This is such a difficult time for everyone who loves the life and routine of Church. While we can't be together physically to pray, we can be together spiritually.
Knightly Rosary
The Knights of Columbus were planning to joiin the parish in praying a Novena (or 9 days) of rosaries every day in each of our church and school buildings this month. They are no inviting everyone to join them in a nightly (knightly) rosary at 7 p.m. starting this Sunday, March 29 and ending Monday of Holy Week, April 6. I'm not sure if we will have someone to livestream and join electronically, but it's nice to know that we'll be able to do this together for those who choose to. We can ask the Blessed Mother to intercede and plead for an end of this crisis to her son.
Our Holy Week services will be different this year. Bishop Zubik had a conference call with all priests yesterday and outlined what we may do for HOly Week. We will NOT have services publicly. The basic plan is listed below, but we will fill in more details as that week approaches.
Weekend Masses
This weekend (March 28&29), our livestreamed Masses will continue:
Saturday 4:00 p.m. at St. Irenaeus with Father George
Saturday 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph with Father Kevin
Sunday 8:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Joy with Father Jinto and Deacon Tim
Sunday 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist with Father Kevin
Sunday 11:00 a.m. at St. Januarius with Father David
Holy Week & Palm Sunday
This coming weekend will be the same schedule for Palm Sunday, April 4th and 5th. Blessed Palms will be available after each of these weekend Masses at each church.
We will continue to livestream 9 a.m. Mass daily up to and through Holy Wednesday
Triduum
Holy Thursday will be livestreamed at 7 p.m. (probably Our Lady of Joy Church)
Good Friday will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. (at either St. Irenaeus or St. Joseph)
Easter Vigil will be livestreamed at 8:30 p.m. (at St. John the Baptist Church)
Easter morning Masses will be livestreamed with enough separation for the Mass to end and the cameras to move between churches:
7:30a at SJAN; 9:00a at OLOJ; 10:30a at SJV and Noon at STI
I greatly appreciate that hundreds of you are watching our livestream Masses daily, and thousands on the weekend. Thanks to all those who are supporting our parish financially at this time by mailing or dropping off donations or signing up for online giving. Thank you for your prayers and concerns expressed for our priests at this time as well.
Know that I and our clergy are praying for you at every one of our Masses, so you are there with us in prayer, even if you are not watching us. May God be with you so that you can stay healthy and be holy.
In Christ's love, Father Kevin