Join us for Holy Week

Join us for Holy Week

The most sacred time in the Church’s calendar is Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday (March 28) and ending with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus during the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses. All are welcome to join us either virtually or in-person for the liturgies of Holy Week.

While the pandemic will slightly alter some traditional Holy Week practices, the liturgies will closer resemble what the faithful are used to for this solemn observance. Masks are required for all in-person attendance and social distancing measures are still in place during this time.

Masses for Palm Sunday will be held at 4:30pm on Saturday, March 27 and 9am and 11am on Sunday March 28. Palms will be available AFTER all Masses on tables in the vestibule and on tables outside the doors to the church and the rectory for those who are still virtually attending Mass but would like to pick them up. Those attending Mass in-person should plan on stopping at the table as they are leaving the church so as to not inadvertently leave palms in the pews after Mass. Parishioners will remain in their pews during the beginning of Mass and a small group of liturgical ministers will participate in the short procession that traditionally begins the Palm Sunday liturgy.

On Tuesday of Holy Week, the parish will hold its normal evening Mass at 6:45pm followed by Stations of the Cross. The Mass and Stations will be livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel. In addition, Bishop Malesic will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass in the cathedral on Tuesday evening at 7pm. For those not partaking in the parish liturgy, you can watch the livestream on the diocesan website.

As we get closer to the Sacred Triduum (Thursday thru Saturday), join us on Wednesday, March 31 for a Holy Week prayer service. The service will include scripture and music and will begin at 6:45pm.

The Sacred Triduum (holy three days) begins on Holy Thursday, April 1. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 6:45pm. At the beginning of Mass, the parish will recieve the holy oils that were blessed by Bishop Malesic at the diocesan Chrism Mass.

The liturgy commemorates the institution of the Mass when Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles and shared the Last Supper with them. While following the precautions requested by the diocese, a small group of parishioners will have their foot washed during this liturgy. In addition, the closing Eucharistic procession will conclude with the Eucharist being reposed in the main body of the church until 10pm. Due to social distancing, a larger space is needed for adoration that would normally take place in the chapel.

On Good Friday, join members of the parish youth ministry as they lead the Outdoor Stations of the Cross at 12pm. Weather permitting, we will walk through the streets near the parish while praying the Stations. All are asked to wear a piece of red clothing as a symbol of our faith. Even though the Stations are outdoors, masks are still required for those joining us for this devotion.

At 3pm on Good Friday, the Church commemorates Jesus’ passion and death as the liturgy of the Sacred Triduum continues. This part of the Triduum liturgy begins with the reading of the Passion. This year, instead of the traditional adoration of the cross with a kiss, the faithful will be provided time in silent prayer rather than physically approaching the cross. The Good Friday service also includes the distribution of Holy Communion.

Holy Saturday will see the parish return the custom of the blessing of Easter food, however, there will only be a single blessing beginning at 11am. Baskets can be brought to the church where Father Mike and Deacon Don will lead the blessing.

The Mother of all Vigils, the Easter Vigil, takes place on Saturday evening at 8:30pm. The church will be plunged into darkness until the Easter candle lit, from a blessed fire, will pierce the darkness and restore light to the world. In compliance with protocols from the diocese, no individual tapers will be distributed to the faithful this year. The Vigil will continue as normal as we welcome our newest members who will receive and complete their sacraments of initiation.

Masses on Easter Sunday, April 4, will be at 9am and 11am.

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