This weekend, we present our Elect and Candidates for a special rite in which, together with the entire congregation, they will scrutinize their consciences. As a reminder, the Elect are those preparing to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, while the Candidates are already baptized in another Christian tradition and are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church through Confirmation and Eucharist. This rite will take place at the 9:30 AM Mass.
All of this leads to the Easter Vigil—the pinnacle of our liturgical year. Beginning next weekend, we enter Holy Week, which opens with Palm Sunday. The Chrism Mass at the Cathedral follows on Monday. Then, we transition from Lent into the sacred Triduum: three holy days beginning with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, followed by Good Friday, and Holy Saturday when the Easter Vigil takes place. It is on this evening where our Elect and Candidates will receive the three awesome Sacraments in the journey to become Catholics. This is a celebration you should not miss! The celebrations don’t stop there. Easter Sunday then follows the Triduum, and it is this Sunday when coming to Mass early is truly an important strategy in order to simply get a seat in the church. So, plan well now for these celebrations and pray for all of us who will be leading use through these sacred days.
It all begins in just one week. This annual journey of feasts draws us deeper into the mystery of how God rescued us from darkness and brought us into His marvelous light. Please refer to this bulletin for dates and times for each of these powerful celebrations!
Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor
Graphic Credit: ChatGPT