From the Desk of Fr. Paul - 4th Week of Lent: Preparing for Holy Week

As we begin this Fourth Week of Lent we are at the half-way mark of our annual penitential journey; and nearer to the great celebration of Easter.  As we continue to respond to the invitation of Lent I want to alert you to the times and details of celebrations in these last weeks, as well as those for Holy Week.

This Friday, March 19th is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.  In this year that Pope Francis has set aside to honor St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, I would invite all who can to come together for the 9:30 am Mass this Friday. Also remember, because it is a Solemnity the obligation to abstain from meat is lifted for the day.

Thursday March 25th is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, again I would urge participation in Mass that morning as a way to commemorate the day.  That evening from 6:30 to 8:00 pm I will be available for the private celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Penance Room.  

On the evening of Palm Sunday, March 28th we will gather for a Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation with General Confession and General Absolution, as permitted again by Archbishop Hebda for Lent this year.  The Penance Service will be at 6:00pm and it will be live-streamed.

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week 2021, there will be the distribution and Blessing of Palms at the Saturday 4:30 pm Mass and the 10:00 am Sunday Mass.   There will also be “Holy Week To- Go Bags” for distribution after those Masses and that may be picked up at church (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week) for those unable to attend Mass in person Palm Sunday weekend.

The schedule for Holy Week is as follows:
Tuesday and Wednesday morning, March 30/31, Mass at 9:30 am

Holy Thursday, April 1 – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7:00 pm followed by All Night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 9:30 am Friday morning. [The Adoration/Prayer Chapel will be in our Hospitality Room]

Good Friday, April 2 – 9:30 am Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours; 3:00 pm Solemn Stations of the Cross; and 7:00 pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.

Holy Saturday, April 3 – 9:30 am Morning Prayer; 12:00 Noon Blessing of Easter Food (Church Parking Lot, weather permitting); 8:30 pm Easter Vigil in the Holy Night and Easter Eucharist.

Easter Sunday, April 4 – 8:15 am (JUST ADDED) & 10:00 am Easter Sunday Mass.

Let us take every opportunity to celebrate these wonderful moments of prayer, the sacraments and especially the Eucharist in the holy days ahead either in person or via live-stream, so we can enter more deeply into the mystery and beauty of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Many Blessings!
Father Paul