Ash Wednesday, Lenten Friday evening services scheduled at St. Thomas the Apostle Church

Ashes will be distributed during all services that will be held at various times on Ash Wednesday, March 5, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, to mark the beginning of Lent. The Stations of the Cross also will be prayed every Friday evening at the church during Lent.

The schedule for Ash Wednesday with distribution of ashes at each service is:

• 6:30 a.m., Communion service

• 8:30 a.m., Mass

• Noon, Prayer service with ashes distributed until 1 p.m.

• 4:30 p.m., Prayer service led by the Faith Formation Program

• 7 p.m., Mass

The Stations of the Cross, commemorating Christ’s final hours surrounding his crucifixion, will be held at 7 p.m. every Friday, beginning March 7. The service will include prayer, response, song, movement and art to aid in reflecting on Jesus’ greatest act of love for all people.

Having a simple meal while observing Friday as a day of fasting and attending this thought-provoking prayer service — either alone or with family and friends — can be a spirit-lifting practice during Lent.

Further information about Ash Wednesday services or the Stations of the Cross is available by checking the church bulletin online at stapostle.org, or by contacting either St. Thomas Church, at (630) 355-8980, or Scott Knisley, director of liturgy and music at St. Thomas the Apostle, at (630) 355-8980, ext. 111, or sknisley@stapostle.org.

St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God’s unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness, and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,000 households and over 9,000 registered members. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at stapostle.org. For general parish information, call (630) 355-8980.