Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord – April 10th: The Passion of the Lord from Luke’s Gospel will be read in narrative form. Palms will be distributed at each Mass.
Holy Tuesday – April 12th: 7:30am Mass will be at Sacred Heart. The Archdiocesan Chrism Mass will be 2:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque. It is at this Mass that the Holy Oils used throughout the year are blest by Archbishop Jackels and distributed to the parishes. It is also the Mass where the Priests renew their vows. The Mass will be live streamed on the Archdiocesan website at dbqarch.org
Holy Wednesday – April 13th: 8am Mass will be at St. Luke.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation: Time for individual confessions will be offered on Palm Sunday, April 10th from noon to 1:30pm at St. Luke and again on Holy Wednesday, April 13th from 5:30-7:00pm at Sacred Heart.
Holy Thursday – April 14th: The Mass of the Lord’s Supper for both parishes will be held at St. Luke beginning at 7:30pm. This Mass reminds us of the gift of the Eucharist given to us the night before our Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross. The Holy Oils that were blest at the Chrism Mass are presented to the parishes at this Mass. The washing of the feet will follow the Homily. There will be a Eucharistic procession at the end of the Mass. The Altar will then be stripped and everyone departs in silence. The Mass does not end with a final blessing and sending forth, as it is the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, the Three Days.
Good Friday – April 15th: The Passion of the Lord will be 3:00pm at St. Luke and 7:00pm at Sacred Heart. We continue the Sacred Triduum by entering in silence and through listening again to our Lord’s Passion in the Gospel of John in narrative form. We will hear the General Intercessions of the Church as the Universal Church prays them together. There will be collections at both parishes for the support of the Holy Land. We will venerate the Wood of the Cross, which reminds us of the importance of the Cross for our salvation. It is still recommended to bow or genuflect instead of touch or kiss the Cross as you come up for the veneration. We will receive the Body of Christ that has been consecrated at Mass on Holy Thursday and again depart in silence. THIS IS A DAY OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE FOR EVERYONE OF ALL AGES, UNLESS THERE IS A MEDICAL REASON NOT TO FAST.
Holy Saturday – April 16th: The Easter Vigil for both parishes will be at Sacred Heart beginning at 8pm. The Paschal Candle, which leads us out of darkness and into the light will be blessed and lead us into the darkened Church. We hear the Exultet proclaimed and hear the Scriptures as they remind us of our relationship with God. We will hear the Gloria proclaimed along with the Epistle from St. Paul and the Gospel which reminds us of God’s eternal love for us. This year we have five adults who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. We also have the Baptisms of a young child and a newborn baby. All present will renew our Baptismal promises. Together we will celebrate at the Table of the Lord and depart proclaiming our praise to God.
Easter Sunday – April 17th: 8:30am Mass at Sacred Heart with overflow seating in the balcony, gathering space, and Newman Hall. There will also be 10:30am Mass at St. Luke with overflow seating available at the back of Church and in the Parish Office. We come together to celebrate the gift of new life in the Resurrection. We then take this gift of new life into the world to share as we begin the Easter Season.
May this most sacred of all weeks in the Church year be one of peace, reflection, and joy for you and your family. We hope you will join us during this most sacred time. God bless your Easter Journey as we go forward to the great Feast of Pentecost and the birth of God’s Church in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Happy Easter!