Believe it or not, it is Palm Sunday, 2021! We are about, once again to enter into holiest of all weeks of the year, as we begin by commemorating the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His Passion. Next Sunday of course, we will celebrate His Resurrection. But what about all the days in between-remember it is “Holy Week;” it is made up of seven days, not just one or two. Our invitation and challenge is walk with Jesus from the time of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through His sorrowful passion to His joyful Resurrection. I firmly believe that here at Saint Aloysius Parish you will have ample opportunity to do just that. Of course, we will begin by participating in today’s celebration of the Mass of Palm Sunday. Note that we are invited to leave from Mass in silence as a sign of the fact that we are beginning the most solemn journey with Jesus through the holiest of weeks. Perhaps you would consider joining us for morning Mass at 8:30AM [Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday] either in Church or via Livestream. You will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 31.
Please note that this is your last chance to receive the sacrament before Easter.
On Holy Thursday we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 PM. Join us as we present the newly blessed sacramental oils, celebrate once again with Jesus the Last Supper, the First Mass, the institution of the Eucharist and of the Priesthood. At the end of Mass the altar will be stripped and we will process the Blessed Sacrament into the Gathering Center to the Altar of Repose which will be where the Sacred Heart statue now stands.
As the Triduum continues we will commemorate Christ’s passion and death with the celebration of Morning Prayer on Good Friday. Adoration will continue throughout the day until our Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 PM. This is an absolutely moving service which includes the most powerful ritual of the veneration of the Cross. On Holy Saturday morning, we will pray Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM once again. Then we wait with heartfelt expectation for the blessing of the Easter Fire at 7:29 PM on the evening of Holy Saturday as we begin the Easter Vigil and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. As you can see, this is indeed the holiest of weeks. Do not miss it!