St Michael and All Angels

 ASH WEDNESDAY (Day of Fast and Abstinence): Mass with the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes will be celebrated at 9.30 a.m., (Low Mass) and 7.00 p.m. (High Mass).  The subject is of Contrition and Forgiveness, the traditional name being derived from the Latin Dies cinerum.  From the earliest times a fast was observed before Easter, although practice about the depth and length of the fast varied.  The present observance was established by Gregory the Great towards the close of the sixth century, the intention being to observe forty days of fasting, with Sundays excepted, in which our sorrow over the Passion and death of Christ is connected with sorrow for the sins which rendered the Sacrifice of the Cross necessary.