Welcome to the Holy Week
Welcome to the Holy Week, which begins this weekend with the celebration of Palm Sunday and ends with the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30th. Holy Week is the peak of the Churches’ Liturgical Calendar and the most important week for us Catholics. Although not required, we are encouraged to observe Holy Week like a week of personal retreat as we journey with the Lord through His life, passion, death, and resurrection. Here are the Liturgical services during the Holy Week:
Palm Sunday. Given the beautiful weather in the mornings this year, we will have a procession with palms around the Church before the 9am and 11am Masses. A Solemn Entrance will be used for the rest of the Masses. Palms will be provided as you enter the Church doors.
Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Monday of Holy Week, March 25th at 4 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Avondale, AZ. This Mass is open to everyone. However, you will need to plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to get parking and seating. All the priests and Religious in the Diocese are expected to renew their vows/promises and commitments during the Mass. The Bishop will also bless the sacred oils of the Sick, Chrism and Catechumens during the Mass.
Holy Thursday. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper will take place at 7pm here in our Church. We will have the “Washing of Feet” during the Mass. We will also have a Eucharistic Procession at the end of the Mass to the Altar of Repose in the Chapel.
Good Friday. We have several liturgical services and prayers throughout the day: The Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 11am, Seven last Words at 12 noon, Living Stations of the Cross at 3pm, Confessions at 5pm, and the Passion of the Lord will be celebrated at 7pm. This is the only day in the year that Mass is not celebrated in the Catholic Church. Good Friday is also a day of fasting. Please note: Catholics between the age of 18-60 who are not sick or under any medication are encouraged to observe some form of fasting on Good Friday. Everyone is required to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday.
Holy Saturday. We will have the blessing of Easter Food at 12pm in the Church, Divine Mercy Prayer at 3pm and the Easter Vigil Liturgy at 7:30pm. We will begin the Mass with the lighting of Easter Fire outside on the north side of the Church, followed by a procession into Church for the Vigil Mass. We will have 9 Baptisms and some of our brothers and sisters will also be received into the Catholic Church during the Mass.
Please check the “Upcoming Events” below for the times for the Easter Sunday Masses and other activities on Easter Sunday.
Congratulations and Thank You
Congratulations to Jackie Bish on her appointment to the Parish Finance Council this week. Jackie is a long-standing committed member of our parish community, serving as Sacristan for several years. Jackie joins the Council with extensive experience in accounting and financial management.
Congratulations to Pam Boggs on her new responsibility as the Secretary to the Parish Strategic Plan Committee. Pam is currently the Vice President of our Parish Pastoral Council, a member of the choir, and a teacher and parent in our St. John Bosco School.
I thank Jackie and Pam for their commitment to our parish. I assure them of my prayers and support for them in their new responsibilities.