Liturgy
2016-2017
Sunday Lectionary Cycle
The year of Matthew
Pastoral Resources : Mrs Nancy AUBE
P.O. Box 460, 645 Murray Avenue
Bathurst, NB E2A 3Z4
Telephone : (506) 546-1420
Fax : (506) 546-1423
Email : nancya@nb.aibn.com
Sunday Lectionary Cycle
Lent is the yearly celebration by the Church of its corporate conversion in Jesus Christ. During Lent, the liturgy prepares catechumens to celebrate the Paschal Mystery by the various stages of Christian initiation. It also prepares the faithful for Easter as they recall their baptism and do penance in preparation for the greatest Feast of the year.
Lent has two major purposes : I recalls or prepares for baptism, and emphasizes a spirit of penance. Through forty days of closer attention to God's Word and of more fervent prayer, believers are prepared to celebrate the Paschal Mystery.
Lasting 33 or 34 weeks and covering fully two-thirds of the Church's year of grace, Ordinary Time is a quieter period.
Ordinary Time is observed as two (2) periods of the year: