Collection It is a fun and wonderful way to brighten the Easter holiday for a young child. Baskets are given to Moorpark Catholic Charities, Ventura Catholic Charities, Harbor House in Thousand Oaks and Many Mansions.  We ask that the baskets be wrapped in cellophane and be ready to give to a child.  The baskets can be store bought or handmade for children from infants to 13 years. Please deliver baskets to the parish hall from April 5-6.  For details visit www.saintjudetheapostle.org/easterbasketcollection
 
Easter Offering
Visit the parish website to make a one time or reoccurring donation using our online giving program, WeShare. Our parish is grateful for your continued support at this time. Visit WeShare. Thank you!