Holy Week: Parish Bulletin--3-29-15

This week—Holy Week—is the most sacred time of the year.  Please come to as much as you can to enter into Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection!  Here is a brief description of the mysteries we will be entering and the times they will be celebrated:

·      Chrism Mass (Monday, March 30^th at 5:30pm at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth)

o   This Mass, celebrated by Bishop Paul Sirba, will feature the consecration of the three oils we use in our sacramental life—the Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick and Chrism Oil.  These oils will be brought back to our parishes to be used throughout the year.  Additionally, the priests of the diocese concelebrated this Mass and we will renew the vows we made at ordination.  It is worth a trip to Duluth to be part of this amazing diocesan celebration!

·      Holy Triduum (which literally means three days) consists of three days that host one Liturgy: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. 

·      Holy Thursday (April 2^nd)

o   8:30am:  Rosary celebrating the Luminous Mysteries.  There is no Mass offered the morning of Holy Thursday so our usual daily Mass will be replaced with the Rosary instead.

o   7:00pm?:  Mass of the Last Supper (St. Thomas Aquinas). 

o   This Mass commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood and the washing of the disciples’ feet.  Adoration will follow until midnight and Confessions will be available immediately following the service.

·      Good Friday (April 3^rd)

o   8:30am:  Rosary celebrating the Sorrowful Mysteries

o   3:00pm (St. Thomas Aquinas), 7:00pm (St. Columban): Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

o   Good Friday service features the Passion narrative, veneration of the cross and reception of holy Communion.  This is the only day of the year where Mass is not said, as the service is a continuation of the Triduum liturgy begun.  Confessions will follow both services.

·      Holy Saturday (April 4^th)

o   8:30am:  Rosary celebrating the Glorious Mysteries

o   10:00am:  Blessing of food (St. Thomas Aquinas).  This well-kept secret is a rich cultural tradition that features bringing a basket of food which will be feasted upon Easter morning.  Bring your food to Church!

o   7:00pm:  Easter Vigil Mass (St. Thomas Aquinas)

o   This is the most sacred liturgy of the year and is saturated with symbolism and rich in feasting on God’s Word.  In the Easter Vigil we celebrate the light of Christ, salvation history, Baptisms and Confirmations and most of all, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

·      Easter Sunday (April 5^th)

o   8:30am:  Mass at St. Columban

o   10:30am:  Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas

o   While the Easter Vigil is the high point of our Church year, don’t forget about Easter Sunday!  Even if you attend the Vigil, please come on the morning of the Lord’s resurrection.

Finally, please invite and welcome your family and friends to celebrate this Holy Week with us.  This week is a key moment of evangelization.  It is an opportunity to be a bridge to Christ’s love and mercy to those who need it and an invitation to those who have drifted away from faith.  This is the week to grab your friends and family and bring them to Church!

God Bless!