Lent Planning Checklist

ADVANCE PREPARATION 

Six weeks before Lent 

□ In years B & C, decide which cycle of readings to use on 3rd, 4th & 5th Sundays.

□ Inform those who make music choices of this decision. 

□ Order paschal candle.

Four weeks before Lent

□ Liturgy committee finalises planning for Lent:

□ missal and lectionary texts,

□ environment and symbol,

□ gestures and movement,

□ times of silence,

□ worship aids.

□ Finalise and distribute music selection for Lent. 

□ Schedule & publicise times for Ash Wednesday services.

□ Schedule & publicise times of Stations of the Cross or other Lenten devotions. 

□ Ask parishioners to bring last year’s blessed palms to make ashes.

Two weeks before Lent

□ Schedule times of Easter ceremonies and communal reconciliation.

□ Make arrangements for taking ashes to housebound on Ash Wednesday.

□ Prepare Lenten symbols.

□ Source palms for Passion Sunday.

□ Bulletin insert and announcement about fasting & abstinence on Ash Wednesday. 

One week before Lent

□ Make ashes by burning last year’s blessed branches. 

□ Clear everything superfluous from the sanctuary, nave and entrance of the church.

□ Inform readers if using year A readings on 3rd, 4th & 5th Sundays in years B & C. 

□ Bulletin insert and announcement about fasting & abstinence on Ash Wednesday. 

CEREMONIES

Ash Wednesday 

□ purple vestments and hangings.

□ ashes in bowls for distribution.

□ ministers to assist with distribution.

□ cloths for wiping fingers after distribution

First Sunday of Lent 

□ purple vestments and hangings.

□ Preface – The Temptation of the Lord. 

□ Include candidates celebrating Rite of Election in intercessions, homily, announcements. 

First Week of Lent 

□ Publicise schedule of Easter services on the parish bulletin, website, church door, outdoor signs.

□ Recruit ministers, especially greeters and hospitality ministers for Triduum liturgies.

□ Finalise and distribute music schedule for Easter. 

Second Sunday of Lent 

□ purple vestments and hangings.

□ Preface – The Transfiguration of the Lord. 

Second Week of Lent

□ Prepare and distribute ministry rosters for the Triduum liturgies.

□ Liturgy committee finalises planning for Triduum liturgies:

□ missal and lectionary texts,

□ leaders’ orders of service

□ environment and symbol,

□ gestures and movement,

□ worship aids.

□ Prepare for Communal Reconciliation– texts, leaders, readers, musicians.

Third Sunday of Lent 

□ purple vestments and hangings.

□ RCIA First Scrutiny – see RCIA 137-143 & Ritual Masses: Christian Initiation for Collect, Prayer over Offerings, Prayer after Communion and special forms for Eucharistic Prayer I

□ Preface – Samaritan Woman (or Preface I or II of Lent if different Gospel used).

□ Invite parish to RCIA Presentation of the Creed if being held during week. 

Third Week of Lent

□ RCIA Presentation of the Creed – see RCIA 144 -150

Fourth Sunday of Lent 

□ purple vestments and hangings.

□ RCIA Second Scrutiny – see RCIA 151-157 & Ritual Masses as for First Scrutiny

□ Preface – Man Born Blind (or Preface I or II of Lent if different Gospel used).

Fourth Week of Lent

□ Rehearse Triduum liturgies where necessary.

Fifth Sunday of Lent 

□ purple vestments and hangings.

□ RCIA Third Scrutiny – see RCIA 158 -164 & Ritual Masses as for First Scrutiny

□ Preface – Lazarus (or Preface I or II of Lent if different Gospel used).

Fifth Week of Lent

□ RCIA Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer – see RCIA 165 - 171.

□ Communal Reconciliation.

Palm Sunday

□ red vestments and hangings

□ order of service in folder for presider, copies to MC, coordinator, organist & choir director

□ extra texts and microphones for Passion

□ speaker system, palms, processional cross, holy water, sprinkler, texts ready for Entrance

□ gospel proclaimed without incense or candles

□ other items normally prepared for Mass