Holy Week is upon us...

We are moving quickly toward the great Feast of Easter - the most solemn day of the church year. This feast, which will be celebrated on April 4, is preceded by some of the most beautiful and inspiring liturgical celebrations of our faith. So that we will not arrive at Holy Week unprepared, it is good for us to be reminded of all the sacred moments that precede this most joyous and holiest of days.

"The Light Is On for You" will continue on Wednesday evenings, March 24 and 31. Priests are available in chapels and churches throughout the Archdiocese to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. So far, all reports indicate that the people have responded very well to this initiative. Sacramental Confession should be an important part of our preparation for Easter. Pass the word to your friends, family and neighbors.

On Palm Sunday, March 28, we will begin the solemn liturgies of Holy Week. Palms will be blessed and distributed at all the Masses. At 7:30 PM on Palm Sunday, combined choirs with orchestra and soloists will present Gioacchino Rossini's "Stabat Mater". This is a concert not to be missed, as it is one of the most melodic of all the concerts and will set the tone for Holy Week.

The Sacred Triduum (three days) will begin on Holy Thursday evening at 7:30 PM. On this night, we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Ordained Priesthood, and Christ's mandate to serve, symbolized by the washing of feet. At the end of Mass, we process with Christ to His place of repose, as we await with Him the agony and death on the cross. The chapel will close at 10:00 PM that evening.

Good Friday, April 2, begins with Morning Prayer in the Chapel at 9:00 AM. At 12:00 noon, our youth will present the Stations of the Cross as they begin their 24 hour Food Fast. The Divine Mercy Novena will begin at 3:00 PM and will be prayed each day until Divine Mercy Sunday (April 11). On Good Friday evening, we will commemorate The Lord's Passion at 7:30 PM.

Holy Saturday begins at 9:00 AM with the celebration of Morning Prayer in the chapel. It is a day of waiting - a day spent in anticipation and preparation for The Great Vigil, which will begin at 7:30 PM. Please note: there is NO 4:00 PM Mass on Holy Saturday. It is not permitted.

The Triduum, the shortest liturgical season, begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and ends with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. As a reminder, Masses on Easter Sunday will be celebrated at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. There will be NO 5:00 PM Mass on Easter Sunday.

Let us join together as a family of believers to celebrate the great mysteries of our faith.

Father Mehm