Happy Lent! Please come back next week for additional schedule updates for 2026

2026 Schedule for Lent and Easter

Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 18
Wednesday, February 18
Masses with Distribution of Ashes
  • 8 a.m. - St. Mary (English)
  • 8:15 a.m. - St. Nicholas (English)
  • 12 p.m. - St. Mary (English)
  • 5 p.m. - St. Nicholas (Bilingual)
  • 7 p.m. - St. Mary (English)
  • 7:30 p.m. - St. Nicholas (Español) 

There will be various ReLent groups gathering during the Lenten season. A list of the groups with registration information will be available at the doors of both churches on Ash Wednesday.
Bilingual Lenten Reconciliation - Monday, March 23
Monday, March 23
Deanery Lenten Reconciliation Service
  • 7 p.m. - St. Nicholas Church
Additional Reconciliation Opportunities
  • Saturdays beginning at 3:30 p.m.
  • No Confessions on Saturday, April 4
Palm Sunday - Saturday March 28-Sunday March 29
Saturday, March 28
  • Regular Saturday Vigil Mass at St. St. Nicholas

Sunday, March 29
  • ​Regular Sunday Masses at both site
Holy Thursday - Thursday, April 2
Thursday, April 2
  • No 8 a.m. Daily Mass at either site
  • 8 a.m. - Morning Prayer, Parish Center Chapel on the St. Mary Campus
  • 7 p.m. - All-Parish Mass of the Lord's Supper, St. Mary Church
Good Friday - Friday, April 3
  • No 8 a.m. Daily Mass at either site
  • 8 a.m. - Morning Prayer, Parish Center Chapel on the St. Mary Campus
  • 9 a.m. - Neighborhood Way of the Cross, begins at St. Nicholas Church
  • 3 p.m. - Seven Last Words of Christ, with Veneration of the Cross, St. Mary Church
  • 7 p.m. - All-Parish Celebration of the Lord's Passion, St. Nicholas Church
Holy Saturday - Saturday, April 4
  • No 8 a.m. Daily Mass at either site
  • 8 a.m. - Morning Prayer with OCIA Candidates and Catechumens / OCIA Preparation Rites, St. Nicholas Church
  • 1 p.m. - Blessing of the Easter Baskets and Food, St. Nicholas Church
  • No Reconciliation
  • No 5 p.m. Mass
  • 8 p.m. - All-Parish Easter Vigil, St. Nicholas Church
Easter Sunday - Sunday April, 5
Sunday April, 5
  • Regular Sunday Masses at both sites
  • 12 p.m. - Haitian Mass (French), St. Mary Church

Opportunities for Prayer, Reflection, and Community

Weekly Prayer Opportunities
Thursday
  • 7 p.m. - Evening Prayer with Lectio Divina, SN
Friday
  • 12 p.m. - Stations of the Cross (English), SN
  • 7 p.m. - Vía Crucis (Español), SN
  • 7:30 p.m. - Stations of the Cross (Creole), SM
Saturday
  • 7:30 a.m. - Pre-Mass Rosary, SM
  • 8:30 a.m. - Post-Mass Stations of the Cross (English), SM
 
Other Events
Sunday, March 15
Choral Stations of the Cross
  • 3 p.m. - St. Mary Church
Monday, March 23
Lenten Reconciliation Service
  • 7 p.m. - St. Nicholas Church (Bilingual)
Friday, March 6
  • 6 p.m. - Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, Oldershaw Hall, St. Nicholas Campus

Weekly Open Lent Groups
Lent Groups that are open to the public

Dinner & A Movie Group
  • Potluck Dinner followed by movies from the popular culture that lead into discussion on Lenten/Spiritual journey themes Call Karie Ferrell for movie list
  • All ages, 21 and older, teens 16+ with a parent
  • Contact: Karie Ferrell, [email protected]
  • Wednesdays, 6:30- 9:00 p.m.
  • St. Mary Parish Center, Lower Level

Evening Prayer with Lectio Divina
  • Open to all ages, no limit on membership; drop-ins welcome
  • Contact: John Schuchert, [email protected]; or Sue Garthwait, [email protected]
  • Thursdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
  • In St. Nicholas Church
 
Parent Lenten Groups
  • Reflecting on the current day’s Scriptures, parent leaders will take turns facilitating. Weekly materials will be provided.
  • Open to parents of children of any age
  • Contact: Karie Ferrell, [email protected]
  • Sundays of Lent during R.E. Class Times, 9-10:15 am at PJ23 School
  • Sundays of Lent during R.E. Class Times ,11:15-12:30 pm at St. Mary’s Parish Center
 
Lenten Scripture Study Group
  • Reflects on the Sunday scripture from the Sunday before
  • Open to the public, but the space is not handicapped accessible
  • Contact: Sr. Christina, [email protected]
  • Mondays, 1:00 p.m.  In St. Nicholas Rectory
 
Out & About in Evanston
  • Reflects on the Sunday scripture from the Sunday before
  • Open to the public, all ages
  • Contact: Annie Kvasnicka, [email protected], 847.962.2112
  • Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
  • In various locations: Robert Crown Lobby, Hoosier Mama Pie, Levy Center Lobby, Sketchbook
 
Exploring Catholic Prayers, Devotions, and Pilgrimages
  • Lead by Shelley & Jon Benson
  • Open to the public, all ages
  • Contact: [email protected]
  • Tuesdays at 8:45-9:45 a.m. In the Gathering Space of St. Mary Church

Check back throughout Lent for updates and more events!

Additional Lenten Resources

Daily Inspiration for Your Lenten Journey (2026 Calendar) | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
National Pastoral Migratoria Lenten Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) | English | Spanish
What is Lent? | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Fasting & Abstinence | USCCB
Women's Voices During Lent | Catholic Women Preach
Hallow | Catholic Meditation App (90-day free trial available during Lent)
Lenten Activities for Families | Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl