March 9 is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent when we call to mind the burdens Jesus suffered and the cross he had to bear for our sake. Beginning Ash Wednesday you will find small, white paper crosses in a basket on the table in the gathering area. You are asked to take one home and reflect on your own personal burdens, prayer intentions or needs, write your prayer intention on the cross and return it to church in the empty basket on the table. Your crosses will be pinned to our large sanctuary cross throughout Lent. Our community is asked to pray for these special intentions during Lent and, they will be prayed for during the Prayers of the Faithful at all weekend Masses. During Holy Week they will be taken down and placed at the foot of the cross throughout the Easter season. This is a very powerful, prayerful activity in which our entire community is asked to take part in by praying for the needs of one another. This is a perfect opportunity for our community to continually pray for our loved ones who are fighting for freedom or for those who are away from the church.