This Holy Week starts out with such rejoicing, as we triumphantly cry out “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” and as we wave palm branches expectantly… and it ends with betrayal, condemnation, passionate suffering, and death on a cross. No other Sunday in the liturgical year reflects such a dramatic contrast as today. Jesus’ royal entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem was also an entrance into the mystery of his suffering, death, and resurrection for our salvation.
How many times does life really put each of us through the wringer? With us, Jesus experiences the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and everything in between. There is no part of our experience that God does not unite to himself. As we follow Jesus in procession and enter this holiest of weeks together with Christ, may our participation in each solemn liturgy draw us into deeper union with him and with one another as we ask for God’s blessing upon our lives, knowing through faith that our salvation from sin and death is at hand.
Here is the schedule of happenings for the week; all events are taking place in the Church unless otherwise noted:
Palm Sunday – Blessing of Palms and Palm Sunday Masses 4:00pm (Saturday), 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am, 6:00pm
Minister Reflection – Monday at 6:30pm for all Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Altar Servers, and Musicians
Chrism Mass – Renewal of priestly vows and blessing of oils presided over by Bishop Michael Fisher (St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo NY) Tuesday at 7:00pm
Holy Thursday – Morning Prayer (Chapel) 9:00am, 7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 8pm – 11pm Adoration (Chapel)
Good Friday – Morning Prayer (Chapel) 9:00am, 12noon Stations of the Cross, 3:00pm Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, 7:00pm Seven Last Words of Christ
Holy Saturday – Morning Prayer (Chapel) 9:00am, Blessing of Baskets (Chapel) 12noon, Vigil Mass 8:15pm
Easter Sunday – Masses 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am… and 9:30am (Chapel), 11:30am (Chapel)