NEXT WEEK IS HOLY WEEK

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent which means next week is Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. During the masses we commemorate Jesus’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem with the blessing of the palms. We also read the Passion narrative according to the Gospel of Matthew. As you enter the church, please take palms from the tables at the entrances.

Tuesday of Holy Week (April 4th, 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral) Bishop Fisher will celebrate the Chrism Mass at which the Oil of the Catechumens and the Holy Oil of the Sick are blessed. The Chrism Oil used for baptisms, confirmations, and ordinations will also be consecrated. At this Mass, the priests of the diocese will renew their priestly vows.

Thursday April 6th is the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper which begins at 7:00 p.m. The mass concludes with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose. The church will remain open for private prayer until 10:00p.m. The Passion of the Lord is celebrated on Good Friday, April 7th with the Liturgy of the Word including the reading of the Passion according to the Gospel of John. The Veneration of the Cross follows. The service concludes with Holy Communion.

The Easter Vigil will then take place on Holy Saturday, April 8th at 7:00 p.m. The service includes the Lighting of the Fire and the procession the Paschal Candle. Michael Atsebi will join our faith community through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord is April 9th. Masses are at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. This is the most solemn and holy time for the Church year. Everyone is invited to join us in keeping holy these sacred days.