In the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, parishioners in the Springfield Diocese celebrated the first worldwide Word of God Sunday, the feast of St. Blaise, Mardi Gras — and more!

The Mardi Gras King and Queen of St. Michael's Cathedral Parish pose in the Bishop Marshall Center during the annual Mardi Gras celebration.

Parishioners of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Springfield mark the first Word of God Sunday on Jan. 26. Pope Francis declared this annual observance to encourage Catholics to read and study the Bible.

A young worshiper at St. Michael's Cathedral receives the Blessing of the Throat as the parish observed the recent feast of St. Blaise.

Parishioners of St. Michael's Cathedral Parish in Springfield recently collected "Prayer Bears" to bring to the homebound.