The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. the corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God: He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise.  But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you.  If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?

ASH WEDNESDAY SECOND COLLECTION
The second collection on Ash Wednesday will benefit our local Catholic Charities of Acadiana. Please help as we serve Christ by helping others.

WEDNESDAYS AT 12:05 NOON & 5:30 PM MASS & FRIDAYS AT 12:05 NOON
Our Lord in the Gospel for Ash Wednesday, St. Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-18, speaks of three components that should be part of the life of every Christian: almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Lent reminds us of these holy practices and should help us increase in love for Our Lord and His Will. In Lent many attend Mass more frequently and increase mental prayer and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. We are given opportunities to fast and abstain on Fridays. The collections on Wednesdays and Fridays, our traditional penitential days, will be used for the needy of the parish, including such things as assistance to the poor and other charities.

OPERATION RICE BOWL 
We ask that you all participate in a national program of selfdenial and helping others by joining in this year's Operation Rice Bowl. Cardboard rice bowls will be available at the doors of the Church on the First Sunday of Lent. Please be sure to take one home during Lent. Then bring the contents (the sum of what you would have spent on a family meal one night per week) to a Palm Sunday Mass. Our contributions will be used in part by the Catholic Relief Services overseas development projects through which the participants learn to become self-sufficient. A portion of our contributions will also be allocated to anti-poverty efforts in our diocese. Recipes can be found at www.crsricebowl.org.

40 CANS FOR LENT FOOD DRIVE KICKOFF WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
This Food Drive, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 1286, will begin on Ash Wednesday and will continue throughout Lent. The program is simple - collect one can of food per day during the 40 days of Lent. Drop off the cans any time throughout the Lenten Season in the boxes located at all doors of the Cathedral. Donations will be accepted at all Sunday Masses during Lent. If you would prefer to donate all of your 40 CANS on a single day, the Knights of Columbus Hall will be open and accepting your donation. Proceeds will benefit our Community Partners: St. Joseph Diner, FoodNet, and Catholic Charities.

“ADOPT - A - TOMB” CORPORAL WORK OF MERCY
The latest endeavor is an on-going project to document, repair, and restore the unique above ground tombs in St. John Cemetery. A number of tombs are in dire need of your care by cleaning and/or painting. We are asking parishioners to adopt this as a “family Lenten project.” Please call Brady in our Cemetery Office (232-1322) for more info. “Let us teach our children our unique local tradition of taking care of the tombs of our loved ones.”