Lent through Easter
Easter Sunday April 20, 2025
from St. Mary St. Catherine of Siena Church
The Great Vigil, Holy Saturday April 19, 2025
from St. Francis de Sales Church
The Passion of Our Lord, Holy Thursday April 17, 2025
from St. Francis de Sales Church
Were you there when they crucified my Lord,
Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025
from St. Mary Church
A Paschal Primer
We will soon reach the holy city, Jerusalem! Next Sunday morning at 10:45 am, join us out on the Training Field as we ask God’s blessing on the holy palms we hold and present to the Prince of Peace at the 11 am Mass at St. Mary’s. With all the excitement in the air, however, the proclamation of the Passion points out what is also ahead for Jesus, for his disciples, for us all. We end the Palm Sunday Masses in a very different air than how we began it. There will be pain, but as scripture reminds us, joy will come with dawn- the Easter dawn.
It’s important to look at Holy Week in a different light than any other week, for it comprises the central mysteries of our faith- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night into Sunday make one celebration- parts of a tapestry, while beautiful individually, make together a complete work of art.
On Tuesday of this very special week at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Chrism Mass is celebrated- it begins at noon- Archbishop Henning blesses the oils that will be brought in procession in parishes on Holy Thursday night and used throughout the year, and the clergy renew their vows. All are welcome to the celebration!
Join us for morning prayer at St. Catherine’s Chapel on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 9 am. We begin this journey of the Triduum as we gather on Holy Thursday evening at 6:30 pm at St. Francis. We gather around the table, just as Jesus did with his friends. The Mass begins as usual with a rite that is both ancient and new, the Procession of Oils, that were blessed the previous Tuesday. The oil of the sick is used for anointing, and the oil of catechumens and Sacred Chrism are used in the celebration of baptisms and confirmations.
The story of the Seder supper, the Passover meal that marked the beginning of freedom of the People of God is recalled for us in the first reading, and the Gospel turns us to the new meal, the Last Supper, the Eucharistic feast that is at the center of our faith. After the homily comes a moment that sums up a central teaching of Christ in action- the rite of foot washing, recreating the action of Christ calling us to a radical service in humility. Holy Thursday never really ends. After communion and a short closing prayer, the Eucharist is taken in procession as we sing the ancient Eucharistic songs that are timeless and ends in the silence and the mystery of the garden as Jesus awaits his accuser. Night Prayer will follow at St. Francis.
Good Friday is the most difficult day of the year for Christians, and it should be. The day doesn’t really begin and doesn’t end- it is the only day of the year when the Mass is not celebrated. Catholics are reminded of the obligation of Good Friday to fast and/or abstain from eating meat, depending on each person’s age and health. The Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 3 pm at St. Mary’s.
We gather on Good Friday at 5:30 pm at St. Mary’s. The procession is marked with the priests’ prostration before the cross. Christ has died, and the world is silent. There is no greeting, just an opening prayer, and we move right into the liturgy of the Word. The readings reflect the humanity of Jesus. The proclamation of the Passion reflects Christ’s pain. After the homily, we offer our prayers for the many needs of people all over the world.
The veneration of the cross begins with its solemn procession. This is the wood of the cross, and we show our love for Christ by kissing the cross, genuflecting before it, or by another sign of reverence. Christ, by his sacrifice, has liberated us, freed us from what holds us back, our weakness, our humanity. We continue with distribution of communion and conclude the service in silence. The world is dark, and it is in waiting. We are, too.
Holy Saturday is a day of preparation. The Church encourages us to maintain this atmosphere of vigil, to take some time in prayer and reflection.
The Easter Vigil- which will begin at 6:30 pm at St. Francis- is the most important celebration of the year. It is made up of four parts: the liturgies of light, word, baptism, and the altar. We begin in the darkness we left Friday night, but all is not dark. There is a fire burning, a light that is about to signify the changing of everything. The fire is blessed, and a candle is ignited- the Paschal candle, the holy symbol of Christ’s victory. We will use this candle throughout the year at baptisms and funerals. This candle is brought into the church like a torch, and we all take our light from it, sharing in the victory.
The candles are placed in prominence and the clarion call is sounded; the Exsultet is sung- this is the night long dreamt of. Tonight, time has no place in this church- we share in the timelessness of the promise. Before the victory is celebrated, though, we recall the story, and we move into the Liturgy of the Word in darkness again, lit only by that sacred candle. The readings speak of promises made and promises kept by a God who has always loved us, and that promise is made perfect in the risen Christ. The Gloria is sung, and the lights of the church are set ablaze- Christ has risen!
After the triumphant Gospel and homily, our candles are lit again, and we enter the Liturgy of Initiation. The baptismal waters are blessed. We remake our baptismal promises and are doused with the waters of new birth, sprinkled with the new life of Christ. The Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Altar, as the gifts are brought up, blessed and shared. Blessed as we are with the reception of the body and blood of Christ, the Mass concludes with the special Easter blessing, and we are sent to share the Good News with the world!
Easter Morning brings all the joys of the resurrection
at the 8 and 11 am Masses at St. Mary’s and the 9:30 am Mass at St. Francis.
Please come to all the Triduum observances as we remember
and celebrate Christ, Who has died… Christ, Who is risen… and Christ, Who will come again!
Lenten Mission 2025, Monday, March 24
Fr. Paul Coughlin on Renewal
Lenten Mission 2025, Tuesday, March 25
Reconciliation with Fr. Mark Riley
Lenten Mission 2025, Wednesday, March 26
Deacon Joe Nickley on Resurrection and Fr. Sheridan celebrates Mass
The Three Pillars of Lent
Do You Want to Fast this Lent
In the words of Pope Francis
Fast from hurting words………..and say kind words
Fast from sadness………..and be filled with gratitude
Fast from anger………..and be filled with patience
Fast from pessimism………..and be filled with hope
Fast from worries………..and have trust in God
Fast from complaints………..and contemplate simplicity
Fast from pressures………..and be prayerful
Fast from bitterness………..and and fill your heart with joy
Fast from selfishness………..and be compassionate to others
Fast from grudges………..and be reconciled
Fast from words………..and be silent so you can listen
Catholic Essentials
The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To shelter the homeless
To care for the sick
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead
The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy
To share knowledge
To give advice to those who need it
To comfort the suffering
To be patient with others
To forgive those who hurt you
To give correction to those who need it
To pray for the living and the dead
The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel/Right Judgment
Fortitude / Courage
Knowledge
Piety / Reverence
Fear of the Lord/Awe and Wonder
Virtues
The 3 Theological Virtues
Faith
Hope
Love (Charity)
The 4 Cardinal Virtues
Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance
Bostoncatholic.org
A BRIEF EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE BASED ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
I am the Lord you God: You shall not have strange Gods before me.
Have I treated people, things or events, as more important than God?
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church, or people?
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday vigil) and on Holy Days of Obligation?, Do I avoid, when possible, work that that impeded worship to God, joy for the Lord’s Day, and proper relaxation of mind and body ? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service on Sunday?
Honor your father and your mother
Do I show my parents due respect? Do I seek to maintain good communication with my parents where possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have?
You shall not kill
Have I harmed another through physical, verbal or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind?
You shall not commit adultery
Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?
You shall not steal
Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
Have I gossiped, told lies, or embellished stories at the expense of another?
You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse
Have I honored my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love?
You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods
Am I content with my own means and needs, or do I compare myself to others unnecessarily?
HOLY WEEK 2025 SCHEDULE
