Schedule for April 17-18, 2021
Saturday, April 17
- 7:00 am Cathedral Open for Private Prayer and Devotion
- 8:00 am Mass - Mass will also be livestreamed
- 10:00 am - Rite of Confirmation - will also be livestreamed
- 1:30 pm - Rite of Confirmation - will also be livestreamed
- 3:00 pm Rosary – Live-Stream
- 3:30 - 4:30 pm Holy Hour - concluding with Evening Prayer and Benediction
- 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Confessions
- 5:00 pm Mass
- 6:00 pm Cathedral Closes
Sunday - Third Sunday of Easter
- 7:00 am Cathedral Open for Private Prayer and Devotion
- 8:00 am Mass - will also be livestreamed
- 9:00 am - 9:50 am Confessions
- 10:00 am Mass
- 11:00 am - 11:50 am Confessions
- 12:00 Noon Mass
- 2:30 pm - Rite of Confirmation - will also be livestreamed
- 5:00 pm Mass
- 6:00 pm Cathedral Closes
Dear Parishioners,
If you were able to make it to Mass or visit the Basilica during the day this past week, you would have seen a lone worker in the All Souls Chapel, restoring the mosaic art that a water leak had damaged. A closer examination shows that there had been a much earlier repair to the chapel's mosaic art probably about 20 years ago. The current restoration of this chapel started a little over a year ago when the scaffolding was installed. The project was put on hold for several months as we awaited the mosaic tiles to be imported from Italy, which was for many months under lockdown and delayed the completion of the project.
Many thanks to the Friends of the Cathedral for making this restoration possible. At present, we have a little over 60 members of our John L. May Society, a group comprised of men and women who have committed to giving $1,000 per year to support the upkeep of the art and architecture of the Cathedral Basilica. This is an addition to over 120 members of the Friends of the Cathedral who also make contributions annually to support the Cathedral Basilica preservation.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Friends of the Cathedral, or in supporting the Cathedral preservation more strongly, please contact Chrissy Chapo in the rectory office for more information. Also, please mark your calendar for the Cathedral Gala on Saturday, August 21, 2021. This is our largest fundraiser of the year that directly supports the preservation of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
The Gospel we hear this Sunday brings us back to the evening of Easter. It is the last page of the Gospel of Luke. The two disciples of Emmaus return with haste to Jerusalem and tell the disciples what happened to them.
That first evening of Easter Day Jesus entered behind closed doors and placed himself in the midst of the disciples. They were frightened to see him. They were talking about him and yet they did not recognize him. Jesus immediately gave them peace. They were confused, doubtful, incredulous, stubbornly attached to their convictions.
Before bidding them farewell, Jesus says to them: "You are witnesses of these things." This is the first time that the Gospel of Luke uses the term "witnesses" in relation to the disciples. The experience of Easter has transformed them into disciples who hope and believe that death is conquered and that every wound can be healed. It is the testimony that the Church hands down from generation to generation, and that it is also entrusted to us. The Risen Lord wants us to be passionate witnesses and not uncertain and prudent officials; he wants us joyful witnesses and not fearful disciples protected by closed doors; witnesses who live what they communicate and who learn to live it by communicating.
Monsignor Henry Breier
This Weekend's Pulpit Announcements
The virtue of sacrifice, of giving of ourselves to serve those who need God’s abundant love the most, is at the heart of the Annual Catholic Appeal. Over the past year, we have seen the impact the Appeal can have on our entire community when help is needed most — and with the help of your continued generous support of the Appeal, we can come together as one Church and proclaim with one voice, Thy Will Be Done. Pledge information for this year’s appeal was recently mailed to parishioners. Please see your bulletins or call the parish office for more information.
Public Service Announcement
Wearing of Masks
Just a quick reminder that masks are to be worn at all times while in the Cathedral Basilica (except for the reception of Holy Communion). It is important that the mask covers both your nose and your mouth to prevent the spread of a virus.
