Dear Parishioners,

A lot of things are happening in this month of April. And so for this bulletin letter, I would like to briefly list them. The main things are Holy Week, followed by the Easter Triduum. Two years ago, we were still on lockdown and did not have a public Holy Week. Last year, we were allowed back in Church but had to follow all sorts of guidelines, limiting the celebration. This year, we are finally back to normal and we will have all the ceremonies associated with Holy Week. We can be very thankful for that.

• Next Sunday, April 10th is Palm Sunday. On this day we remember Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem as well as His Passion. We will bless and distribute palms as usual.
• The Thursday after that is Holy Thursday. The only Mass that we can celebrate that day is the Mass of the Lord’s Super which we will have at 7 pm. (Though some Dioceses celebrate their Chrism Mass that day as well.) At this Mass, we remember Jesus’s institution of the Eucharist, the Priesthood, the command to serve one another, and His being taken into captivity. It is also a traditional night to visit churches and therefore the church will remain open until 10 pm.
• The next day is Good Friday. At 3 pm we will have a service which involves solemn intercessions, veneration of the cross and holy communion. It is a Solemn Liturgy in which we remember that Christ died for us.
• Then, on Holy Saturday evening at 8 pm we will celebrate the Easter Vigil, which is the most important Mass in the year. In this Mass, we bless the fire, light the Paschal Candle, have an extended liturgy of the word and welcome in the light of Christ. Normally, we would also accept candidates and catechumens. But, we do not have any this year. So, please pray that we may have a full RCIA program next year.
• Sunday, April 17th is Easter Sunday. We will be having the normal 8 am, 10 am and 12 Noon Masses that day. There will be no 5:30 pm Mass. We are also delaying the normal Third Sunday Traditional Latin Mass to the following week.
• The following Sunday, April 24th, is Divine Mercy Sunday. There will be a normal Mass schedule. Plus, at 3 pm we will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in Church followed by a Traditional Latin Mass.
• Lastly, on Saturday April 30th, children in our Religious Education program will receive their First Holy Communion. Please pray for them that day.

Other than that, the current Wednesday night Bible Study is going well and please stay tuned if you would like to join a future session. We will have another parish Board Game Night in the cafeteria at 6 pm on Friday April 29th. I hope everyone is well as we enter into this Holy month of April.

God bless!

Fr. Carter