lent

After yet another snowstorm this week, spring seems a long way off, but theologically speaking, it could be just around the corner.

Rev. Kristofer Lindh-Payne of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Timonium aims to connect with people beyond church walls with programs like Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday.

Many people who seldom go to church make a concerted effort to attend to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. It is an annual ritual. As a boy, I recall churches opening at 6 a.m., so people could get their ashes before work. It seemed a curious thing to do, accepting a cross of ash on one's forehead -- a symbol of our mortality and repentance. The ashes are a visible reminder that we are always searching for our souls, seeking the meaning of life.

Start of Lent also a time for fundraisers

Brigitte Peters, at the Office of Tourism, and I are making the parade list for the March 4 Mardi Gras parade at 6:30 p.m. down Bourbon Street from the high school, to Washington Street into downtown, ending on St. John Street at Legion Square and David Craig Park at Lafayette's Statue

From a Times story about taxes and Columbia: "It appears certain that there will be no proposal for legislation to set up a special tax district for Columbia, introduced in this year's session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Kitchen workers are busy at St. James United Methodist Church. The annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is set for March 4, 5-7 p.m.

All in all, it's a busy holiday season unto itself. Still, the winter holiday season just doesn't seem to have the cache of the one that spans Thanksgiving to the turn of the new year. Maybe we're too partied out to really put that much into it.

Creating winter interest in the garden

Virginia Thorndike designed her garden as a spiritual retreat, positioning plants in ways that draw on ancient religious practices. Laid out in a half circle, the garden is bisected by a waterfall that ends in a pond at the base of a hill.

Worshipers at a West Baltimore church donated more than 1,000 pieces of clothing to a prison re-entry program as part of their Easter Sunday services.

Our local Girl Scout Thinking Day, which was enjoyed by girls from Daisy Scouts through Seniors last month, was planned and executed as part of Junior Troop 2264's Bronze Award. The girls chose Asia as the theme, rather than a single country.

Havre de Grace community notes

Three deer scurried past the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen as Steve Thomas and his wife, Debbie, arrived for Sunday Mass to celebrate the new spiritual leader for Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis.

Happy St. Patrick's Day on Sunday, March 17. Remember to wear something green and declare your "Irishness." March is Irish-American Heritage Month. Erin go bragh! March is a time to remember the many ways that America is enriched and strengthened by contributions from people of Irish heritage

Jim Dryden with the Friends of the Concord Point Lighthouse informed me about the 2013 volunteer orientation and briefing to be held March 9 at 10 a.m. at the Havre de Grace Police Department meeting room. Information? Call 410-939-3213 or email concordpointlighthouse@verizon.net

St. Patrick's Day and Easter activities fill the month of March.

Rodgers Forge columnist Sheila Peter writes about Ravens Super Bowl parties, Patriot and Defender Program at elementary school and drills at Dumbarton Middle.

Will the old adage of lions and lambs ring true? Will we be in like a lion an out like a lamb, or in like a lamb and out like a lion? One never knows. Will March be traditionally windy? Hold onto your hat and we shall see

The moon reaches its ¿fullest¿ phase at 3:26 p.m. today, so when it rises at about 6:05 p.m., it will be shining brightly, with clear skies expected. The International Space Station will meanwhile make a few passes over Maryland this week, but clouds could block it.

This year's celebration in Havre de Grace was a substantial step up from the original Mardi Gras parade in the city six years ago, but it is just a small version of what goes on in New Orleans.

The Darlington/ Dublin Community Council will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Conowingo Visitors Center. Arden McClune will give a presentation on the Parks & Rec Element of the Master Land Use Plan. The March meeting will feature Erin Ferriter, who will discuss sustainability programs in Harford County.

Leta Dunham got a breakfast order to go on Roland Avenue Wednesday morning: a grande triple skim latte in her cup, and on her forehead, an ashen reminder that we are all destined to dust.

In a new twist on a centuries-old tradition, the Rev. Sheila McJilton of St. Philip¿s Episcopal Church offered Ashes to Go at the Laurel MARC station during the morning commute on Ash Wednesday.

Bourbon Street was lit up with brightly colored floats, costumes and lights for Mardi Gras Tuesday night.

For Harford County's Catholic residents, the annual Lent season is a time to reflect on how they can improve as people.

Catholic leaders in Howard County react to Pope Benedict XVI's abrupt resignation announcement Monday, Feb. 11, and look ahead to the future of the Catholic Church and the papacy.

Join me Tuesday, Feb. 12 for the Havre de Grace Mardi Gras Parade at 6:30 p.m. down Bourbon Street from the high school, to Washington Street into downtown, ending on St. John and Warren streets at Legion Square and the American Legion Post 47 parking lot. Grab some beads! The party continues at downtown restaurants and taverns. For details, phone the Office of Tourism, 410-939-2100 or me at the phone number printed here.

Shrove Tuesday feasts precede Lenten season

The Super Bowl has created a veritable cottage industry of parties surrounding it, and nowhere is this more evident than in the XLVII game in New Orleans, a city that knows how to have fun. Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49er fans join athletes and celebrities enjoying the city's food, drinks and hospitality.

Baltimore chefs with New Orleans' roots share game day-ready recipes for the Super Bowl.

Safe Routes to School program begin on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Rodgers Forge Elementary School Library; two new members named to Rodgers Forge Community Association Board of Governors

St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Timonium has merged with Grace English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lutherville Timonium.

Friday is Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles, as well as 17 other Major League teams. But it is also Good Friday, the most solemn day in Christianity, and the first day of Judaism's Passover, a confluence of events that is giving some fans theological pause.

St. Paul's Independent Church will host a series of Revival Services in the church sanctuary located at 5010 St. Paul's Road, Millers, MD 21102 beginning each evening at 6:30 p.m. from Monday, March 26 through Friday, March 30.