Dear Parishioners,
            
We are only a week away from the most important feast days in our church year.  Palm Sunday is next weekend and, weather permitting, we will start outside in front of the church with the blessing of the palms. On Palm Sunday, we commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  We hear the passion of Our Lord as recorded by St. Luke.  We receive the holy body and blood of Jesus and we depart the church in peace.

On Holy Thursday, we commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus gave us his body and blood.  We also wash the feet of our parishioners, in remembrance of Jesus’ washing of the Apostles’ feet.  Any of our parishioners are invited to come up to have a foot washed with warm water and to do the same for your fellow parishioners. I want to encourage you to take part in this holy remembrance.  We have adoration in the chapel and quiet time for prayer immediately after the Mass on Thursday until 10 p.m.
Good Friday is not called a Mass - it is the Service of the Lord's Passion and Death.  We hear the passion of our Lord as recorded by St. John. We venerate the cross as a reminder of Jesus' death on the cross for our sake.  The service ends with the reception of Holy Communion, consecrated at the Holy Thursday Mass. 

The Easter Vigil begins at 8:00 p.m. in front of the church with the blessing of the new fire and lighting of the   Easter candle.  We process into the church and light our individual candles from the Easter candle. We then hear the stories of our Faith - how our ancestors relied on God's power to save us.  The Alleluia brings great joy before the gospel reading on the resurrection of Jesus.  We will welcome into our faith, our Elect:  Katlyn Jennings, Samantha Cleary, Kathryn Smith, Anthony Powers, and Sage Reynolds.  They will be baptized, confirmed, and will receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. We receive the body and blood of Jesus and we leave our church with joyful songs of "Alleluia."  Plan ahead to take time during Holy Week to be at our services.  Your faith will be enriched and strengthened.

Our thanks to Boy Scout Troop 79 for their help in collecting food for our food pantry.  The scouts (with the help of their parents) collected over 900 items to help feed the needy in our area.

Mark your calendars...Men's Spirituality Group will meet on Saturday, April 27th at 10 a.m.  Our Women's Spirituality Group will also meet on the 27th.
 
Many thanks. God Bless You, Fr. Paul J. Alciati