Easter Sunday is April 4, 2021
Good Friday Regulations
1. Abstinence - Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstain from meat.
2. Fast on Good Friday - Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 is required to fast. Only one full meatless meal is permitted. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each person's needs, but together these two should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.
Note: Health and/or medical needs dispense a person.
3. To Disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.
1. Abstinence - Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstain from meat.
2. Fast on Good Friday - Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 is required to fast. Only one full meatless meal is permitted. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each person's needs, but together these two should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.
Note: Health and/or medical needs dispense a person.
3. To Disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.
Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday - Saturday: 4:30 p.m. - Vigil Mass at St. Thomas
Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
8:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Tuesday, March 30: 4:00 p.m. - Holy Hour at Cathedral
6:30 p.m. - Chrism Mass at Springfield
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m. - Mass of Last Supper at St. Mary's (Adoration until 9:00 p.m.)
7:00 p.m. - Mass of Last Supper at St. Thomas (Adoration until 10:00 p.m.)
Good Friday: 3:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Holy Saturday: 7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Easter Sunday: 7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
(Note times) 8:15 a.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
9:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Palm Sunday - Saturday: 4:30 p.m. - Vigil Mass at St. Thomas
Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
8:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Tuesday, March 30: 4:00 p.m. - Holy Hour at Cathedral
6:30 p.m. - Chrism Mass at Springfield
Holy Thursday: 5:30 p.m. - Mass of Last Supper at St. Mary's (Adoration until 9:00 p.m.)
7:00 p.m. - Mass of Last Supper at St. Thomas (Adoration until 10:00 p.m.)
Good Friday: 3:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Holy Saturday: 7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
Easter Sunday: 7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
(Note times) 8:15 a.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
9:30 a.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
The Easter Triduum or Three Days is the celebration of the Lord's Last Supper (Holy Thursday) in which He gave us His Body and Blood in the Holy Communion, instituting the Sacred Order of Priesthood and Sacrament of the Eucharist. He gives us the "mandatum" to "Do as He has done."
In the Passion of Our Lord (Good Friday), we commemorate Jesus' Death on the Cross. If someone cannot make it to Church this day, it would be good to watch the movie, "The Passion of Christ."
On Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil is celebrated with the lighting of the fire for Paschal Candle, the blessing of water for Baptism, and reception of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
The Easter Season begins with the Resurrection of our Lord (Easter Sunday). We renew our baptismal promises to be the Lord's disciples.
Come celebrate our faith in the One Event (the Paschal Mystery) extending over three days!
In the Passion of Our Lord (Good Friday), we commemorate Jesus' Death on the Cross. If someone cannot make it to Church this day, it would be good to watch the movie, "The Passion of Christ."
On Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil is celebrated with the lighting of the fire for Paschal Candle, the blessing of water for Baptism, and reception of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
The Easter Season begins with the Resurrection of our Lord (Easter Sunday). We renew our baptismal promises to be the Lord's disciples.
Come celebrate our faith in the One Event (the Paschal Mystery) extending over three days!
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday
I will bless the palms for distribution at the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Thomas and at the 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption. We celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to enter into his kingship through his death and resurrection.
On Tuesday evening, at the Chrism Mass at the Diocesan Cathedral, Bishop Paprocki will bless the Oil for the Sick and Oil for Catechumens and consecrate the Sacred Chrism used for anointing of a Church's Altar and the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Priests will renew their promises to the Church.
I will bless the palms for distribution at the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Thomas and at the 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption. We celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to enter into his kingship through his death and resurrection.
On Tuesday evening, at the Chrism Mass at the Diocesan Cathedral, Bishop Paprocki will bless the Oil for the Sick and Oil for Catechumens and consecrate the Sacred Chrism used for anointing of a Church's Altar and the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Priests will renew their promises to the Church.
Fasting: Pope Francis reminds us of fasting that the Lord desires as stated in the book of Isaiah: “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” Pope Francis: "fast from hurting words and say kind words; fast from pressures and be prayerful; fast from grudges and be reconciled; fast from bitterness and be filled with joy."
Fr. Dean, 2/19/2021
Fr. Dean, 2/19/2021
Mass Guidelines: More people are returning to Church during the Lenten Season as we approach Easter. You are welcome to wear a mask, but it is not required. Please be mindful of the need for space and the utilization of space. If a person is ill, or a member of the family is ill, the person is to stay home. It is morally wrong to knowingly share an illness with others. It is also morally wrong to deny people from worshipping God. If you are concerned about social distancing yourself, please take a seat near the front center sections of the Church; many people cluster near the back of the Church. The larger pews need to be open for larger households to allow for seating of everyone. The side sections will be opened as need arises to accommodate attendees, especially guests who may come to worship at our church during the Sundays of Lent/Easter.
Fr. Dean, March 12, 2021
Fr. Dean, March 12, 2021
Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021) marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. We have typically been marked with ashes imposed on our foreheads as a sign of our repentance. According to recent instructions from the Sacred Congregation for Worship and the Sacraments, a new procedure for imposition of ashes will occur in the United States and perhaps in other countries. Ashes will not be pasted to the forehead but instead, as is done in many European countries previously, so now for the world, Ashes will be sprinkled upon the head of the penitent who comes forth for the sign of repentance. The times for liturgies with bestowing of Ashes will be as follows:
7:30 a.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Mary's
8:30 a.m. - Mass for the St. Thomas School Only - Open to all with school closed
9:30 a.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Thomas
12:10 p.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Thomas
3:00 p.m. - Rosary at St. Thomas
5:30 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
Fr. Dean, February 12, 2021
7:30 a.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Mary's
8:30 a.m. - Mass for the St. Thomas School Only - Open to all with school closed
9:30 a.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Thomas
12:10 p.m. - Liturgy of Word at St. Thomas
3:00 p.m. - Rosary at St. Thomas
5:30 p.m. - Mass at St. Thomas
7:00 p.m. - Mass at St. Mary's
Fr. Dean, February 12, 2021