Dear Parishioners,
As Holy Week approaches, there will be some differences to the liturgies. Included at the bottom of this Flock Note is our Holy Week schedule.
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
The blessing of palms will be done at the foot of the altar and not in the back of the church. Processions with ministers of the altar are still discouraged. Palm branches will be at each entrance for you to take as you enter or depart.
HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The ritual of washing feet can be done, but only with individuals that have had both vaccinations. I, personally, will not have had both of my vaccinations. Deacon Yoho has and will get members of the community to participate in this age-old and beautiful ritual. The transfer of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of Mass will take place but only with me making that procession to the altar of repose (the tabernacle). There will be time for individual adoration after the Mass until 9:00 pm.
GOOD FRIDAY
There will not be a “kissing” of the cross for its veneration, but, there will be a veneration of the cross with a single-file 6’ spacing procession and with a “profound bow” of one’s head to the wood of the cross. There will be three stand-alone crosses, one for each aisle in the church.
THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT
The lighting of the fire and its blessing for the Easter candle will be done, but, it will take place inside the church, at the foot of the altar, with a safe protective small fire. We will not gather outside, but, remain in our pews for this ritual. There will be no personal lit candles offered to you this year. After the homily, there will be a blessing of water, but, there will be no baptisms and confirmations at this public mass as in years past. Many members of the RCIA have compromised health situations and so these men, women, and children of reasonable age, will have a private Mass scheduled for their convenience and health to bring them into the church.
EASTER SUNDAY
On Easter Sunday, IHM will begin to bring back its 8:00 am Sunday morning Mass from here on out. PLEASE NOTE: There will not be an Easter Sunday 4:30 pm mass.
Lastly, the Holy Week services will be livestreamed on our Parish Website and our Parish Facebook Page. The dispensation granted for not being present at Mass or these services still remains in effect. To control the crowd size at these Masses and services, you will have to make a reservation as we did at Christmas. Another Flock Note will come out offering this information.
Many blessings,
Father Jim
Palm Sunday – March 28, 2021
Saturday (March 27, 2021) Vigil Mass at 4:30 pm
Sunday Mass at 10:00 am & 4:30 pm
Holy Thursday – April 1, 2021
NO 8:00 am Mass
Mass at 7:00 pm
Adoration until 9:00 pm
Good Friday – April 2, 2021
NO 8:00 am Mass
Services at 3:00 pm (Healing Ministry to follow) & 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday – April 3, 2021
Blessing of Easter Food at 1:00 pm
NO 4:30 pm Mass
Easter Vigil Mass at 8:30 pm
Easter Sunday – April 4, 2021
Mass at 8:00 am & 10:00 am
NO 4:30 pm Mass