SCARBOROUGH — St. John Paul II Parish announces its Lenten season Mass schedules, spiritual programming, social events, faith formation opportunities and charitable efforts spanning from March into April.

Spiritual Programming

The schedule for Ash Wednesday services and Masses on Wednesday, April 2 can be viewed on https://jp2me.org/events/ash-wednesday-2022

The Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion on Fridays that offers witness to the Jesus’ Passion and Death. At each station we use our senses, our imagination to reflect prayerfully upon Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection and to simply experience Christ’s abundant love for us. View the schedule or pray along  virtually at https://jp2me.org/stations-of-the-cross

Lent is a time to deeply reflect on one’s relationship with Jesus. “The Light is on for You” offers parishioners an extra opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which turns one’s heart and life back to Jesus, who wants parishioners to come, be forgiven and receive the many graces when preparing one’s hearts for Easter. To view the schedule for this special gift visit https://jp2me.org/lenten-reconciliation

Tenebrae Service — At 7 p.m. on Monday, April 11 at St. Maximilian Kolbe (150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, the service of Tenebrae, or darkness, that grew out of a combination of Night Prayer and early Morning Prayer takes place. A series of Scripture readings commemorating Jesus’ final week, ending with his burial is also part of the service. At the end of each reading a candle is snuffed out, until the final candle, the Christ candle, is carried out, leaving the room in darkness. This is a powerful experience of Christ’s passion and death and a beautiful way to prepare for the Sacred Triduum. To learn more go to https://jp2me.org/events/tenebrae-2022

Charitable Efforts

40 Cans of Lent — Join the “40 Cans for Lent” effort organized by Knights of Columbus Councils #8144, #11747 and #2344 to donate 5,000 pounds of food to the South Portland Food Cupboard. For more information, go to: https://jp2me.org/40-cans-of-lent

Faith-Formation Opportunities

Join Michelle Valcourt on Wednesdays in Lent starting at 9:30 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe,150 Black Point Road, Scarborough. Focusing on the book Restore by Miriam James Heidland SOLT and Valerie Delgado, parishioners will be encountering God through the natural disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving through the lens of healing, wholeness, and communion. The book cost is $10.

Dr. Kenney will be going deeper into the discussions of St. Augustine Confessions with a reading group during Lent. He will be gathering those interested on March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe . He will be using the Oxford paperback edition of Confessions. Those interested in joining a Faith Sharing Group this Lent, contact the Faith Formation office.

Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life, Women’s Faith Sharing Group — led by Kathy Sheehan. This group will be meeting Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Bartholomew, at 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth, throughout Lent starting on March 7. The book draws on the author Deanna Bartalini’s story, sacred Scripture, the lives of the saints, and the wisdom of the Church to explore how to grow in each of the fruits of the Spirit. The book cost is $10.

Ascension Lenten Companion led by Marie Corsello will be meeting at St. Bartholomew on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.. This women’s group likes to pray, share, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and teach them along the way.

Practical Catholicism: Sacraments of Healing — On Monday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Fr. Jack and Michelle Valcourt will be offering the second in a series of back to basics talks on the Catholic faith. This session we will be looking at the role of the church in our spiritual healing, specifically through the sacraments. For those looking for more information about the Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this talk will help with the basics and beyond. All are welcome. This will be live streamed on the parish website as well as in-person.

Social Events

Knights of Columbus Council #8144 hosts weekly Haddock Dinners on Fridays in Lent in the St. Maximilian Kolbe Church Hall from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Meals will be eat-in or take-out and will consist of baked haddock, macaroni and cheese, potato, mixed vegetables, cole slaw, and dessert. Coffee and punch will be available for eat-in meals. The cost for the dinner will be $12. Meal tickets will be available at the Parish Hall with payment by cash or check only. Face masks will be required in the parish hall except when seated at the table eating. Please maintain spacing while in the buffet line. Those 18 years old and under will need to be accompanied by an adult to purchase a ticket, stand in the buffet line, or get dessert.

St. John Paul II Parish consists of St. Bartholomew Parish in Cape Elizabeth, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Scarborough, and  St. John  and  Holy Cross Parish in South Portland.