This week the Church celebrates the holiest week of our year. Today we listen to two Gospels at the celebration of the Eucharist. Today we recall Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem amidst praises by the crowds lining the streets with palm branches proclaiming,
"
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."
We are all called to live and pray differently during this week the Church calls holy.
On Tuesday, Cardinal Cupich is calling all of the priests and parish representatives to a Chrism Mass. At this Mass - in prayer, in ritual, and in song - the oils used in the celebration of the sacraments in parishes, hospitals, chapels, and nursing homes are blessed. This blessing takes place in the Mass and then, following the Mass, parish representatives are given three bottles of holy oil; the Oil of the Infirmed, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism. Every parish in the Archdiocese is given the oils to be used in their respective parishes, as sacraments are celebrated in the coming year.
At St. Mary's the ambry, the special location in the church where the sacred oils are prominently displayed, is located on the wall near the baptismal font. The old oils are returned to the earth from which they came, so the new oils can be displayed and used at St. Mary's. The oils are presented to the community at the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.
The following schedule of celebrations at St. Mary's was recently mailed to registered parishioners. I hope that you have already received this schedule in the mail. If you worship regularly at St. Mary's, but have not yet registered as a parishioner, you are invited and encouraged to register as soon as you can through the parish website or at the Parish Office.
Holy Thursday, April 18
Morning Prayer - 8:00am
Mass of the Lord's Supper - 7:30pm
Solemn Adoration - after 7:30pm Mass until Night Prayer at 11:00pm
Good Friday, April 19
Day of Fasting and Abstinence
Morning Prayer - 8:00am
Stations of the Cross - Noon
Liturgy of The Lord's Passion - 3:00pm
Holy Saturday, April 20
Morning Prayer - 8:00am
Blessing of Easter Food - 2:00pm in Church
Easter Vigil Mass - 8:00pm
(NO 5:00pm Mass on Holy Saturday)
Easter Sunday, April 21
Masses in Church:
8:00am, 10:00am, Noon
Mass in the Upper School Gym: 10:15am, 12:15pm
(NO 6:00pm Mass on Easter Sunday)
Thank you to everyone who has supported the parish with contributions to the Church of St. Mary in the regular Sunday offertory this past year as well as this Holy Week and at Easter. God bless you for your generous support of the parish and the ministries of the parish!
If you were participating in Operation Rice Bowl of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as part of your Lenten almsgiving, donations can be returned to the Parish Office at your earliest convenience. Through CRS Rice Bowl we share the journey with members of our human family around the world and commit our Lenten prayers, fasting, and almsgiving to deepening our faith and serving those in need. Thanks for making a difference in the lives of people through your generous almsgiving this Lent.
I am grateful that you are here at St. Mary's as the Church celebrates Holy Week.
God bless you with a prayer-filled heart this Holy Week!!!
