Sunday, February 3 — Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. A suggested reading is Matthew 5: 1-12.

Sunday, February 3 — Setsubun Sai; this Shinto celebration marks the coming of spring with a cleansing ceremony accompanied by shouts of: “Devils out, Good Fortune in.”

Wednesday, February 6 — Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence, begins the 40-day Christian observance of the liturgical season of Lent. Ashes are signed on foreheads of the faithful as a mark of penitence.

Thursday, February 7 — Chinese New Year begins a 15-day festival for Chinese people of Buddhist, Confucian and Daoist beliefs. Traditional religious ceremonies honour Heaven and Earth. Kung Hei Fat Choi!