Ways to Pray
Daily Mass
Monday – Saturday
8:15 am (Church & Livestream)
“In the Eucharist is all the power that created the universe and all the love that redeemed it!” Join us for daily Mass and receive the Lord’s power & love to help you meet the challenges of each day.

Ash Wednesday – February 22
Join us for the Mass and distribution of ashes:
6:30 am, 8:15 am*, and 7 pm (Church & Livestream*)
Restore
Guided Lenten Prayer, Journal & Bonus weekly videos and discussion
Each week during Lent, we will spotlight one book from our Parish Book Rack and a short review by a fellow parishioner.
This week, Check out Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT. Take a healing journey with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, as she helps you turn away from what wounds you and toward God, who heals you and makes you whole. A beautiful guided journey of prayer, meditation, journaling, and note-taking.
BONUS OPPORTUNITY – sign up for weekly videos from Sr. Miriam and have the chance to come together with other parishioners for book discussion time!
Visit www.olphparish.org/books for the list of books and here to sign up for the videos/book discussion.
Fellow OLPH friends have compiled a list of some of their favorite religious and spiritual books to assist your Lenten walk. Our prayer is that before Easter arrives, perhaps one or several of the books shared are also among your favorites. Each week in Lent, look forward to Book Reviews from these suggestions. Visit OLPHParish.org/books

This Lent, be sure to take advantage of the Hallow App with its rich content library, audiobooks, tools to personalize your prayer experience, and more. Download Hallow in your app store or desktop at https://hallow.com/holydaypackage/, and search for “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” (select the Ellicott City option). You’ll have full access to the paid app through Easter.
Fasting & Abstinence
Catholics, age 14 and over, are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during the season of Lent. Adult Catholics, ages 18 through 59, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is observed by eating only one full meal and two lighter meals that day and by refraining from eating between meals. Individuals who are pregnant, nursing, or ill are excused from these norms.
Fasting Benefits
- Fasting awakens the heart to the intimate presence of God in one’s soul.
- Fasting encourages more serious reflection about the priorities in our lives.
- Fasting strengthens our sense of dependence upon God.
- Fasting sharpens our sensitivity to the spiritual dimension of life.
- Fasting strengthens our ability to say ‘yes’ to God and ‘no’ to sin.
- Fasting develops a greater appreciation for the gifts of God, especially food and drink.
- Fasting purifies us spiritually as well as physically.
Meatless Meals
- Meatless meals on the Fridays of Lent should be simple and sacrificial and lead us to reach out in generosity to those less fortunate through some act of charity.
- The classic form of fasting involves giving up food or drink. Yet as we choose to give up something that distracts from valuable use of our time, we create room for good habits and gain control over our lives – the same control needed to say “yes” to God. In place of television or video games, take action to spend time with those we love, in quiet prayer with God, or in acts of service to others.
40 Days for Life
A Special Call to Prayer and Fasting for an End to Abortion
Knowing that “with God, all things are possible,” people of faith and conscience unite in 40 days of prayer and fasting. This Lent, our parish is again joining a nationwide, ecumenical prayer event to help bring an end to abortion. 40 Days for Life is a peaceful, Christ-like prayer vigil with participants committing to prayer for one hour per week. Prayer can take place outside of the Hillcrest Clinic on Rt. 40, or at home or in church. For more information, visit www.40daysforlife.com.
Ways to Give

Almsgiving is closely tied to fasting – whatever we save (money or time) should be offered to the needy. For a comprehensive list of ways to serve, visit https://olphparish.org/our-parish-life/how-can-i-serve/
SALT
Just as salt is a necessary part of life, so is the Christian called to be a necessary part of the world! SALT, an OLPH outreach ministry, is a hands-on ministry serving the poor and needy of Baltimore City. There are many expressions of SALT, and one that fits you! To learn more about SALT and find your perfect place of service in Him, visit www.olphparish.org/salt.
St Vincent Casserole Program
Thank you for donating a casserole to support the needy in our community. OLPH casserole donations are currently used for Elizabeth House/FISH in Laurel and SALT. They are greatly appreciated! Please pick up the pans the weekend of March 25/26 and return the pans to the Parish kitchen the weekend of April 1/2. We will gladly accept pans you may have at home from the previous month! Thank you for the gift of your time!
Poor Box Collections
Help support those in need by contributing to our Poor Box during Lent. The parish receives numerous requests each day for help. Your donations support the great works of OLPH St. Vincent in meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters. Thank you for your continued generosity!
Volunteer at a Soup Supper
OLPH will host a series of Soup Suppers on several Fridays in Lent in solidarity with our friends living below the margins. The intention is for guests to enjoy a modest meal while donating what would have been the cost for a traditional Friday meal out — such as Pizza or burgers at a restaurant — to the Poor Box.
Meet with Jesus
The Church adores the real presence of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration when the consecrated host is visible in the monstrance for prayer and worship. This Lent, spend some quiet time in the presence of the Lord’s peace, healing and spiritual refreshment. Oh, Come, Let us Adore Him!
The chapel is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm for all visitors.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance (Adoration) from Wednesdays at 9 am through Saturdays at 8 am.
After-hours access is available upon request at www.olphparish.org/access
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesdays, 11 am-12 Noon & 6 pm to 7 pm continues (including Ash Wednesday)
Fridays, 4-6 pm (2 priests)
Through this sacrament, the mercy of the love of Jesus breaks the power of shame and hurt of sin and restores our relationship with God. Come, and experience the power of the Father’s love waiting for you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
All Reconciliation times are in the Church, with one exception – anyone desiring outdoor confession is welcome to contact the parish office, and we can arrange to meet at the beginning or end of a time (or another time altogether)

Penance Service
Monday, March 27, 7 pm
Multiple priests will assist our OLPH priests in hearing confessions and providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Additional Times for Reconciliation
Mon, March 20: 4-6 pm
Sat, March 25: 1-4 pm
Sat, Apr 1, 1-4 pm
Mon, Apr 3, 4-6 pm
Tues, Apr 4, 4-6 pm
Wed, 11 am-12 Noon & 6-7 pm (last opportunity before Easter)
Reconciliation during Easter Week
No confessions on Wednesday, Apr 12
Fri, Apr 14, 4-6 pm
From Apr 14 forward, we return to the regular Wed. thru Fri. schedule.

Each Friday in Lent – 6-6:50 pm
2/24 through 3/24, except Good Friday
OLPH will host a series of Soup Suppers on several Fridays in Lent in solidarity with our friends living below the margins. The intention is for guests to enjoy a modest meal while donating what would have been the cost for a traditional Friday meal out — such as Pizza or burgers at a restaurant — to the Poor Box.

Each Friday in Lent – 2 & 7 pm
2/24 through 3/31
Join us for this beautiful Lenten devotional that commemorates Jesus’ last day on earth as we walk with Him on the path to Calvary.
Begins Feb 27th
Small groups are offered on Tues. 9 AM, Tues. 7 PM or Sat. noon, beginning the week of Feb. 27th
Only four women in the two thousand–year history of the Church—Thérèse of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, and Hildegard of Bingen—have the distinction of being named Doctors of the Church because of their impact on the faith. Each week offers a unique and in-depth experience of the saint and her unique gifts to the Church. Then weekly, you will have the option of joining a small group discussion about the saint for that week.
Friday | March 3rd & 31st
Festival of Praise
7:30 pm
Join us as we move from Stations of the Cross into our monthly Festival of Praise, where we pray, praise, and worship our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The evening concludes with an opportunity to receive prayer from a prayer team.
Church & Livestream.
Saturday | March 11
At the Shrine of St. Anthony
9 am- 1 pm
OLPH Men’s Ministry will sponsor a “Lenten Hike at the Shrine of St. Anthony” on Saturday (3/11) 9 AM-1 PM. Get your weekend started with a Saturday morning hike on the trails of The Shrine in Ellicott City. Coffee will be available at 9 AM, an easy hike for an hour, and some prayer/fellowship before Confessions at 11 AM. We will end with Noon Mass in the Shrine Chapel and (weather permitting) hamburgers/brats on the grill for lunch before we head home.
A Retreat For Both Men & Women
Sunday | March 12
2-4 pm | Church
The cross enables us to encounter God in the person of Christ. When we consider Christ crucified, can we fully embrace His love for us? Can we appreciate the weight of His cross? Do we see His presence in our lives as we carry our crosses? Come with an expectant heart for God to do His specific work in you. Join us for this 2-hour mini-retreat and step away from the busyness to experience God’s love at an unhurried pace.
Saturday | March 18
6-9 pm
Women of the parish and friends are invited to join us for a Lenten Retreat Evening on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Sr. Albertine Cevallos, OP will share with us the significance of the Holy Week liturgies.
As a bride of Christ, Sister will teach us how to best respond to the tremendous gift of our Bridegroom’s suffering, death, and resurrection and the eternal memorial of the Eucharist.
Monday | March 22
7 pm
OLPH Men’s Ministry will sponsor “Outdoor Stations of the Cross and Bonfire in the Parish Backyard” on Wednesday (3/22) at 7 PM. Join us for this new Lenten tradition as we gather around the Stations (from our original OLPH Church) that surround our bonfire pit in the backyard of the parish office. We will have an opportunity for prayer, fellowship, and a beverage of choice (BYOB) around the fire pit afterward. Don’t forget your camp chair!
Team Forming Until April 2nd
Join the team that transforms our parish church twice a year into the beauty we enjoy for Christmas and Easter. You do not need to have a degree in interior design; often, we need extra hands to help us wrap plants, place them, and set out decorations. This group is a great way to lend a hand just a few times a year.
Want to learn more? Email Barb Smith at smithjbjac@verizon.net.
Saturday | April 1
5-8 pm
A Signature event for OLPH, our Family Dinner Nights offer a delicious home-cooked meal and the opportunity to be with and meet new friends! Bring a group of friends, invite neighbors, BYOB, and enjoy the evening together! Email the parish at olphparish@archbalt.org to join the Family Dinner Night Crew! We can only do this with YOU!

PALM SUNDAY – April 2, 2023
Palms will be blessed and distributed by Ministers of Hospitality at all weekend Masses
Saturday, Vigil,
4:30 pm
Sunday
7:30 am
9 am (livestreamed)
11 am
5 pm

HOLY THURSDAY – April 6, 2023
8:15 am – Morning Prayer
7:00 pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by a procession to the Altar of Repose in the Parish Center for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight. (in-person & livestreamed)

GOOD FRIDAY – April 7, 2023
(No 8:15 am Mass, No 4 pm Confessions)
8:15 am – Morning Prayer
3:00 pm (livestreamed) & 7:00 pm
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, including Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion

HOLY SATURDAY – April 8, 2023
(No 8:15 am or 4:30 pm Masses)
8:15 am – Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Easter Food in Church

HOLY SATURDAY – April 8
Blessing of the Easter Food
With 8:15 am Prayer, in the Church
EASTER VIGIL MASS – April 8/9
8:15 pm – Easter Vigil Mass (in-person & livestream)
*Note: there is no Saturday 4:30 pm Mass on Saturday, April 8
The Easter Vigil begins between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil Mass is held and is the first official celebration of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection from the dead. This night’s vigil is the greatest and most holy of all solemnities in the Catholic Church.
The Easter Vigil consists of four parts:
- The Service of Light
- Liturgy of the Word
- Liturgy of Baptism
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
EASTER SUNDAY – April 9
Easter Masses are celebrated at:
Mass of the Resurrection, 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am
*Note: there is no Sunday 5 pm Mass on Easter Sunday, April 9