Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
We will celebrate two liturgies:
9:00 am Mass at St Thomas
with the distribution of ashes
(5:30pm Liturgy at Christ the King)
7:00 pm Liturgy at St Thomas
with the distribution of ashes
online streaming begins at 7pm
and later available on-demand
This week we celebrate Ash Wednesday and begin our observance of Lent – our forty days of preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s Paschal Mystery. We are encouraged to engage in the penitential disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and return to the Lord.
In addition, as we begin our observance of Lent, please remember the church’s discipline regarding fasting and abstinence during this season:
Abstinence
Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.
Fasting
Catholics who are 18 or older, until their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday. Only one full meal is allowed and two smaller meals may be taken according to one’s needs to maintain strength.
