Lent, forty days of reflection, prayer, penance, fasting, and almsgiving leading toward Holy Week and the Triduum, begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5.  On Ash Wednesday, Liturgy of the Word with the Distribution of Ashes will be held at 7:00 a.m.  Masses will be held at 8:15 a.m. (School Mass), 6:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. (Spanish).

Our Ash Wednesday offertory collections will benefit the Joint Organization for Inner-city Needs (JOIN). JOIN, located at 578 E Main St. in downtown Columbus, is an agency of the Diocese’s Catholic Charities Office.  Sharing God’s love and message, through the assistance we provide, is our daily aspiration.  Because of

the generosity throughout our Diocese, JOIN is able to help our neighbors with their essential needs such as food, personal care, household items and diapers.  We are also able to assist with their more intricate hardships such as prescriptions, utilities, birth certificates and transportation.  The Ash Wednesday collection of your church and others is instrumental in our mission to serve our neighbors. All donations go directly to improve the quality of life for those we serve.  This Ash Wednesday collection is a significant way to begin Lent. On behalf of all of us here at JOIN, as well as the sisters and brothers we serve, thank you for all you do through your own ministries as well as the Ash Wednesday collection. You are always welcome to visit JOIN or feel free to call or email Lisa Keita, director of JOIN, at lkeita@columbuscatholic.org.