-
-
Our Church prepares to celebrate the holiest of days during the calendar. During Holy Week, we recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and his Resurrection. The week includes five days of special significance. The first is Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ humble entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem to observe Passover. According to the Gospel account, he was greeted by crowds of people who spread their cloaks and laid palm leaves in his path and proclaimed him the Son of David (Matthew 21:5). Palm Sunday is celebrated with a blessing and procession of palms. Holy Thursday marks Jesus’ institution at the Last Supper of the Eucharist, thereafter a central element of Roman Catholic worship, Holy Thursday is normally accompanied by washing of the feet of 12 humble or poor persons, in imitation of Jesus’ washing of the feet of his 12 disciples at the Last Supper. Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross; it is traditionally a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting. Holy Saturday, also called Easter Vigil, is the traditional end of Lent. Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, according to the Gospels, on the third day after his crucifixion.
As we prepare for these holy day days of celebration, our liturgies may seem a bit different from years past as we continue to cope with the effects of the virus. Last year, 2020, we were unable to commemorate any of the days. This year, we will celebrate, but with variations, based on directives issued by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Below are the specific celebrations and variations, if applicable, for each day: -
PALM SUNDAY
SATURDAY/SUNDAY, MARCH 27/28
Normal Mass Times - 4:00 pm Saturday;
7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am, 1:00 (Spanish), 5:00 pm Sunday- Palm Sunday Procession - This year, we will not have the Blessing of the Palms and the Entrance Rite begin on the plaza because the community is not to join in porcession into the church. Therefore, the blessing and entrance will take place from the back of church with no procession by the congregation.
- Distribution of Palms. Palms will not to be distributed by ushers/greeters. Instead, palms will be placed on a table at all church entrances and hand sanitizer will be made available at all locations where the palms are placed. Following Mass, palms will be placed in the entryway of the church for those unable to attend Mass to pick-up at a later time; hand sanitizer will also be made available.
HOLY THURSDAY
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
Morning Prayer - 8:30 am
Mass of the Lord's Supper - 7:00 pm
Music: Anne Gerst and Marti Signaigo- Washing of the Feet (Mandatum) - The Washing of the Feet, which is already optional, will be omitted.
- Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Stripping of the Altar, Adoration at the Altar of Repose - The Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament and the stripping of the altar are followed as prescribed in the Roman Missal, which is at the conclusion of the Mass. The participants in the Procession for the Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose will be the priest and ministers, ONLY.- not the congregation. Ample time will be available for the faithful to remain in silent prayer at the Altar of Repose. Doors will be open in the Parish Center for silent prayer untill 12:00 midnight.
GOOD FRIDAY
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
Morning Prayer - 8:30 am
The Passion Mime - 12:00 noon
Confessions - 12:00-3:30 pm
Church Open for Private Prayer - 12:30-3:00 pm
Meditation Music: Gregorian Chant for Good Friday
Stations of the Cross - 3:00 pm
Music: Jeannie Freeman
Celebration of the Lord's Passion - 7:00 pm
Music: Elaina Piccoli and Susan Toben- The Adoration of the Holy Cross - The adoration of the Cross by kissing it will be limited SOLELY to the celebrant..During The Adoration of the Holy Cross, the ministers and faithful come forward, wearing a face mask and observing the six feet social distancing requirement, and will venerate the Cross either with a bow or genuflection. The ministers and faithful are NOT to touch or kiss the Cross.
THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT
SATURDAY, APRIL 3
Morning Prayer - 8:30 am
The Solemn Easter Vigil - 8:00 pm
Music: Jeannie Freeman and Michael Abbene- Candles for the Easter Vigil - Individual candles will be available for the ministers and faithful for the Lucernarium, The candles will be placed on a table at all church entrances and hand sanitizer will be made available at all locations where the candles are placed. The candles will not to be distributed by ushers/greeters. At the end of the Easter Vigil, the candles are to be placed in the appropriately-signed depository.
- Sprinkling - The sprinkling of the community following The Renewal of Baptismal Promises IS allowed.
- Holy Water - Holy Water will NOT be placed in Holy Water Fonts.
- Blessed Water - Blessed Water will NOT be placed in the parish baptismal font or Holy Water dispensers.
-
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
Easter Sunday Mass Times -
7:00 am in the Church,
Music: Mary Pancella and Micaela Letizia-Brunnell
9:00 am in the Church
Music: Jeannie Freeman and Michael Abbene
9:00 am in the Parish Center
Music: Crystal and Alec Arnold
11:00 am in the Church
Music: Anne Gerst and Marti Signaigo
11:00 am in the Parish Center
Music: The 5:00 Band
There is NO 5:00 pm Mass on Easter Sunday
- Parishioners are encouraged to be thoughtful about which Easter Mass to attend. Consider making room for the Eucharist by attending an alternate Mass this Easter.
- Seating in both the Church and Parish Center will be capacity-controlled. Once the maximum number allowed is reached, additional guests will be directed to an alternate location.
- Sprinkling - The sprinkling of the community following The Renewal of Baptismal Promises IS allowed.
- Holy Water - Holy Water will NOT be placed in Holy Water Fonts.
- Blessed Water - Blessed Water will NOT be placed in the parish baptismal font or Holy Water dispensers.