March 15, 2024
In the next two weeks we have many opportunities to draw closer to the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. I invite you to join our parish community for some of our Lenten traditions as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.
During Lent, Stations of the Cross takes place every Friday at 7:00 PM in the church. Each week, a different ministry leads the prayers. The Lenten Penance service, with seven priests available to hear individual confessions, is on March 20th from 7:00-9:00 PM. Eucharistic Adoration will take place during the service.
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 24th, with the reading of the Passion at all Masses. Weather permitting, there will be a procession from the Social Hall during the 11:00 AM Mass. The Easter Triduum, the church’s three highest Holy Days, begins with Holy Thursday Mass and the washing of the feet at 7:00 PM on March 28th. After Mass, the Blessed Sacrament and the Altar of Repose will be available in the Social Hall until Midnight, for personal quiet prayer. On Good Friday, March 29th, various Stations of the Cross are offered: HFK School will pray the Stations at 9:00 AM in the church, Ecumenical Stations at 12:00 Noon (please meet at St. John’s Episcopal in Kirkland), and Bi-lingual (Spanish and English) Stations in the Church at 2:00 PM. The reading of the Passion and Veneration of the Cross is at 7:00 PM.
Easter Vigil begins at 8:30 PM on Saturday, March 30th. We are welcoming 25 new members into the church that evening. This is the highest celebration in the church’s liturgical calendar and if you have never been I would strongly encourage you to go. The service will be about three hours long and involves the blessing of the paschal candle, exsultet, readings of salvation history, renewal of baptismal promises, welcoming of new members into the church through baptism, confirmation, profession of faith and eucharist and fulfills your Easter duty. It is a beautiful and moving liturgy.
Easter Sunday Masses will take place at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The 9:00 and 11:00 Masses will be VERY full; I encourage regular parishioners to try and attend other Masses, if able. Please try to carpool and arrive early so that all can peacefully celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.
The Easter season lasts for 50 days until Pentecost. We will celebrate infant baptisms, first communions, and confirmations throughout this most joyful season. Please continue to pray for all those who are receiving sacraments of initiation this Easter season and let us always find ways to support each other in following Jesus.
May the Risen Christ be with you daily.
Fr. Bryan Dolejsi, Pastor