A schedule of events for the next few days follows:
Holy Thursday — No Mass can be celebrated in the morning, therefore there will be no 7:30 am Mass. The Three Days (“Triduum”) of the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection begin with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 pm, with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament taking place afterwards.
Good Friday — Mass is not be celebrated on this day. Deacon Harry will offer Stations of the Cross at 1pm. The liturgy of the Passion and Death of the Lord, with the proclamation of St. John’s Passion, General Intercessions, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion will be observed at 6:30 pm.
Holy Saturday — Our Catechumen will use the morning to rehearse and meditate on the mysteries they are about to encounter. A final opportunity for confessions will be available starting at 3:00 pm in the church until all are heard. There is no 4:00 pm or 6:30 pm Saturday night Mass on Holy Saturday at St. Anthony, or anywhere else, as the evening liturgy may not begin until after the sun has left the sky and night has begun.
The Great Easter Vigil begins after nightfall. At 8:00 pm, the Church gathers around a bonfire to light the Easter Candle and proclaim anew the Resurrection of our Lord. After the proclamation of the Word and renewal of our baptismal promises, the Church gathers for the first Eucharist of the Resurrection. For those who have not been to this celebration in some time, especially if they have little children, be advised that this celebration will last probably a bit longer than two hours.
Easter Sunday — The whole Church throughout the world gathers to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. Mass times at St. Anthony’s are the usual Sunday times: 8:00 am and 10:30 am. The Triduum ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
After Easter Sunday, the celebration of the Resurrection continues 50 full days, with the first eight days of Easter being a privileged ’octave’, ending in the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday the weekend after Easter. Each Sunday invites us to repeat the celebration of Easter Sunday with through and including the great Feast of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As important as Lent has been to the spiritual nourishment of the faithful, the Easter Season presents its own opportunities to encounter the grace and mercy of our Lord.