Fr. Tom’s Letters

Welcome to Holy Week at St. Anne’s! Today we hear the story of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. In honor of his procession to Jerusalem, we have the tradition of taking home palm branches as a yearlong reminder of our Christian faith. But we know that the sense of triumph is short-lived. During Holy Week we are reminded of the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and the suffering Jesus endures in the story of his Passion, Death, and Crucifixion. At the same time, there is an anticipation during Holy Week. We know when we return next Sunday, the sense of triumph returns as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, his triumph over death. Following are some of the highlights of our Holy Week observances and celebrations. You are invited to each of them and additional information for all of these can be found in today’s bulletin.

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 30

With all parishes of the diocese, our church will be open for confession from 2-4 and 6-9PM on this day. We have been celebrating Confession with the faith formation and parish school children these past several weeks. We have used the image that in confession children “dump” all their sins in God’s dumpster fire. Their sins become ash and with confession they get rid of all the guilt, embarrassment, and shame of sin in God’s dumpster fire. When asked what they bring home from confession, the children responded, “happiness, love, joy.” All of us would be happy with that exchange that confession provides as we receive God’s mercy, forgiveness, and absolution. Think about that exchange. I think we all desire that kind of “happiness, love, and joy” in our lives. Make time for confession tomorrow between 2-4 and 6-9.

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK, MARCH 31 – CHRISM MASS

At 4:00PM at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, Bishop Barres will join with the priests of the diocese to celebrate the gift of priesthood that is shared with all the Church. Part of this Mass includes the priests of the diocese renewing their priesthood promises. All of us are invited to support and pray with and for our priests at this special Mass. The mass concludes with the consecration of the sacred oils that are used in the sacraments through the year. Consider joining us for the Mass of Chrism on Tuesday. We will not have a 5:30PM Mass on Tuesday.

HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 2

There are no morning Masses on Holy Thursday. The day begins with Morning Prayer at 9:00AM followed by confessions. In the evening at 7:00PM, we have the concelebrated Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This Mass celebrates the gift of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus. At the conclusion of Mass there is a procession to the St. Francis Ministry Center with the Eucharist. A period of prayer and adoration concludes Holy Thursday. During the Mass, we have the traditional Washing of the feet, remembering how Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper.

GOOD FRIDAY – APRIL 3

Again the day begins with 9:00 Morning Prayer followed by confessions. Today is a solemn day. There is no Mass. At noon there is a Good Friday Prayer Service for children. At 3:00PM we have the traditional Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion and Death of the Lord. This afternoon service includes the Veneration of the Cross and the Reception of Holy Communion. Good Friday concludes with the 7:00PM Stations of the Cross. It is encouraged that we all try to attend one of these Good Friday gatherings as we capture the silence and solemnity that the Death of the Lord brings to us.

HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 4

Again the day begins with 9:00 Morning Prayer followed by confessions. At 10AM there is a Blessing of Easter Baskets, Eggs, and Food. The remainder of the day is a quiet one. At 8:00PM we gather for the Easter Vigil which includes the Easter Fire, 4 adult baptisms, and 4 additional adults receiving Easter Sacraments. The Easter Vigil introduces us to the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday that continues for 50 days until the Pentecost celebration on May 24.

EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 5

Masses for Easter are at 7:00, 8:30, 9:00, 10:00, 10:30, 11:45, and 1:15. To accommodate the traditionally large crowds of Easter we have added to the schedule a 10:30 Mass in the Saint Francis Ministry Center and a 1:15 Mass in the Church. Happy Easter to all!  Note: There is no 5:30PM Mass on Easter Sunday.

Peace be with you!