This weekend, we begin the holiest week of the year. We begin this Holy Week with a procession of Hosannas while waving blessed palms. This celebration quickly turns into reflection of the Lord’s Passion and Death as we read the Passion of our Lord Jesus. Monday is a blessed day for our parish family. Msgr. Meagher and I will be in the confessionals from 4:00-7:00 participating in the diocesan-wide The Light Is On For You campaign. This is an excellent opportunity to encounter our Merciful and Forgiving Lord in this wonderful sacrament of confession. Make your plans now to prepare for Easter in this very special way.
I will attend the Diocesan Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse on Tuesday. At this Mass, all the sacred oils are blessed for the year and the priests renew their priestly commitment.
On Holy Thursday we will have the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5:00 pm at Saints John and Andrew and 5:30 pm at Saint Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament. This will be followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 10:00.
On Good Friday, we will have the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 pm and Meditative Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church.
We will be blessing food at 11:00 am on Holy Saturday, the Solemn Easter Vigil will begin at 8:00 pm. On this holiest night of the year, we will bless the new fire and renew our Baptismal Commitment.
On Easter Sunday we will celebrate our OUTDOOR Easter Sunrise Mass at 6:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament church. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for this wonderful Mass. We will also have Mass at 8:30 am on Easter. Make your plans now to participate in the holiest week of the year with our Lord.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK! Father Jim
