It seems hard to believe, but with Easter coming so early this year, Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, is just three weeks away. Preparations are underway in many of our churches for events that signal the beginning of the Lenten Season.

St. Hyacinth's annual pre-lenten Mardi Gras will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, after the 5 p.m. Mass. A Polish meal will be served. Tickets may be purchased at the rectory at 299 Clark St., Auburn or after either the 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. Mass, starting Jan. 19, 20, 26 and 27, at the church, 59 Pulaski St., Auburn. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. The price for adults is $7, $3 for children under 12, and children under five are free. There will be music, games and door prizes, and it is sure to be a great time for all to enjoy.

The classic Christian movie “The Bible Passion” will be shown at the First United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the church on the corner of South Street and Fitch Avenue; the night before Ash Wednesday.

The film will be shown on the church's big screen, and there will be treats to enjoy before the Lenten fast begins.

There will be plenty of ice cream and fixings for make-your-own-sundaes and banana splits. The public is encouraged to come. For more information, call 253-0377.

Sacred Heart Church will also be hosting a Mardi Gras celebration in its parish hall on Melrose Road. This will take place from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 2, and will include appetizers provided by Balloon's Restaurant along with wine, beer and soda. Music will be provided by Sam Giangreco. The cost is $10 per person.

Also coming up at Sacred Heart is its annual wine tasting party held Friday, Jan. 18 and its CYO Ziti Dinner held Saturday, Jan. 26. Contact the parish office at 252-7271 for more information.

Each year, the week from Jan. 18 through 25 is set aside as a week of prayer for Christian Unity around the world. Here in Auburn a service is being planned for the end of that week at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the First United Methodist Church on the corner of South Street and Fitch Avenue in Auburn. Everyone is welcome to join in prayer for one another and be reminded of all that unites us as followers of Jesus.

A two-part series on “Women of the Bible” will be presented by Mike Cuddy from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14 and 21, in the Holy Family School building, side entrance, last classroom on the left. Everyone is welcome, and special thanks goes out to Mike Cuddy for leading this class.

Monday, Jan. 21, is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday that will be marked by many events all across the country in memory of this great man.

I can not help but be reminded of him when I listen to Barack Obama. He speaks with the eloquence of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy combined.

Did you ever think the day would come when two of the front runners in the United States presidential race would be a woman and an African-American man? What a great country we live in and how far we have come!

Would you like to help promote the culture of life? You can help a local student attend the National March for Life in Washington, DC. On Jan. 22, hundreds of thousands will gather from all over the country to peacefully protest legalized abortion.

Eight students from Tyburn Academy would like to participate and the cost is $135 each.

If you can help support these students, please mail your donation to Tyburn Academy, 17 Clymer St., Att'n: Mary Schultz.

Don't forget that Christian recording artist, Christopher Ames, will be performing at 7 tonight, at the United Church of Auburn, 77 Metcalf Drive.

The concert is free with a free will offering taken. CDs will be available for sale and refreshments will be provided. Please call 252-4397 for more information.

Have a great week, and remember, God loves you.

“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”

- Kahlil Gibran

Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com